Conventual Franciscan appointed auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wis., Oct 30, 2007 / 08:15 am

Today the Holy Father announced the appointment of Father William Patrick Callahan as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  Bishop-elect Callahan is a Conventual Franciscan serving as Spiritual Director at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Born in 1950, Fr. Callahan was ordained in 1977 by the archbishop of Milwaukee and served as the Director of Vocations for the Conventual Franciscans.

The Conventuals are often referred to as the “Black Franciscans,” focus on assisting large urban areas and live in convents, giving them the name Conventual Franciscans.

“The fact that he is from a religious order affirms the strong tradition and presence of religious orders in southeastern Wisconsin.  The service of men and men religious are an essential part of our Church in southeastern Wisconsin,” stated Archbishop Timothy Dolan of Milwaukee.

He continued saying the appointment of Callahan “will be a blessing for our Church and we are grateful the Holy Father has appointed him to serve the faithful people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.”

In response to the appointment, the bishop-elect said, “I was humbled by the news from the Holy Father.  My only desire is to serve the Church and I am honored to be asked to do so as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It is already home for me and I am eager to get to know more of the priests and people of this great archdiocese and for them to know me.”

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee serves 707,688 Catholics, 703 priests, and 2,856 religious.