Tower Topics ~ Spring 2002

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Joliet alumnus appointed auxiliary bishop

The following article by Ann Piasecki is reprinted courtesy of the Catholic Explorer, newspaper of the Diocese of Joliet.

Bishop-elect James Fitzgerald

Although he lacks the sun-reddened face of a construction worker, the newly appointed auxiliary bishop of the Joliet Diocese has been in the business of building faith and church additions for nearly 40 years. Pope John Paul II Jan. 11 appointed Father James E. Fitzgerald to serve the needs of a diocese with more than 600,000 Catholics and one which will soon be faced with the retirement of Auxiliary Bishop Roger L. Kaffer.

The bishop-elect attended Conception Seminary from 1957 to 1964, graduating from the theology school. He is the ninth Conception alumnus to be named bishop.

At a press conference at the St. Charles Borromeo Pastoral Center, Bishop-elect Fitzgerald made his first formal comments about his future role as auxiliary bishop. Having facilitated the construction of numerous parish building projects throughout his diocese, the bishop-elect remarked that he finds the notion of challenge to be personally inspiring. Reminiscing about his gradual move over the years to larger and larger parishes, he said his friends would often press him—asking, “‘Fitz,’ why do you want to go there? It’s just going to get bigger and bigger. That area is growing.” His answer was simple: “I like the action. I do like the possibility of seeing people growing in faith. . . It is God who builds churches,” he said.

The 63-year-old bishop-elect, a Chicago native, is scheduled to be installed March 19 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet. Admittedly honored by the appointment, Bishop-elect Fitzgerald added that his mother, the late Winifred Fitzgerald, would have been proud. “My mother went to Mass every day,” and it was customary in the Fitzgerald family that her only son would accompany her to Mass each morning before boarding a commuter train for Marmion Academy in Aurora. His love for the church stems from his mother, and Bishop-elect Fitzgerald credits his compassion for others to observing his father, a judge in DuPage County. He recalled that his father would regularly visit the county jail’s inmates. He got to know those he sentenced. He knew who they were, the bishop-elect said.

Consequently, getting to know people is a key element in the bishop-elect’s agenda. “I really love the ministry. I love people,” said the one-time rector and dean of students at the former St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Romeoville, Ill. Bishop-elect Fitzgerald has held three pastorates since 1984. Previously, he served as chaplain at The Cenacle, a retreat house, and as an associate pastor at three parishes.

The search for an auxiliary bishop has been a year in the works, said Bishop Joseph L. Imesch, as he welcomed his newest associate. “I’m just delighted that the Holy Father has recognized our pastoral needs. He’ll be a great help. Bishop Kaffer and I look forward to working with him.”

Bishop Kaffer, who plans to retire from his post within the church in August, described the bishop-elect as a “priest with a vision of the Second Vatican Council,” who also offers a host of organizational skills. “I’m very, very happy to have him on board.”

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