An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned by the Holy See to assist a resident bishop or archbishop in the pastoral care and administration of a diocese. Auxiliary bishops help administer the sacraments, especially confirmation, and often represent the resident bishop at various types of functions. Although an auxiliary bishop has the fullness of holy orders, he does not have the same degree of jurisdiction or governing power as the resident bishop. He does not have the automatic right of succession when the resident bishop dies, is transferred or retires. In some dioceses, auxiliary bishops are given charge of either specific territories within the diocese or special areas of ministry, such as ministry to ethnic groups. All auxiliary bishops are given what is called a “titular diocese.” This is a diocese that once existed but has since been suppressed by the Holy See. Thus, the auxiliary is bishop of a diocese in title only. The reason for this is that historically a bishop is supposed to be the head of a diocese. Like all bishops, auxiliaries are required to submit their resignation to the pope when they turn 75. (From “Our Sunday Visitor’s Catholic Encyclopedia”) Auxiliary bishops of Chicago Alexander J. McGavick (1898-1921); 1921- bishop of LaCrosse; died 1948 Peter J. Muldoon (1901-1908); 1908-first bishop of Rockford; died 1927 Paul P. Rhode (1908-1915); 1915-bishop of Green Bay; died 1945 Edward F. Hoban (1921-1928); 1928-bishop of Rockford; 1945-archbishop of Cleveland; died 1966 Bernard J. Sheil (1928-1969); died 1969 William D. O’Brien (1934-1962); died 1962 William E. Cousins (1948-1952); 1952- bishop of Peoria; 1958-1977-archbishop of Milwaukee; died 1988 Raymond P. Hillinger (1956-1971); died 1971 Aloysius J. Wycislo (1960-1968); 1968-bishop of Green Bay; 1983-retired; died 2005 Cletus F. O’Donnell (1960-1967); 1967-bishop of Madison, Wisconsin; died 1992 John L. May (1967-1969); 1969-bishop of Mobile, Alabama; 1980-archbishop of St. Louis; died 1994 Thomas J. Grady (1967-1974); 1974-1990- bishop of Orlando; died 2002 William E. McManus (1967-1976); 1976-bishop of Fort Wayne/South Bend; 1984-retired; died 1997 Alfred L. Abramowicz (1968-1995); died 1999 Michael R. Dempsey (1968-1974); died 1974 Nevin W. Hayes, O.Carm. (1971-1988); died 1988 Timothy J. Lyne (1983-1995); died 2013 John G. Vlazny (1983-1987); 1987-bishop of Winona, Minnesota; 1997-archbishop of Portland; 2013-retired Placido Rodriguez, CMF (1983-1994); 1994-bishop of Lubbock, Texas; 2016-retired Wilton D. Gregory (1983-1994); 1994-bishop of Belleville; 2005-archbishop of Atlanta Thad J. Jakubowski (1988-2003); died 2013 John R. Gorman (1988-2003) Raymond E. Goedert (1991-2003) Edwin M. Conway (1995-2004); died 2004 Gerald F. Kicanas (1995-2001); 2001-coadjutor bishop of Tucson; 2003-bishop of Tucson; 2017-retired George V. Murry, SJ (1995-1999); 1999-bishop of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; 2007-bishop of Youngstown, Ohio John R. Manz (1996-present) Joseph N. Perry (1998-present) Jerome E. Listecki (2000- 2005); 2004-bishop of LaCrosse; 2010-archbishop of Milwaukee Francis J. Kane (2003-2018) Thomas J. Paprocki (2003-2010); 2010-bishop of Springfield Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS (2003-2010); 2010-archbishop of San Antonio George J. Rassas (2006-2018) Alberto Rojas (2011-present) Andrew P. Wypych (2011-present)
Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Goedert dies at 96 Retired Auxiliary Bishop Raymond E. Goedert, 96, died Dec. 9. “As we grieve the death of Bishop Emeritus Raymond Goedert, we thank God for giving his servant to us and the Church for 71 years,” said Cardinal Cupich.
Bishop Joseph Perry: Humble servant with pastor’s heart When asked to describe Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry, four people who worked closely with him on local and national levels used similar terms, calling him a humble, intelligent bishop of great faith who leads with a pastor’s heart.
Bishop Andrew Wypych reflects on vocation Auxiliary Bishop Andrew P. Wypych might have resigned from ministry in September, but he is clear that he has not retired from being a bishop.