OUR BISHOPS

The TEC Conference enjoys a close and long-standing relationship with many bishops who pray for the TEC Movement and support its growth in their local dioceses.

EPISCOPAL MODERATOR

Bishop John C. Iffert

Bishop John C. Iffert is the Bishop of Covington, KY, and the Episcopal Moderator of the TEC Conference. In that role, he counsels and offers guidance to the TEC Conference and helps to promote and represent TEC with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Bishop Iffert was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Wilton Gregory for the Diocese of Belleville on June 7, 1997. After priestly ordination, Bishop Iffert served in several parish assignments in the Diocese of Belleville. He also served as a member of the diocesan personnel board, Defender of the Bond for the Tribunal, Spiritual Moderator for the Belleville Deanery CYO, and Spiritual Director for Belleville TEC. In August 2003, he entered the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and served at the St. Thomas Catholic Center at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. In 2008, his temporary vows with the Dominicans expired, and he returned to the Diocese of Belleville.

On September 30, 2021, he was consecrated Bishop of Covington. Throughout his vocation, his involvement with TEC has been a blessing for the movement. From serving his local community to being a member of the national Spirituality Ministry Team, he has served the TEC family in a variety of ways, and that work continues now as our Episcopal Moderator.


BISHOPS' SUPPORT

  • “The Teens Encounter Christ movement has been a blessing to the Church in New Orleans and beyond as it for decades has faithfully led adolescents and young adults into a deeper appreciation of the Paschal Mystery, a deeper love for the Church, and a deeper relationship with the Lord Jesus. TEC has also been a blessing in bringing forth vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and calling forth dedicated lay people to be co-workers in the Lord’s vineyard. It has strengthened parish life and the archdiocesan Church, even as it exists as a special movement of its own, an important aspect in building the Body of Christ.”

    Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond
    Archbishop of New Orleans
    Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond<br> Archbishop of New Orleans picture
  • “I have seen firsthand how young people are transformed by the TEC experience. They are renewed in their faith and equipped to grow into adulthood as prospering Catholics.”

    His Eminence Blase J. Cardinal Cupich
    Archbishop of Chicago
    His Eminence Blase J. Cardinal Cupich<br> Archbishop of Chicago picture
  • "We know from the Scriptures that Jesus wanted the young to come to Him. One of the great blessings for the Church these days is the Teens Encounter Christ movement, which is the embodiment of the Church’s desire to imitate Christ’s love for youth and His outreach to them."

    Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
    Archbishop of Philadelphia
    Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.<br> Archbishop of Philadelphia picture
  • "I am happy, as in the past, to offer my endorsement of the TEC retreat movement. I know of no more valuable tool of the Church to reinforce Catholic belief and values than TEC. It was of great personal help to me during my own college seminary days, and without hesitation, I invite all to support this worthy plan for the spiritual life and apostolic work of young Catholics and interested Christians everywhere."

    Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory
    Archbishop of Washington, DC
    Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory<br> Archbishop of Washington, DC picture
  • "For many years, TEC has brought literally thousands of young people closer to our Lord through its retreat program. During that time, I have had the joy of seeing countless young men and women return to help others experience the love of Jesus Christ. It is this willingness to give of themselves to the community that I believe is the greatest endorsement any endeavor can receive. I assure you that the use of this program in any diocese will only ensure the future of the Church and of the world in the hands of young, faith-filled Catholic believers."

    Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC
    Bishop of Peoria
    Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, CSC<br> Bishop of Peoria picture
  • "In the early years of the movement, I was involved in TEC while a chaplain at the United States Military Academy, West Point. In the intervening years and up to the present I have been most impressed by the ripple effect which TEC has had throughout the army and, in fact, all of our military services. It is solid in its Christ-centered approach and sacramental stress. May I recommend the TEC Movement, wholeheartedly, to any pastors or youth ministers who are interested in an evangelization initiative which has the potential to enliven the faith of young and older alike!"

    His Eminence Edwin F. Cardinal O’Brien
    Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
    His Eminence Edwin F. Cardinal O’Brien<br> Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem picture
  • "TEC is a powerful tool for the evangelization of youth and adults working with youth. I am grateful for its many fruits."

    Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley
    Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
    Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley<br> Archdiocese of Oklahoma City picture
  • "The TEC experience strengthens a young person's relationship with Jesus Christ while also fortifying the sense of participating in a faith community. TEC as a movement builds both faith and community."

