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Pope Appoints New Grand Rapids Bishop

Posted at 8:09 AM, Apr 18, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-18 08:13:11-04
4.18 bishop

John Walkowiak will become the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Pope Francis has appointed Bishop-elect David John Walkowiak to be the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

The Vatican announced Thursday morning that Walkowiak will join the 82 parishes and 182,000 Catholics in West Michigan. He is currently a priest of the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio.

“I am grateful to Pope Francis for entrusting me with this apostolic office as bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids,” Walkowiak said in a statement.

You can watch a press conference to introduce him online at 10 a.m. His ordination and installation will take place June 18.

Current bishop Walter Hurley submitted his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 at age 75, as required by canon law. He served as bishop for nearly 8 years. He plans to continue living in Grand Rapids, and to help the new bishop as needed.