Joseph M. Breitenbeck
Encyclopedia
Joseph Matthew Breitenbeck (August 3, 1914—March 12, 2005) was an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He was the eighth Bishop of Grand Rapids
from 1969 to 1989, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop
of the Archdiocese of Detroit
(1965-69).
, one of seven children of Matthew Joseph and Mary Agnes (née Quinlan) Breitenbeck. His father lost his job during the Great Depression
, and two of his brothers also entered the priesthood
. After graduating from Holy Redeemer High School, he began studying pre-law
at the University of Detroit
in 1932. However, he abandoned his ambitions for a legal career after a priest suggested he consider the priesthood.
In 1935, Breitenbeck enrolled at Sacred Heart Major Seminary
in Detroit. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Sacred Heart in 1938, and continued his studies in Rome
at the Pontifical North American College
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
. In 1940, he was forced to leave Rome following the outbreak of World War II
. He transferred to the Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C.
, where he earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
in 1942.
a priest by Archbishop Edward Mooney at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor
at St. Margaret Mary Church in Detroit, where he remained for five years. In 1947, he returned to Rome to pursue his graduate studies. He later earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
from the Pontifical Lateran University
in 1949.
Upon his return to Detroit, Breitenbeck served as secretary to Cardinal Mooney from 1949 to 1958. He was named a papal chamberlain
in 1953, and raised to the rank of domestic prelate
in 1956. Following Mooney's death in 1958, he served as secretary to his successor, Archbishop John F. Dearden, for a year. He was pastor
of Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit from 1959 to 1967.
He accompanied Archbishop Dearden to the Second Vatican Council
between 1962 and 1965.
of Detroit and titular bishop
of Tepelta by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following December 20 from Archbishop Dearden, with Bishops John Anthony Donovan and Gerald Vincent McDevitt serving as co-consecrators
, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as pastor of Assumption Grotto. In addition to his pastoral duties, he became vicar general
of the archdiocese and delegate for religious
in 1966.
on October 15, 1969. His installation took place on December 2 of that year. During his tenure in Grand Rapids, he distinguished himself as an advocate of progressive values, who vigorously implemented the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In 1971, he expressed his support for the ordination of women
and for ending clerical celibacy
in order to address the priest shortage
. He also encouraged the practice of communal confessions
, and allowed divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the sacraments
. Some parishes strongly resisted changing the language of the Mass
from Latin
to English
; St. Isidore's Church even took Breitenbeck and the diocese to court over the issue. He also spoke out against nuclear warfare
and in favor of a fair wage.
In his 19 years as bishop, Breitenbeck oversaw the establishment of seven new parishes as well as the erection of the Dioceses of Gaylord
and Kalamazoo
from the Diocese of Grand Rapids. In the 1980s, he created policies and procedures for handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse; these rules remained in force until major revisions in the early 21st century. Having a sister with mental retardation led him to establish a ministry to help people with disabilities. He also helped establish the Deposit & Loan Cooperative Investment Program, which allowed parishes to borrow money from diocesan funds at a lower interest rate, and supported the Michigan Catholic Conference's efforts to provide retirement benefits for priests and laity
. He instituted regular changes and appointments of pastors and oversaw one of the renovations of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Instead of living at the episcopal residence, Breitenbeck sold it and then moved into a modest home in Grattan Township
. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
, he served as chair of the Liaison Committee for Major Superiors of Women, member of the Committee for Latin America, and member of the Committee for Canonical Affairs. He also served as episcopal advisor for the National Catholic Laymen's Retreat Conference, treasurer of the Michigan Catholic Conference, and member of the board of directors of the American College at Louvain. Outside of ecclesiastical activities, he was active in the Old Newsboys, Rotary Club
, United Way, Urban League
, and Economic Club.
served for 33 years between 1883 and 1916.
In 2002, having long-suffered from severe and chronic back pain, he moved to St. Ann's Home in Grand Rapids. He there died at age 90. He is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Wyoming
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He was the eighth Bishop of Grand Rapids
Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in western Michigan, in the United States. It comprises 102 churches in Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Montcalm, Mecosta, Lake, Mason, and Osceola counties in Michigan. The diocese was created on...
from 1969 to 1989, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Archdiocese of Detroit
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit is an archdiocese of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church covering the Michigan counties of Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Wayne...
(1965-69).
Early life and education
Breitenbeck was born in Detroit, MichiganMichigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, one of seven children of Matthew Joseph and Mary Agnes (née Quinlan) Breitenbeck. His father lost his job during the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
, and two of his brothers also entered the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
. After graduating from Holy Redeemer High School, he began studying pre-law
Pre-law
In the United States, pre-law refers to any course of study taken by an undergraduate in preparation for study at a law school.The American Bar Association requires law schools that it approves to require at least a bachelor's degree for North American students for admission...
at the University of Detroit
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university...
in 1932. However, he abandoned his ambitions for a legal career after a priest suggested he consider the priesthood.
In 1935, Breitenbeck enrolled at Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Sacred Heart Major Seminary is a Catholic institution of higher learning associated with the Archdiocese of Detroit. It is located at 2701 West Chicago Boulevard, at the western edge of the Boston-Edison Historic District in Detroit, Michigan. In 2006-2007, 93 seminarians and over 400 lay...
in Detroit. He earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Sacred Heart in 1938, and continued his studies in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
. In 1940, he was forced to leave Rome following the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He transferred to the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, where he earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
in 1942.
Priesthood
On May 30, 1942, Breitenbeck was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a priest by Archbishop Edward Mooney at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament
The Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament is a decorated Gothic Revival style Roman Catholic cathedral church in the United States. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit...
. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Margaret Mary Church in Detroit, where he remained for five years. In 1947, he returned to Rome to pursue his graduate studies. He later earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law is the title of an advanced graduate degree with canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church offered by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties of canon law...
from the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
in 1949.
Upon his return to Detroit, Breitenbeck served as secretary to Cardinal Mooney from 1949 to 1958. He was named a papal chamberlain
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in 1953, and raised to the rank of domestic prelate
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in 1956. Following Mooney's death in 1958, he served as secretary to his successor, Archbishop John F. Dearden, for a year. He was pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Assumption Grotto Church in Detroit from 1959 to 1967.
He accompanied Archbishop Dearden to the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
between 1962 and 1965.
Detroit
On October 18, 1965, Breitenbeck was appointed auxiliary bishopAuxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Detroit and titular bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Tepelta by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following December 20 from Archbishop Dearden, with Bishops John Anthony Donovan and Gerald Vincent McDevitt serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as pastor of Assumption Grotto. In addition to his pastoral duties, he became vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the archdiocese and delegate for religious
Consecrated life (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, the term "consecrated life" denotes a stable form of Christian living by those faithful who feel called to follow Jesus Christ in a more exacting way recognized by the Church...
in 1966.
Grand Rapids
Breitenbeck was appointed the eighth Bishop of Grand RapidsRoman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in western Michigan, in the United States. It comprises 102 churches in Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Montcalm, Mecosta, Lake, Mason, and Osceola counties in Michigan. The diocese was created on...
on October 15, 1969. His installation took place on December 2 of that year. During his tenure in Grand Rapids, he distinguished himself as an advocate of progressive values, who vigorously implemented the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In 1971, he expressed his support for the ordination of women
Ordination of women
Ordination in general religious usage is the process by which a person is consecrated . The ordination of women is a regular practice among some major religious groups, as it was of several religions of antiquity...
and for ending clerical celibacy
Clerical celibacy (Catholic Church)
Clerical celibacy is the discipline by which, in some Churches, only unmarried men are, as a rule, to be ordained to the priesthood. The same discipline holds in some other Churches for ordination to the episcopate....
in order to address the priest shortage
Priest shortage
A priest shortage is the situation of a reduced number of priests in religions, especially the Roman Catholic Church.In 2008, 49,631 parishes in the world had no resident priest pastor. While the number of Catholics in the world nearly doubled between 1970 and 2008, growing from 653 Million to...
. He also encouraged the practice of communal confessions
Sacrament of Penance (Catholic Church)
In the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is the method by which individual men and women may be freed from sins committed after receiving the sacrament of Baptism...
, and allowed divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the sacraments
Sacraments of the Catholic Church
The Sacraments of the Catholic Church are, the Roman Catholic Church teaches, "efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper...
. Some parishes strongly resisted changing the language of the Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
to English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
; St. Isidore's Church even took Breitenbeck and the diocese to court over the issue. He also spoke out against nuclear warfare
Nuclear warfare
Nuclear warfare, or atomic warfare, is a military conflict or political strategy in which nuclear weaponry is detonated on an opponent. Compared to conventional warfare, nuclear warfare can be vastly more destructive in range and extent of damage...
and in favor of a fair wage.
In his 19 years as bishop, Breitenbeck oversaw the establishment of seven new parishes as well as the erection of the Dioceses of Gaylord
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Northern Michigan region of the United States. It comprises the twenty-one most northern counties of the lower peninsula of the state, and includes the cities of Traverse City,...
and Kalamazoo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo is a Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southwestern portion of the State of Michigan that encompasses Allegan, Van Buren, Berrien, Cass, Saint Joseph, Kalamazoo, Branch, Calhoun, and Barry Counties. The Diocese consists of 46 parishes 13 missions,...
from the Diocese of Grand Rapids. In the 1980s, he created policies and procedures for handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse; these rules remained in force until major revisions in the early 21st century. Having a sister with mental retardation led him to establish a ministry to help people with disabilities. He also helped establish the Deposit & Loan Cooperative Investment Program, which allowed parishes to borrow money from diocesan funds at a lower interest rate, and supported the Michigan Catholic Conference's efforts to provide retirement benefits for priests and laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
. He instituted regular changes and appointments of pastors and oversaw one of the renovations of the Cathedral of St. Andrew.
Instead of living at the episcopal residence, Breitenbeck sold it and then moved into a modest home in Grattan Township
Grattan Township, Michigan
Grattan Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,551.Grattan is an unincorporated community within the township.-Geography:...
. As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
, he served as chair of the Liaison Committee for Major Superiors of Women, member of the Committee for Latin America, and member of the Committee for Canonical Affairs. He also served as episcopal advisor for the National Catholic Laymen's Retreat Conference, treasurer of the Michigan Catholic Conference, and member of the board of directors of the American College at Louvain. Outside of ecclesiastical activities, he was active in the Old Newsboys, Rotary Club
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
, United Way, Urban League
National Urban League
The National Urban League , formerly known as the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes, is a nonpartisan civil rights organization based in New York City that advocates on behalf of African Americans and against racial discrimination in the United States. It is the oldest and largest...
, and Economic Club.
Later life and death
Shortly before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Breitenbeck resigned as Bishop of Grand Rapids on June 24, 1989. Serving for nearly 20 years, he was the second-longest serving bishop in the history of the diocese; the diocese's first bishop, Henry RichterHenry Richter (bishop)
Henry Joseph Richter was a German-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Grand Rapids, Michigan .-Biography:...
served for 33 years between 1883 and 1916.
In 2002, having long-suffered from severe and chronic back pain, he moved to St. Ann's Home in Grand Rapids. He there died at age 90. He is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Wyoming
Wyoming, Michigan
Wyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
.