Godfrey Mullen
Godfrey Mullen | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Belleville | |
| Church | |
| Diocese | Belleville |
| Appointed | March 13, 2026 |
| Installed | May 1, 2026 |
| Predecessor | Michael George McGovern |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 5, 1994 by Daniel M. Buechlein |
| Consecration | May 1, 2026 by Blase Cupich, Michael George McGovern, and James Golka |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 22, 1966 |
| Motto | God loves a cheerful giver[1] |
| Styles of Godfrey Mullen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Godfrey Mullen, OSB (born January 22, 1966) is an American Catholic prelate who is currently serving as the Bishop of Belleville.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Mullen was born in Alton, Illinois on January 22, 1966. Mullen earned a bachelor's degree in history (1988), a master's degree in theology (1991), and a master of divinity (1994) from St. Meinrad College in Indiana. He later completed a Ph.D. in liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America in 2003. He joined Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana and professed solemn vows as a member of the Order of Saint Benedict on August 15, 1992.[3]
Priesthood
[edit]Mullen was ordained a priest on June 5, 1994, and served in many positions in the Diocese of Evansville, including as rector of St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, where he also served as dean of the South Deanery and administrator pro tempore of Resurrection Catholic Church.[4] He also held the roles of vicar general and moderator of the curia for the diocese.[4]
Mullen later moved to the Diocese of Belleville, where he became rector of the Cathedral of Saint Peter and served as pastor of both Blessed Sacrament Parish and Queen of Peace Parish.[5] He has also published several articles and books on liturgical topics.[4]
On March 31, 2025, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Michael McGovern of Belleville as the sixth Archbishop of Omaha, creating a vacancy in the diocese.[6] On May 9, 2025, the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Belleville elected Mullen as diocesan administrator to lead the diocese until a new bishop was appointed.[7]
Episcopal career
[edit]Bishop of Belleville
[edit]On March 13, 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed Mullen the tenth Bishop of Belleville. The appointment was announced in Washington, D.C., by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.[8][4][9] He received his episcopal consecration on May 1, 2026, from Cardinal Blase Cupich, with Archbishops Michael George McGovern and James Golka serving as co-consecrators.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Coat of Arms". Diocese of Belleville. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ^ "Pope Leo XIV appoints Reverend Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B., as Bishop of Belleville". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. March 13, 2026. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
- ^ "Pope Leo XIV Appoints Reverend Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B., as Bishop of Belleville". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Pope Leo XIV Appoints Reverend Godfrey Mullen, O.S.B., as Bishop of Belleville". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. March 13, 2026. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "Leadership". Diocese of Belleville. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "Archbishop Lucas of Omaha retires; bishop of Belleville, Ill., succeeds him". Catholic Review. March 31, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "Belleville Roman Catholic Diocese Entrusts Reverend Mullen With Leadership Until Bishop Appointment". Metro East Star. May 12, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 13.03.2026". Retrieved March 13, 2026.
- ^ "Pope Leo appoints 10th bishop of the Diocese of Belleville". Retrieved March 13, 2026.
External links
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