JUNEAU, Alaska — Monsignor Edward J. Burns, a rector from Pittsburgh, was introduced Monday as the next bishop of the Diocese of Juneau.

Burns succeeds Bishop Michael W. Warfel, who left Juneau just over a year ago for a similar assignment in Montana.

Burns arrived in Juneau Sunday afternoon just in time to watch his favorite NFL team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, win the AFC championship and to meet members of the community.

He received formal introduction at a news conference Monday morning. Burns told a small crowd he is "excited about meeting the faithful of all parishes and missions from the Juneau Diocese."

"It is with profound gratitude to our Holy Father for his confidence in me to lead this diocese and with great humility that I have accepted this challenge," Burns said.

Unlike the corporate world, clergy don't apply for promotions, they simply receive their next assignments. In Burns' case, he said he didn't learn of the news until a few days before Christmas.

"I had just begun an assignment as rector of St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh and we are in the midst of an academic year, so surprise is definitely a factor," he said.

The Juneau diocese has about 7,300 Catholics in 11 parishes, served by nine priests, three deacons and two other clergy.

Burns has visited the Juneau area three times before his appointment, including once to serve at a parish that did not have a priest during Holy Week three years ago. The church was St. Rose of Lima in Wrangell, about 150 miles south of Juneau.

Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik said the Juneau diocese will get a gregarious man whose enthusiasm for the faith is contagious.

But Burns also brings a no-nonsense approach, unafraid to speak of tough issues facing the church such as the recent allegations of child sexual abuse by priests.

"In light of the some of the issues facing the church, you face them head on, and absolutely with a level of responsibility," Burns said.

"It's important to echo the words of Pope John Paul II," Burns said. "He said 'there is no room in the priesthood for anyone who would harm a child.'"