News Release: Bishop Walter A. Hurley to Join Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors

(LANSING)—Michigan Catholic Conference announced today Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley, bishop-elect of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, will become a member of the Conference’s board of directors following his Mass of Installation today at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids.

Succeeding Bishop Kevin M. Britt, who died in May 2004 of a rare brain complication, Bishop Hurley will become a Michigan Catholic Conference board member as a diocesan bishop of the Province of Detroit, which includes all seven dioceses of the state. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Hurley as the 11^th bishop of the diocese June 21^st.

“Bishop Hurley brings an immense amount of knowledge, leadership and experience to the Conference’s board of directors and we eagerly look forward to his insight and guidance on matters concerning Church and state,” said Michigan Catholic Conference President and Chief Executive Officer Sister Monica Kostielney, R.S.M.

Born in New Brunswick, Canada in May 1937, Bishop Hurley was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1965 and ordained the 22^nd Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit August 12, 2003. In 1984 Bishop Hurley received his license in canon law (J.C.L.) from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and served as Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Detroit from 1986–1990. In 1990 His Holiness Pope John Paul II designated Bishop Hurley as a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor. In 1994 Bishop Hurley became a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre.

Following his ordination to the priesthood, Bishop Hurley was appointed associate pastor, St. Dorothy Parish, Warren until 1969; served as Vicar for the Warren-Centerline Vicariate until 1972; became pastor of St. Cyprian Parish, Riverview until 1976; served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Roseville until 1979 and became pastor of St. Lucy Parish, St. Clair Shores until 1982. From 1990–2003, Bishop Hurley served as Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Farmington Hills.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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