Vatican City, Feb 28, 2018 / 05:36 am
Bishop George Leo Thomas, who until now has led the Diocese of Helena, will be taking the reins in Las Vegas, bringing with him broad pastoral experience and expertise in psychology, mental health issues, mission work and prison ministry.
In the Feb. 28 announcement from the Vatican, it was noted that Bishop Thomas of will be taking over for Bishop Joseph Anthony Pepe, who has led the Diocese of Las Vegas since 2001, but is now stepping into retirement at age 75.
Thomas, 67, was born May 19, 1950 in Anaconda, Montana as the second of five children. He was raised in Butte where he attended Catholic school, graduating from Christian Brothers High School in 1968.
He received a degree in literature from Carroll College in 1972 before entering St. Thomas Seminary in Washington as a student with the Archdiocese of Seattle. He obtained a master of divinity degree there before being ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1976 in Seattle.