Two Auxiliary Bishops Named for Archdiocese of Detroit

Pope Francis has named two local priests, Father Gerard W. Battersby and Father Robert J. Fisher, to be auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Bishops-designate Battersby and Fisher will be ordained as the archdiocese's 29th and 30th auxiliary bishops, respectively, on January 25, 2017, at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. Auxiliary bishops aid the archbishop in the pastoral care of the archdiocese.

Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron will introduce both men at 10:30 a.m. at the Archdiocese of Detroit Chancery at 12 State Street in Detroit. Members of the news media are invited to attend. The news conference also will be streamed live on the Archdiocese of Detroit's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ArchdioceseofDetroit/.

"All of us in the Archdiocese of Detroit are deeply grateful that Pope Francis has named Father Battersby and Father Fisher, two well-loved and respected priests in our archdiocese, to be auxiliary bishops in our local church," said Archbishop Allen Vigneron, the Archbishop of Detroit. "Just days ago we celebrated Synod ‘16 to move the whole Catholic community in Southeast Michigan forward in our efforts to Unleash the Gospel. Both of these new bishops bring a rich set of gifts and talents to the roles they will play in leading our community in our mission to share the Good News of Jesus."

Bishop-designate Gerard W. Battersby

Bishop-designate Gerard William Battersby, 56 (photo), was born in Detroit, the youngest of nine children, along with his twin brother, to Christopher and the late Helen Battersby. He attended St. Benedict Parish and School in Highland Park. He received a bachelor's degree in biology from Wayne State and worked in the pharmaceutical and appraisal industries until entering Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 1993, from which he earned his Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on May 30, 1998. He has served at St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township and at St. Gerard, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Presentation-Our Lady of Victory parishes in Detroit. He was made director of graduate seminarians at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 2007 before being assigned to graduate studies at the University of St. Thomas in Rome. Since 2011, he has been serving as vice-rector and dean of seminarian formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He also has been pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish in Detroit since October 2015.

"I would like to thank God and Pope Francis for this inestimable blessing," Bishop-designate Battersby said. "It is with joy and confidence in Jesus Christ that I accepted the Holy Father's invitation to be a co-worker of his in the apostolic ministry. I would also like to thank Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who has been truly a good shepherd and a sterling exemplar to me."

Bishop-designate Robert J. Fisher

Bishop-designate Robert Joseph Fisher, 57 (photo), was born in Detroit, the oldest of four children to Robert and Trudy Fisher. He attended Epiphany and St. Bede elementary schools and University of Detroit Jesuit High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in management science from University of Detroit and after graduation oversaw the camping services department of the Catholic Youth Organization camps near Port Sanilac. He entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 1986, from which he earned his Masters of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 27, 1992. Following his ordination he served at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Grosse Pointe Woods, as director of priestly vocations for the archdiocese, at St. Angela Parish in Roseville and at St. Lawrence Parish in Utica. He has been rector of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak since March 2014.

"I am humbled by the Holy Father's call to serve as an auxiliary bishop," said Bishop-designate Fisher. "I am grateful for Archbishop Vigneron's guidance, direction and fraternal support. With the prayers of the community, I will direct all my energy toward sharing Christ in and through the Church."

In the Detroit Archdiocese, Bishops-designate Battersby and Fisher join Auxiliary Bishops Donald Hanchon and Arturo Cepeda, and retired Auxiliary Bishops Francis Reiss and Thomas Gumbleton. Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal Adam Maida, who had led the archdiocese since 1990, retired from active ministry in 2009. Archbishop Allen Vigneron serves as chief shepherd for the 1.3 million Catholics who reside in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Lapeer and St. Clair counties.