Bishop of Wichita
Carl Allan Kemme was born on August 14, 1960, in Effingham, in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. After attending Beecher City Community Grade School and Beecher City Community High School, he entered Saint Henry’s Preparatory Seminary in Belleville, Illinois. He pursued his ecclesiastical studies at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Springfield, Illinois (1978–1980), Cardinal Glennon College Seminary (1980–1982), and Kenrick Major Seminary (1982–1986) in St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois on May 10, 1986. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: Parochial Vicar at Saint Patrick Parish in Decatur (1986–1989), Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville (1989–1990), and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield (1990–1992); Pastor of Saint Mary Parish in Brussels, Saint Joseph Parish in Meppen, and Saint Barbara Parish in Batchtown (1992–1996); Pastor of Holy Family Parish in Decatur (1996–2002); Parochial Administrator of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Parish in Mt. Zion (1996–1997); Vicar Forane of the Decatur Deanery (2001–2002); Priest-Moderator of Saint James Parish in Decatur (2001–2003); Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia (2002–2009); Pastor of Saint Peter Parish in Petersburg (2002–2005) and Saint John Vianney Parish in Sherman (2005–2012); and Diocesan Administrator (2009–2010). Since 2010, he has served as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. In 2002, he was named a Prelate of Honor to His Holiness.