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Edward Weisenburger

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Edward Joseph Weisenburger
Archbishop of Detroit
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseDetroit
AppointedFebruary 11, 2025
InstalledMarch 18, 2025
PredecessorAllen Vigneron
Previous post(s)
  • Bishop of Tucson (2017–2025)
  • Bishop of Salina (2012–2017)
Orders
OrdinationDecember 19, 1987
by Charles Salatka
ConsecrationMay 1, 2012
by Joseph Naumann, Eusebius J. Beltran, and Paul Stagg Coakley
Personal details
Born (1960-12-23) December 23, 1960 (age 64)
MottoEcce agnus Dei
(Behold the lamb of God)
Coat of arms
Styles of
Edward Joseph Weisenburger
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop
Coat of Arms as Bishop of Tucson, AZ
Coat of Arms as Bishop of Salina, KS

Edward Joseph Weisenburger (born 23 December 1960) is an American Catholic prelate who serves as Archbishop of Detroit. He served as Bishop of Tucson from 2017 to 2025 and as Bishop of Salina from 2012 to 2017.

Biography

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Edward Weisenburger was born in Alton, Illinois, on December 23, 1960, to Edward and Asella (Walters) Weisenburger. He grew up primarily in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he attended St. Barbara School and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1979.[1] He began his studies at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, graduating with honors in 1983.[1] and then attend the American College Seminary at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He earned his Bachelor of Theology and Master of Religious Studies degrees in 1986. He received his Master of Arts in Religious Studies and Master of Moral and Religious Sciences degrees in Leuven in 1987.[1]

On December 19, 1987, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City by Archbishop Charles Salatka.[2] After his ordination, the Archdiocese assigned him to St. Mary Parish in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

He began studying at St. Paul University in Ottawa in 1990, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law degree in 1992.[1][3] He returned to Oklahoma, and was appointed as Vice Chancellor and adjutant judicial vicar for the Archdiocese.[3]

Weisenburger was appointed pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Okarche, Oklahoma from 1995 to 2002. In 1995, he also began 17 years of service on the Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan college of consultors. After the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, he volunteered as an on-site chaplain for rescue workers. In 1996, Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran named him as Vicar General of the archdiocese.[3]

In 2002, Weisenburger was named pastor and then rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.[1][3] He was also promoter of justice for the canonization of Reverend Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma priest murdered in 1981 by a death squad in Guatemala. On October 2, 2009, Weisenburger was appointed a prelate of honor with the title monsignor.[4][1]

Bishop of Salina

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He was appointed bishop of Salina by Benedict XVI on February 6, 2012.[5][4]

Bishop of Tucson

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On October 3, 2017, Weisenburger was named the seventh bishop of Tucson by Pope Francis. He was installed on November 29, 2017.[6][2]

Archbishop of Detroit

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On February 11, 2025, Weisenburger was appointed as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, succeeding Allen Vigneron.[7] His installation occurred on March 18, 2025.

Positions

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Sexual abuse

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During his tenure in Oklahoma City, Bishop Weisenburger was criticized by survivors and advocacy groups like the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) for the Archdiocese's response to sexual abuse allegations. Critics argue that there was a lack of transparency and action in dealing with accused priests.[8]

In 2018, as Bishop of Tucson, Weisenburger announced that 10 employees had been fired due to sexual misconduct allegations over the past decade. This action was part of his response to the broader national crisis within the Church in the U.S. concerning sexual abuse. However, many argue this was reactive rather than proactive in preventing abuse.[9]

While he has publicly acknowledged past failures in handling abuse, his advocacy for the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and his role on the USCCB Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People have been seen as steps toward reform. However, many maintain that his leadership has been more about damage control than genuine accountability.[10]

Immigration

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Bishop Weisenburger has been outspoken about undocumented immigrants, particularly at the U.S.–Mexico border. His suggestion at a 2018 conference of bishops to issue canonical penalties, potentially including a denial of Holy Communion or excommunication, to Catholic federal agents that follow U.S. immigration laws sparked significant controversy. This stance placed him in opposition to other bishops at the conference and other Catholic clergy.[11] His call for the Church to act as a "sanctuary for the human person"[citation needed] has been interpreted by many[who?] as the Church overstepping into political realms, igniting debates on the separation of church and state, particularly in how religious institutions should engage with government policies.

Climate change

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While advocating for environmental stewardship aligns with Pope Francis's "Laudato si'", Bishop Weisenburger's push for local action on climate change has been met with resistance from those who view environmental activism as outside the traditional scope of Church doctrine or as politically motivated. His positions have been criticized for impacting local economies, especially in Arizona, where water and resource management are contentious issues.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "About the Bishop". Diocese of Tucson. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  2. ^ a b "Bishop Edward Joseph Weisenburger [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  3. ^ a b c d "Pope Appoints Oklahoma City Vicar General Bishop Of Salina". US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  4. ^ a b "Biography / Curriculum Vitae". Catholic Diocese of Salina. Archived from the original on 2009-06-23. Retrieved 2009-05-10..
  5. ^ Fielder, Jr., Gordon J. (May 2, 2012). "New Catholic Diocese bishop ordained". The Salina Journal. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
  6. ^ Vatican Information Service, "Daily Bulletin of 3.10.2017," online at "Resignations and Appointments". Retrieved 2017-10-03.
  7. ^ "Rinunce e nomine". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
  8. ^ "New revelations out of Oklahoma about Tucson's Catholic bishop are extremely disturbing". Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. October 28, 2019. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  9. ^ "Bishop: Tucson Diocese has fired 10 over sexual misconduct". AP News. 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  10. ^ https://www.aod.org/archbishop-edward-weisenburger
  11. ^ Innes, Stephanie (2018-06-15). "Tucson bishop: Should Catholics face 'canonical penalties' for role in separating immigrant children?". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
  12. ^ Roewe, Brian. "Arizona bishop thanks Pope Francis for calling out US impacts on climate change". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Archbishop of Detroit
2025 – present
Incumbent
Ecclesiastical Superior of the Cayman Islands
2025 – present
Preceded by Bishop of Tucson
2017 – 2025
Vacant
Preceded by Bishop of Salina
2012 – 2017
Succeeded by