Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Edward M. Lohse, 61, vicar general of the Diocese of Erie and pastor of St. Julia Parish, Erie, as the fifth bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan. The appointment was announced today by the Holy See at noon (6 am EST).
A news conference introducing Bishop-elect Lohse in the Diocese of Kalamazoo will be available this morning at 10 am at www.diokzoo.org. The ordination and installation of the new bishop is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at St. Augustine Cathedral, Kalamazoo.
“As a diocese, we rejoice at this honor for one of our fine priests,” the Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, bishop of Erie, said in a statement this morning. “It is a testament to the clergy of the Diocese of Erie. Although it is difficult to lose one of our priests who has served with great faith, wisdom and hope, we rejoice with the church of Kalamazoo on their new shepherd.”
Bishop-elect Lohse will succeed Bishop Paul Bradley, who, as required by church law, submitted his resignation to the Holy Father when he turned 75, in October 2020. Bishop Bradley has served the diocese since June 5, 2009, and will continue as apostolic administrator until Bishop-elect Lohse’s ordination.
“With thanksgiving to our loving God and with deep gratitude to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, our diocese’s wait for our new shepherd has yielded a wonderful gift in the selection of Bishop-elect Edward M. Lohse as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo,” Bishop Bradley said in sharing the news. “We welcome him with open arms and hearts filled with joy. May he walk with us, teaching us and leading us in the ways of hope-filled disciples of our Risen Lord.”
