The Diocese of Green Bay became vacant today (Sept. 28) when Bishop David A. Zubik was installed as the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

According to the Code of Canon Law (law of the Catholic Church), an administrator is either named by the Holy Father or elected by the diocesan College of Consultors, a group of priests who advise the local bishop on diocesan matters, when a diocese becomes vacant.

The Most Reverend Robert F. Morneau, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay, and other diocesan leaders offered reflections about Archbishop Dolan's appointment.

“On behalf of the Diocese of Green Bay, I warmly welcome the Archbishop as our Administrator and look forward to working with him to continue to advance God’s mission in this Diocese,” said Bishop Morneau, who is the pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez and a member of several key advisory councils for the Diocese.

Also extending a welcome to Archbishop Dolan were Deacon Timothy Reilly, Diocesan Director of Administration, and Father John Doerfler, Diocesan Chancellor, who will work closely with the Archbishop on the day-to-day operations, especially the major initiatives that are underway. Deacon Reilly gave five examples.

“We have begun Wave III of our diocesan-wide Advancing the Mission Stewardship Campaign. We are rolling out a three-year education plan for religious education and Catholic schools with the involvement of numerous diocesan-wide committees and all 160 parishes. We are fully engaged in the Faith Alive project for collaborative ministry in the Greater Green Bay Area. Catholic Charities is in the midst of the re-accreditation process. And we have implemented a balanced budget for the third consecutive year,” said Deacon Reilly.

No one knows for certain when the Holy Father will name the 12th Bishop of Green Bay; however, Father Doerfler said Catholics should expect little or no interruptions in the Diocese’s day-to-day pastoral ministry support to parishes and schools as well as its administrative operations. For example, all major liturgical celebrations such as Confirmations will proceed as scheduled, and all diocesan boards of directors will continue to operate uninterrupted since their bylaws allow for an administrator to lead while the diocese is vacant.

Archbishop Dolan, age 57, has been the leader of the Archdiocese since Aug. 28, 2002. Ordained a priest in 1976, he worked as an associate pastor for several years in Missouri before earning a doctorate from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He has served the Catholic Church on the national level, first as secretary to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., (1987-1992), then as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome (1994-2001). On the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood he was named the Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis.

The Catholic Diocese of Green Bay works to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ by helping people in need and by providing academic, leadership and spiritual formation opportunities to parish and school leaders. Established in 1868, the Diocese is composed of 350,000 Catholics in 16 counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.