Knoxville — Bishop Richard Stika is doing well after a heart procedure performed Wednesday morning.
The Diocese of Knoxville said they had received "very encouraging news" from Parkwest Medical Center after Bishop Stika's heart catheterization procedure.
One vessel was 99 percent blocked, so the doctor performed an angioplasty and inserted a stent. The Bishop was hospitalized overnight as a precaution and released Thursday morning.
"The bishop has extended his thanks and appreciation for all of the prayers he has received during this time," the Diocese said in a statement.
After he was released, he returned to the Chancery for a brief visit.
“I feel good, and I am grateful for the prayers I received and the great care that was provided to me while I underwent this procedure,” Bishop Stika said. “I am ready for baseball season.”
Bishop Stika is immediately resuming his normal schedule which includes two Masses this weekend in Knoxville and a Mass in Chattanooga on Monday.
“The doctor told me to not lift anything heavy for a while, but I don’t think that will stop me from carrying my crozier, my pastoral staff,” Bishop Stika joked.
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Knoxville Bishop Richard F. Stika will undergo a heart procedure next month, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville announced Monday.
The bishop, age 61, said in a released statement he anticipates being held in the hospital one night and hopes to be celebrating Mass before Christmas.
In 2009, the bishop suffered what was termed a "mild" heart attack while in Florida on a trip. He's previously had bypass surgery.
Dec. 13 is the target date for the heart catheterization, a diagnostic method for examining the heart, according to the diocese. Placement of a stent may resolve his heart problem.
A stress test during a recent checkup indicated the need for further exam, according to the diocese.
The St. Louis native and diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan is canceling a mid December trip to the Midwest so that he can have the procedure.
"During this time of continued evaluation, and as the date of the procedure approaches, I request that you please pray for me, for my doctors and for my quick recovery," the bishop said in the statement.
