Pope appoints new Bishop of Belleville, USA

By Vatican News

Pope has appointed Father Michael McGovern Bishop of Belleville Diocese following the resignation of Bishop Edward K. Braxton. Bishop Braxton headed the diocese since 2005 and resigned after reaching the retirement age of 75.

Father McGovern, 55, is currently the interim Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate I, Dean of Deanery 1 – A, and Pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish, Old Mill Creek, Illinois.

Biography

Father Michael McGovern was born on 1 July 1964 in Chicago, USA.

He obtained his philosophy degree from Loyola University, Chicago in 1986 and studied at DePaul University School of Law from 1988 – 1990. Father McGovern entered the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary, Mundelein, Illinois in 1990 and graduated in 1994.

He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on 21 May 1994 by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.

Since his ordination, Father McGovern has served as Parish Vicar for the Queen of the Universe Parish, Chicago (1995 – 1998), Saint Mary Parish, Lake Forest (1998 – 1999), and St. Juliana Parish, Chicago (2003 – 2004). He worked in the Office of the Chancellor as Assistant Chancellor from 1998 – 1999 and then Vice Chancellor from 1999 – 2000. From 2000 – 2002, he served as the Delegate of the Archbishop for foreign priests who were studying or working in Chicago parishes.

Fr. McGovern also served as Parish Priest at Saint Mary Parish, Lake Forest (2004 – 2016), and Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish, Old Mill Creek (2016 until now). He was appointed Dean of Deanery 1-A (2007), and interim Episcopal Vicar of Vicariate I (2020). He was a member of the College of Consultors (2009) and the Presbyterial Council (2001).