Bp Callahan appoints Cathedral's Fr Gorman to moderator of curia

LA CROSSE, April 2, 2011 - The Most Reverend William P. Callahan, Bishop of La Crosse, announced today the appointment of Father Michael J. Gorman as the moderator of the curia for the Diocese of La Crosse effective July 1. He steps into the position previously held by Monsignor Richard Gilles who left the office last fall when he was appointed pastor of St. Mary (Immaculate Conception) Parish in Tomah.

The moderator of the curia is a position designed to assist the bishop with the direction and supervision of the functions of the diocesan curia (staff). Father Gorman will serve as a consultant to Bishop Callahan on matters of canon law and the function of the various offices of the curia. He will serve on many councils and committees in the diocese.

Born in Richland Center, Wis., he graduated from Richland Center High School and attended St. Francis de Sales College, Milwaukee, where he received a BA in Theology. After attending St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., where he received a Master of Divinity degree, he was ordained on May 17, 1980 by Bishop Frederick W. Freking.

Following his ordination Father Gorman served as an associate pastor at St. John the Baptist in Marshfield and Blessed Sacrament Parish in La Crosse. In 1984 he was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he earned his licentiate in canon law. Assignments since then have included bishop's secretary and master of ceremonies, diocesan chancellor, director of Catholic Cemeteries, moderator of the curia, acting director of the Office of Sacred Worship, parochial administrator of St. Leo Parish in West Salem and St. Mary Parish in Bangor, diocesan judge and defender of the bond, pastor of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Viroqua and his current position as the rector of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, La Crosse. He also serves as a Latin instructor at Aquinas High School in La Crosse.

He has also served on the College of Consultors and Presbyteral Council, and currently serves on the St. Joseph's Priest Fund Board of Directors and as dean of the La Crosse Deanery.

Catholic Times

Last week the diocese announced the appointment of Fr. Francis Quansah as chancellor.