Pope Francis has appointed the Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley, Bishop Emeritus of Grand Rapids, as Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Gaylord, effective immediately. As the newly appointed apostolic administrator, Bishop Hurley will serve as the provisional shepherd by addressing the spiritual needs and governing the diocese during this time of transition until the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord is appointed by the Holy See.
Bishop Hurley’s appointment is subsequent to the appointment and the June 23rd installation of the Most Reverend Bishop Steven J. Raica as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama. Bishop Raica had served as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord since 2014.
Bishop Hurley was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1965 and was ordained the 22nd auxiliary bishop of Detroit in 2003. He continued to serve in the Archdiocese until 2005, when he was installed as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He served as Bishop of Grand Rapids for nearly eight years, until his retirement in 2013. Bishop Hurley is well known for his work with Catholic Charities West Michigan, for establishing FAITH Grand Rapids magazine, and orchestrating the development and construction of Cathedral Square in Grand Rapids.
Following his retirement, Bishop Hurley returned to the Archdiocese of Detroit, assisting with work in the chancery and at parishes. In October 2018, Bishop Hurley was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Saginaw following the sudden death of Most Reverend Joseph Cistone. Bishop Hurley served the Diocese of Saginaw until the installation of Bishop Robert Gruss in July 2019. To read Bishop Hurley’s full biography, click here.
(Adapted from the Diocese of Gaylord’s press release)
