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“On behalf of the faithful, clergy, and religious of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, I would like to express our great joy at the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV as the 267th Roman Pontiff, the 266th successor of Saint Peter. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Cardinal-electors have elected the new Holy Father. He has now assumed the pastoral leadership of the Universal Church. “We pledge our prayers in support of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, in communion with him and with all who look to the Successor of Saint Peter, the Vicar of Christ, as the visible head of the pilgrim Church on earth. Our new Holy Father, the first American to be elected pope, is no stranger to the Diocese of Kalamazoo as he spent his high school years here in minor seminary.” “In this joyful Easter season as we continue to celebrate Christ’s triumph over sin and death, may God pour forth his blessings upon Pope N. May the Holy Father be strengthened and supported by our prayers.” As is customary, churches across the Diocese of Kalamazoo rang their bells upon the news of the election of the new Pope. Additionally, the doors of churches are adorned in celebratory gold and white bunting. People are invited to visit one of the 59 Catholic churches to pray for the newly elected Holy Father [see diokzoo.org for a listing of parishes in the Diocese]. Bishop Lohse will celebrate a special Mass honoring Pope Leo XIV on Monday, May 19 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral, Kalamazoo.

Bishop Edward M. Lohse has released the following statement following the news regarding Pope Francis’ passing into eternal life: “I join with all of the faithful in the Diocese of Kalamazoo in offering prayers for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. His impact on the Catholic Church during the twelve years of his pontificate has been immense. While we personally mourn his loss among us, we place our hope in the promise of eternal life, a hope which – as Pope Francis reminded us so many times – does not disappoint. Christ is truly risen. “Pope Francis will be known for calling the Church to reach out actively to our brothers and sisters who live ‘in the periphery’, as he was accustomed to say. He will be remembered for his teaching, especially his four encyclicals including Laudato Sì and his concern for our common home, but most especially I think that he will be remembered for his compassion toward those who find themselves struggling with life or faith or hope. “We were fortunate in this country to experience his 2015 Apostolic Visit to the United States, with his addresses both to Congress and the United Nations and his presence during the World Meeting of Families. During my years working in Rome, whenever I had the privilege to see or hear Pope Francis in person, his warmth and compassion and fidelity to the faith always came through clearly. “During these days of mourning in which we find our strength in the Easter message of resurrection and new life, I invite all people of good will to join us in prayer, asking God to welcome Pope Francis into the Heavenly Kingdom and giving thanks for the graces of his pontificate."

Bishop Lohse announces Pastoral and Diocesan Administrative Appointments including deacon official assignments, a priestly sabbatical and two diocesan administrative positions.

“Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) In this Holy Year, we remember our call to be Pilgrims of Hope. There is no greater pilgrimage than the journey we take into the interior of our own soul, where we will meet the Lord in the full honesty of who we are: sinners who imperfect, and yet who are loved and forgiven and reconciled in the Blood of Jesus, children of the Father who loves us. In this year of favor from the Lord, let us embrace this holy season of Lent as a time of grace, an acceptable time, a day of salvation, and let us return to the Lord with our whole hearts.

Bishop Lohse has appointed five priests as Deans and as such they now have the title of Vicar Forane. The appointments are effective immediately for a term expiring January 1, 20230.

KALAMAZOO, MI (December 16, 2024): The Diocese of Kalamazoo offers the following statement in light of the release today of the Michigan Attorney General’s report on the Diocese of Lansing’s handling of clergy sexual abuse cases*: “The Diocese of Kalamazoo would like to acknowledge that the Michigan Attorney General’s report for the Diocese of Lansing includes two priests who served in the area that is now the Diocese of Kalamazoo. One of those is Robert Gerl. He is already on the diocesan list of those disqualified from working with children or youth. The other priest is Chester Tomasweski (deceased). He is alleged to have committed abuse before the Diocese of Kalamazoo was founded. He has now been placed on the diocesan list in recognition that the effects of disqualifying and prohibiting actions remain even after the offender has died.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo has released the following statement.

Bishop Edward M. Lohse has created a new diocesan office to enhance the Christian formation of youth, has restructured some other offices, and has appointed new individuals in diocesan administration.

Bishop Edward M. Lohse, Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville, issued the following statement after yesterday’s shooting: “The act of violence at yesterday’s political rally in Pennsylvania is deplorable. I offer my prayers for the innocent victim and for those injured, and I am grateful that former President is safe."

The Most Rev. Edward M. Lohse has made the following pastoral appointments and pastoral announcements for the Diocese of Kalamazoo which are effective July 1, 2024.

Bishop Edward M. Lohse released a Letter to the Faithful regarding the release of the Michigan Attorney General's Office report on clergy sexual misconduct in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. For Spanish - https://bit.ly/3wPjKju