LEXINGTON — The Rev. Robert H. Nieberding is putting his plans of retirement on hold to replace the former bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington.

        “This whole thing stems from my concept of what a priest should do,” said Father Nieberding, 70, who has been pastor of Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary and principal of Lexington Catholic High School.

        Father Nieberding celebrated his retirement Sunday with about 600 people at a Mass and reception at Keeneland's Keene Barn. He has been a Roman Catholic priest for 46 years. His retirement would have been effective in August, according to the Lexington diocese.

        In his newest role, he will serve more than 46,000 Catholics in the 50 counties that make up the Diocese of Lexington. He was elected Tuesday to serve as administrator, a temporary post in which he will be the head of the diocese until it gets a new bishop.

        Bishop J. Kendrick Williams, 65, the only bishop of the diocese since it was created in 1988, said Tuesday he had resigned. He said he stepped down so the diocese could move on while he faces three allegations of sexual abuse going back to his years as a priest in the Louisville archdiocese. He has said the accusations are false.

        Father Nieberding said he accepted his new job because it's in keeping with his vows. He said he will travel throughout the diocese, as Mr. Williams did, and will try to bolster and counsel Catholics who are disenchanted by the sex scandal.

        Father Nieberding said he is “very saddened” by Mr. Williams' resignation, but he believes in the former bishop's innocence.

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