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Chicago-area priest is next bishop in southern Illinois

Posted April 03, 2020 7:00 am

The Associated Press

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Pope Francis has picked a Chicago-area priest as the next bishop of the Catholic Diocese in southern Illinois.

The Rev. Michael McGovern follows Bishop Edward Braxton, who is retiring as leader of the 28-county Belleville Diocese.

McGovern, 55, lately has been the pastor at St. Raphael the Archangel in Old Mill Creek in Lake County, a rural community close to the Wisconsin border.

He has had other parish assignments as well as leadership roles in the Chicago Archdiocese.

'œNow I look forward to meeting the many faith-filled people of the 28 counties in southern Illinois, hearing your stories of how you have encountered Jesus in your lives and how much the Lord has done for you,'ť McGovern said.

Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich said McGovern 'œwill be a strong and compassionate leader.'ť

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