    Most Reverend Roger L. Schwietz, OMI
    Archbishop Emeritus of Anchorage
    Most Reverend Roger L. Schwietz, OMI<br> Archbishop Emeritus of Anchorage picture

BISHOPS' COMMITTEE

The Bishops’ Committee exists as an expression of solidarity of bishops in support of the TEC Movement. The group is committed to praying for and promoting TEC among their brother bishops. We are grateful for their prayers and donations.
Most Rev. John C. Iffert picture

Most Rev. John C. Iffert

Bishop of Covington
His Eminence Blase J. Cardinal Cupich picture

His Eminence Blase J. Cardinal Cupich

Archbishop of Chicago
His Eminence Daniel N. Cardinal DiNardo picture

His Eminence Daniel N. Cardinal DiNardo

Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
His Eminence Wilton D. Cardinal Gregory picture

His Eminence Wilton D. Cardinal Gregory

Archbishop of Washington, DC
His Eminence Seán P. Cardinal O'Malley picture

His Eminence Seán P. Cardinal O'Malley

Archbishop of Boston
Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila picture

Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila

Archbishop of Denver
Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond picture

Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond

Archbishop of New Orleans
Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair picture

Most Rev. Leonard P. Blair

Archbishop of Hartford
Most Rev. Earl A. Boyea, Jr. picture

Most Rev. Earl A. Boyea, Jr.

Bishop of Lansing
Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan picture

Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan

Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston
Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio picture

Most Rev. Timothy P. Broglio

Archbishop for the Military Services, USA
Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone picture

Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone

Archbishop of San Francisco
Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre picture

Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre

Archbishop of Louisville
Most Rev. James R. Golka picture

Most Rev. James R. Golka

Bishop of Colorado Springs
Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer picture

Most Rev. Gregory J. Hartmayer

Archbishop of Atlanta
Most Rev. Alfred C. Hughes picture

Most Rev. Alfred C. Hughes

Archbishop Emeritus of New Orleans
Most Rev. James V. Johnston, Jr. picture

Most Rev. James V. Johnston, Jr.

Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph, MO
Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme picture

Most Rev. Carl A. Kemme

Bishop of Wichita
Most Rev. Donald J. Kettler picture

Most Rev. Donald J. Kettler

Bishop of St. Cloud
Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz picture

Most Rev. Joseph E. Kurtz

Archbishop Emeritus of Louisville
Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic picture

Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic

Bishop of Cleveland
Most Rev. David J. Malloy picture

Most Rev. David J. Malloy

Bishop of Rockford
Most Rev. Michael G. McGovern picture

Most Rev. Michael G. McGovern

Bishop of Belleville
Most Rev. W. Shawn McKnight picture

Most Rev. W. Shawn McKnight

Bishop of Jefferson City
Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann picture

Most Rev. Joseph F. Naumann

Archbishop of Kansas City, KS
Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki picture

Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki

Bishop of Springfield
Most Rev. John M. Quinn picture

Most Rev. John M. Quinn

Bishop Emeritus of Winona-Rochester
Most Rev. Steven J. Raica picture

Most Rev. Steven J. Raica

Bishop of Birmingham
Most Rev. David L. Ricken picture

Most Rev. David L. Ricken

Bishop of Green Bay
Most Rev. Roger L. Schwietz picture

Most Rev. Roger L. Schwietz

Archbishop Emeritus of Anchorage
Most Rev. Joseph M. Siegel picture

Most Rev. Joseph M. Siegel

Bishop of Evansville
Most Rev. Louis Tylka picture

Most Rev. Louis Tylka

Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria
Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez picture

Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez

Bishop of Austin
Most Rev. Jeffrey J. Walsh picture

Most Rev. Jeffrey J. Walsh

Bishop of Gaylord
Most Rev. Thomas G. Wenski picture

Most Rev. Thomas G. Wenski

Archbishop of Miami
Most Rev. Michael G. Woost picture

Most Rev. Michael G. Woost

Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland
Most Rev. Thomas R. Zinkula picture

Most Rev. Thomas R. Zinkula

Bishop of Davenport
Most Rev. David A. Zubik picture

Most Rev. David A. Zubik

Bishop of Pittsburgh
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