Joseph R. Cistone, the new bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw, speaks during his introductory press conference at the Center for Ministry in Saginaw Township. The Saginaw News.

On Wednesday, Pope Benedict XVI named an auxiliary bishop from Philadelphia - Joseph Cistone - to replace Robert Carlson as the new bishop of Saginaw, Mich. The pope named Carlson archbishop-elect of St. Louis just four weeks ago - nine months after he named former St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke to a prominent Vatican position.

Carlson’s installation is scheduled for June 10.

“It was a great surprise to find out the Holy Father was entrusting me to serve as a diocesan bishop,” said the 60-year-old  Cistone, at his news conference in Saginaw Wednesday, according to the Saginaw News. “The speed of the announcement took me by surprise, too.”

The News gave a hint of Carlson’s trademark sense of humor,

Leader in Saginaw for four years, Carlson introduced Cistone to a stunned crowd of about 50 at a press conference at the Center for Ministry, 5802 Weiss in Saginaw Township early Wednesday.

“It’s been mentioned that I’m the first bishop to leave the (Saginaw) diocese alive, so, good luck, Bishop Joe!” joked Carlson, referring to three predecessors — Bishops William F. Murphy, Stephen S. Woznicki and Untener — who died in office. Actually, the diocese’s third leader, Bishop Francis F. Reh, served for 12 years before retiring in 1980. He died in 1994.

According to the News, in Saginaw Cistone will lead 106 parishes, 75 active priests, 38 retirees, 106 nuns, 324 commissioned lay ministers and 17 permanent deacons.

Cistone is a Philadelphia native, and his boss is Cardinal Justin Rigali, the former archbishop of St. Louis, who is also a member of the Vatican’s powerful Congregation for Bishops, which helps the pope decide on diocesan leadership.