GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) — A monsignor from Omaha has been installed as the new Roman Catholic bishop for the Grand Island Diocese.

Bishop Joseph Hanefeldt took office on Thursday during a ceremony at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He replaces Bishop William Dendinger, who retired upon reaching his 75th birthday, as is required of all bishops. Dendinger had held the post since 2004.

The diocese covers more than 42,000 square miles in central and western Nebraska.

Hanefeldt was born in Creighton and grew up on an 800-acre farm near Center. He’d been the pastor of Omaha’s Christ the King Parish since 2012.