Vatican City, Oct 15, 2008 / 08:09 am
This morning Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop John M. Quinn, currently an auxiliary bishop of Detroit, to succeed Bishop Bernard Harrington as the Bishop of Winona, Minnesota.
Last month, Bishop Harrington submitted his retirement to the Holy Father upon having reached the age limit of 75. While the Holy Father has not yet accepted Bishop Harrington´s retirement, the appointment of Bishop Quinn as his successor makes evident the fact that it will be accepted.
Bishop Quinn reacted to news of his new post by saying he was “humbled by the Holy Father’s appointment, and delighted for the opportunity to serve the faithful of Winona.” The newly appointed coadjutor bishop for Winona also praised his friend Bishop Harrington for doing a “phenomenal job¨ in leading the Church in Winona. “It will be a pleasure to serve with him again,” said Bishop Quinn, who worked with him in Detroit.
Bishop Harrington said that he looks forward to working with Bishop Quinn, who
brings “magnificent pastoral skills,” and is a “joy-filled person.” “The Diocese of Winona is blessed to have Bishop Quinn as the new coadjutor bishop,” said Bishop Harrington. “He brings with him many talents. He is committed to Catholic education. He is a strong supporter of the rights of the poor. He is a jovial, fun-filled person who will fit in very well here in the Diocese of Winona. God has blessed us with a great bishop of faith and humility.”
John M. Quinn was born on December 17, 1945 in Detroit, Michigan. He studied philosophy at the Sacred Heart Seminary and theology at Saint John Seminary in Plymouth, also in Detroit.
He was ordained a priest on March 17, 1972. He later served as a pastor at several parishes, including Saint Luke´s Parish from 1982-1996. Bishop Quinn has also served as the Director of Education, and as a faculty member at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. He was named an auxiliary bishop in 2003.
According to the Diocese of Winona, Bishop Quinn will be installed as coadjutor at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Winona on December 11.