Victor Hermann Balke
Encyclopedia
Victor Hermann Balke was the Roman Catholic Bishop
of Crookston
from 1976-2007.
Born in Meppen, Illinois
(in Calhoun County
), 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 1949. In September 1949, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on 24 May 1958, by Bishop William A. O’Connor for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Following his ordination in Springfield, Balke served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for four years and was chaplain
at St. Joseph Home for the Aged. Later he was named procurator
, and then rector
of the Diocesan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. He served on the Matrimonial Tribunal as synodal judge
and defender of the bond. He was also the chairman of the Diocesan Commission on Ecumenism and secretary-treasurer of the Priests’ Council.
He was appointed Bishop of Crookston
by Pope Paul VI
on 3 July 1976, and was consecrated the sixth bishop of that diocese on 2 September 1976. After being the Bishop of Crookston for 31 years, and one day before his 76th birthday, Pope Benedict XVI
appointed Michael Joseph Hoeppner
as the new Bishop of Crookston. Bishop Balke will remain at the helm of the diocese
as apostolic administrator
until Bishop-elect Hoeppner is installed on 30 November 2007.
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
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...
from 1976-2007.
Born in Meppen, Illinois
Meppen, Illinois
Meppen is an unincorporated community in Calhoun County, Illinois, United States. Meppen is north of Brussels. St. Joseph's Cemetery is located in Meppen....
(in Calhoun County
Calhoun County, Illinois
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 5,089, which is an increase of 0.1% from 5,084 in 2000. Its county seat is Hardin. It is part of the Metro-East portion of the St...
), 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 1949. In September 1949, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on 24 May 1958, by Bishop William A. O’Connor for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Following his ordination in Springfield, Balke served as assistant pastor at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for four years and was chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
at St. Joseph Home for the Aged. Later he was named procurator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
, and then rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of the Diocesan Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. He served on the Matrimonial Tribunal as synodal judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
and defender of the bond. He was also the chairman of the Diocesan Commission on Ecumenism and secretary-treasurer of the Priests’ Council.
He was appointed Bishop of Crookston
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...
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...
on 3 July 1976, and was consecrated the sixth bishop of that diocese on 2 September 1976. After being the Bishop of Crookston for 31 years, and one day before his 76th birthday, 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...
appointed Michael Joseph Hoeppner
Michael Joseph Hoeppner
Michael Joseph Hoeppner 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...
as the new Bishop of Crookston. Bishop Balke will remain at the helm of the diocese
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...
as apostolic administrator
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
until Bishop-elect Hoeppner is installed on 30 November 2007.