KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Pope Francis has appointed 61-year-old Edward M. Lohse to lead the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo as its fifth bishop.
This comes after 77-year-old Bishop Paul J. Bradley resigned from the role in October 2020. Bradley will serve as apostolic administrator until Lohse is ordained.
Bishop-elect Lohse is a moderator of the curia and vicar general at the Diocese of Erie, according to the diocese. He is scheduled to be ordained at St. Augustine Cathedral on Tuesday, July 25.
“I am both humbled and honored to be asked by the Holy Father to become the fifth Bishop of Kalamazoo, and I am grateful to Bishop Bradley for his support,” says Bishop-elect Lohse. “The task ahead is a daunting one, but none of us walks the path of faith alone. I know that I will need to count on the prayers of Bishop Bradley, the priests, religious and laity of the diocese, and I pledge my prayers for them in return. Together, we will go forward to proclaim Christ, and to meet him in the hearts of all God’s people in the Diocese of Kalamazoo.”
We’re told Bishop-elect Lohse was ordained as a priest on April 21, 1989. Since then, Pope Francis recognized him as a Chaplain to his Holiness in 2015, and he has carried on numerous assignments for the Diocese of Erie and the Vatican.
He has also served as the director of the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, and as vocation director at the Diocese of Erie, officials say.
Bishop David J. Walkowiak of the Diocese of Grand Rapids issued the following statement:
“We rejoice with the faithful of the Diocese of Kalamazoo as they receive news today of the appointment of Monsignor Edward Lohse as the fifth bishop of their diocese. On behalf of the clergy and Catholics throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids, I offer congratulations to Bishop-elect Lohse and the people of the Kalamazoo Diocese whom he has been called upon to serve. I look forward to welcoming him as he begins his episcopal mission and ministry and joins with the Catholic Bishops of Michigan in our work together.
“Join me in offering prayers and support for Bishop-elect Lohse as he prepares for his ordination and installation on July 25.”
