The Holy See made the announcement this morning:
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archdiocese of Milwaukee, United States of America, presented by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki.
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Jeffrey S. Grob, until now titular of Abora and auxiliary of Chicago, United States of America, as metropolitan archbishop of Milwaukee, United States of America.
A native of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, the Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob attended Holy Name High School Seminary in Madison and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1992 and completed his graduate studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary in 1999. He received a Doctorate of Canon Law degree from St. Paul University and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from the University of Ottawa in 2007.
Bishop Grob has served as Associate Pastor and Pastor of several Archdiocese of Chicago parishes, Assistant to the Chancellor, Associate Vicar for Canonical Services, Judicial Vicar, and Chancellor. He was appointed an auxiliary bishop of Chicago on September 11, 2020, and ordained to the episcopacy by Cardinal Blase Cupich on November 13, 2020.
Born March 19, 1961 in Madison, Wisconsin, Bishop Grob is the son of Gerald and Bonnie (Meinholz) Grob.
For those who are looking for more about the new archbishop, here’s an interview with Father Grob from a few years back.
Snip:
Dr. Knight: Could you tell us a small part of your personal life. Do you have siblings? Is it a large family?
Fr. Grob: I am an only child, growing up in the same house with my parents and paternal grandparents in a German farming community just west of Madison, Wisconsin. My maternal grandmother owned a tavern in town where I would spend weekends while working on the family farm during the week. It provided a wonderful balance while growing up – hard work and the pleasure of being with people. I come from a small clan, having only 4 first cousins on my father’s side. The church was always a central part of our lives. I loved going to Mass and remember that as a child I was always trying to figure out what the priest was doing at the altar. Fr. Richard Schlaefer, the pastor of our parish, was a quiet, simple man whom I admired greatly.
Dr. Knight: Did the call to the priesthood come overnight or was it a constant reminder from the Lord that he was looking for you.
Fr. Grob: From my earliest recollections as a child, I felt drawn to ministry and the call to the priesthood. Through prayer and good works, I learned how to stay close to what has been asked of me, having freely chosen Christ as the source of hope that gives me direction.
Dr. Knight: What ministries are you currently involved in beside giving talks on the topic of exorcism? Do you say Mass at a parish each day?
Fr. Grob: I was assigned to be pastor of St. Celestine Parish, Elmwood Park from 2008-2013 and I still remain active in their liturgical celebrations mostly on weekends. Now my days are spent at the Archbishop Quigley Center tending to matters that pertain to canon law as Judicial Vicar and Vicar for Canonical Affairs. Canon law, the law that assists in guiding the Catholic Church and her many practices and processes, is meant to point to the realization of the supreme law of the Church which is the salvation of souls.
My doctoral dissertation addressed the revision of the Rite of Exorcism which was promulgated in 1998. Upon returning from doctoral studies, I have been frequently called upon to speak on the topic. Needless to say, sensationalistic topics always tend to draw a crowd.
Dr. Knight: You have a specific call to fulfill your priesthood. Could you explain it to the reader?
Fr. Grob: The priesthood to which I have been called is about coming to understand and embrace the will of Jesus Christ in my own life first. Then I am able to assist in evangelizing, catechizing, and accompanying others so that they can know/love/serve Him in their own walk as members of the Body of Christ. We are in this together – as Church.
