American Catholic Communities: Our Diocesan Bishop

BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Bishop Robert Lyons, our diocesan shepherd, has served small parishes and church plants as pastor, religious orders as priest-visitor, and in hospice, hospital, and nursing home as chaplain for over twenty-five years. He resides in Greenwood, Indiana with his wife and three children.

Consecrated in 2022, Bishop Rob assumed the role of diocesan bishop the following year. He is passionate about reverent and engaging worship, pastoral care on the margins, and the development of strong ministries to serve God and his people, whatever their circumstances may be. His Episcopal Motto is "No Longer I... But Christ."

COAT OF ARMS

Bishop Rob's episcopal coat of arms, seen to the right, is rich in meaning:

I. CENTRAL ELEMENTS

GALERO - The galero is the traditional daily-wear hat of a bishop, though it’s use these days is generally restricted to heraldry. Green is the ecclesiastical color of a bishop. The twelve tassels are said to represent the twelve apostles.

CROSS - The cross is a symbol of Christ, made more explicit with the five rubies, representing the five wounds of Christ. Ancient liturgical practice often saw a cross such as this precede a bishop in procession.

SCROLL - The scroll bears the motto of the bishop, which is intended to speak to some aspect of the bishop’s self-understood identity, an aspect of devotion, etc. Some bishops choose prayer texts, hymn verses, or other significant phrases. Most choose a passage of Sacred Scripture. My passage is drawn from Galatians 2:20, by way of the song “No Longer I” by John Michael Talbot.

SHIELD - The most prominent portion of the design, this is an area where - with signs and symbols - a message is conveyed. For some bishops, it is a place for family history and faith to blend, for others it’s a place to represent specific theological concepts they aspire to faithfully convey through their ministry.

II. THE SHIELD'S STORY

Here is the story, told from bottom to top, in Bishop Rob's own words:

"Our journey begins in Baptismal waters, and winds through life. In that life we are nourished with the gifts of wheat and grape in the Eucharist, Jesus’ covenant meal, our food for the journey. At times, the path dips… avoids rough contours… and may, in the sight of some, disappear. We all have challenges and doubts that arise. God is big enough for that. Ultimately, we look to the hills, and beyond, for our help; and our path must rise up to meet Christ, the Daystar, who shines his light upon all.

"This is the journey of faith. It’s a road that I, as bishop, am expected to guide others along in a particular way. By virtue of my role, I have a special ministry to confirm and strengthen the faith of the priests and deacons who serve with me in shepherding others along that pathway. Yet, I too remain a fellow traveler... needing, like all, my own viaticum - food for the journey."

CURRICULUM VIATE

EDUCATION

1996-1997 - Theological Licentiate, Workers of the Infant Jesus
2002-2004 - Bachelors of Divinity, Saint Alcuin House Seminary
2004-2005 - Masters of Divinity, Saint Alcuin House Seminary
2015 - Clinical Pastoral Education, Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training
2015-2016 - Professional Certification Program, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
2017-2018 - Supervisory Clinical Pastoral Education, Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training

ORDINATION

1997 - Diaconate (+Richard Johnson - Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada)
1997 - Presbyterate (+Richard Johnson - Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada)
2022 - Episcopate (+Todd Bell, +Bernard Benedict, and +Charles Huckaby - COICC)

HEALTH CARE MINISTRIES

1998-2003 - Volunteer Chaplain, Miller's Merry Manor, Middletown, IN
1999-2000 - Chaplain, HospiceCare Inc., New Castle, IN
2000-Present - Chaplain Manager and CPE Supervisor, Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis, IN
2014-Present - Volunteer Chaplain, Aspen Trace, Greenwood, IN

CONGREGATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

1997-2003 - Vicar, Triumph of the Cross / Saint Alban's, Madison County, IN
2003-2005 - Pastor, Bread of Life Church, Indianapolis, IN
2004-2005 - Visiting Chaplain, Cloistered Heart Franciscans, Sparta, TN
2005-2006 - Associate Pastor, Church of the Transfiguration, Anderson, IN
2007-2008 - Visiting Priest, Saint Paul the Apostle Evangelical Orthodox Church, Greenwood, IN
2010-2012 - Pastor, Saint Boniface Church, Johnson County, IN
2017-Present - Pastor, Saint Mary's Church, Greenwood, IN

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

2016 - Board Certified Chaplain, Association of Certified Christian Chaplains
2017 - Certified Mind-Body Medicine Practitioner, The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
2017 - Board Certified Chaplain, Spiritual Care Association
2018 - Board Certified Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor, Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

2024 - Doctor of Divnity (Honoris Causa) - Saint Stephen Harding Theologial College and Seminary