Michael Joseph Hoeppner
Encyclopedia
Michael Joseph Hoeppner (1 June 1949) is the current Bishop of Crookston
, since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
on 28 September 2007. Bishop Hoeppner replaced Victor Hermann Balke
one day before his 76th birthday, who previously had served as Bishop
of Crookston for 31 years.
Bishop Hoeppner is a native of Winona, Minnesota
, and comes from a background in parish work and administration coupled with teaching ministry.
He is an alumnus of the Pontifical North American College
. He was ordained a priest, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona
, in Rome
by Pope Paul VI
who ordained 359 priests to mark the Holy Year. Interestingly he is the second US appointee this year to come from the group that has been elevated to the episcopacy, which also counts Archbishop
s Raymond Leo Burke
of St Louis, James Michael Harvey
and J. Michael Miller among its members.
He studied for the priesthood and continued his education with a JCL from St Paul's
in Ottawa
and a master's in Education from a Winona-area university. The bishop-elect's priestly ministry included a seven-year term in the roles of high school teacher, school administrator and diocesan
director of vocation
s. He served as Winona's judicial vicar from 1988–1997, when then-Bishop John George Vlazny named him vicar general
.
Following Bishop Vlazny's transfer to the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, Hoeppner was elected as diocesan administrator to oversee the diocese during the interregnum
before the appointment and arrival of Bishop Bernard Harrington, who subsequently appointed Hoeppner as his vicar general.
He was consecrated as bishop of the Diocese of Crookston on 30 November 2007.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. It was founded on December 31, 1909. It covers the northwest section of Minnesota.The bishops of the diocese are:*Timothy J...
, since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 28 September 2007. Bishop Hoeppner replaced Victor Hermann Balke
Victor Hermann Balke
Victor Hermann Balke was the Roman Catholic Bishop of Crookston from 1976-2007.Born in Meppen, Illinois , his parents were Elizabeth Knese and Bernard Balke, Sr. He attended St. Joseph Grade School in Meppen as well as the Monterey Grade School, and graduated from Hardin Community High School in...
one day before his 76th birthday, who previously had served as Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Crookston for 31 years.
Bishop Hoeppner is a native of Winona, Minnesota
Winona, Minnesota
Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Located in picturesque bluff country on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf....
, and comes from a background in parish work and administration coupled with teaching ministry.
He is an alumnus of 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...
. He was ordained a priest, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona
Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona
The Diocese of Winona is the Roman Catholic diocese which ministers to the people of southern Minnesota. The diocese includes Blue Earth, Cottonwood, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Jackson, Martin, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Olmsted, Pipestone, Rock, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Watonowan,...
, 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...
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...
who ordained 359 priests to mark the Holy Year. Interestingly he is the second US appointee this year to come from the group that has been elevated to the episcopacy, which also counts Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
s Raymond Leo Burke
Raymond Leo Burke
Raymond Leo Burke is an American Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church. He is the current Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, having previously served as Archbishop of St...
of St Louis, James Michael Harvey
James Michael Harvey
Archbishop James Michael Harvey is a Roman Catholic archbishop.He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on June 29, 1975 for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee in Rome by Pope Paul VI...
and J. Michael Miller among its members.
He studied for the priesthood and continued his education with a JCL from St Paul's
Saint Paul University
Saint Paul University is a Catholic Pontifical university federated with the University of Ottawa. It is located on Main Street in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and has been entrusted for more than a century to the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
and a master's in Education from a Winona-area university. The bishop-elect's priestly ministry included a seven-year term in the roles of high school teacher, school administrator and diocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
director of vocation
Vocation
A vocation , is a term for an occupation to which a person is specially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Though now often used in non-religious contexts, the meanings of the term originated in Christianity.-Senses:...
s. He served as Winona's judicial vicar from 1988–1997, when then-Bishop John George Vlazny named him 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...
.
Following Bishop Vlazny's transfer to the Archdiocese of Portland, Oregon, Hoeppner was elected as diocesan administrator to oversee the diocese during the interregnum
Interregnum
An interregnum is a period of discontinuity or "gap" in a government, organization, or social order...
before the appointment and arrival of Bishop Bernard Harrington, who subsequently appointed Hoeppner as his vicar general.
He was consecrated as bishop of the Diocese of Crookston on 30 November 2007.