Joliet, Ill., Oct 28, 2009 / 09:09 am
The Vatican announced on Wednesday that Pope Benedict has appointed Father Joseph Siegel as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. Bishop-elect Siegel is currently a pastor of Visitation Parish in Elmhurst, Ill. and has served the Diocese of Joliet since his ordination in 1988.
“I was both humbled and honored when I received the unexpected news that Pope Benedict had named me to serve as auxiliary bishop of Joliet,” Bishop-elect Siegel said on Wednesday.
“I am deeply grateful to our Holy Father and Bishop Sartain and I pray that I will be worthy of the trust they have placed in me as I strive to be a faithful shepherd after the heart of Jesus,” Bishop-elect Siegel added. He also asked for prayers so that he “may serve the people of this Diocese with love, wisdom and courage.”
In addition to being a diocesan priest and pastor, Father Siegel has held many leadership roles in the Diocese of Joliet. He has been a member and also chairman of the Presbyteral Council, director of Continuing Formation for Priests and a member of the Diocesan Vocation board. His currently a member of the Bishop's Respect Life Advisory Board and chair of the Steering Committee for the Joliet Diocesan Year of the Eucharist and Eucharistic Congress.