As mentioned earlier, this morning Pope Benedict XVI appointed Monsignor Robert Gruss, 55, former Vice-Rector of Rome’s Pontifical North American College, as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City. Bishop-elect Gruss succeeds Bishop Blase Cupich, who was sent west in June of last year to shepherd the Diocese of Spokane.

Msgr. Gruss was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Davenport in 1994 after completing his studies at Rome’s North American College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology from St. Ambrose University, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology and a Master of Spiritual Theology, both from the Angelicum.

Within the Diocese of Davenport, Gruss has held a variety of positions, including: Director of Vocations, Chancellor, Director of the Propagation of the Faith and Director of the Victim Assistance Program.

Bishop-elect Gruss was named a Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope Benedict in August 2007. Around that same time, Msgr. Gruss was returning to the Pontifical North American College where he would serve as Vice-Rector and Director of Human Formation until 2010. Until this morning, Gruss had been serving in his current position as Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport.

In a press release from the Davenport Diocese [PDF], Bishop-elect Gruss stated: “It is with deep humility and gratitude that I have accepted the Holy Father’s appointment as the next bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City. While it all seems a bit overwhelming at the moment, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve God, the Church and the people of this diocese.”

This morning, Pope Benedict XVI made the following appointments for the United States:

• Monsignor Robert Gruss, priest of the Diocese of Davenport and former Vice-Rector of the North American College in Rome, as bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City in South Dakota.
• Father Donald hying, priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary, as auxiliary bishop of the same archdiocese.

More detailed posts are in the works. Check back in a few.

Credit: Diocese of Steubenville

This morning, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop Robert Daniel Conlon, 62, as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois. He succeeds Bishop J. Peter Sartain who was appointed Archbishop of Seattle in September 2010.

Bishop Conlon was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on January 15, 1977 after completing his theological studies at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary of the West. Since becoming a priest, Conlon has served as associate pastor, as well as Director of the Office of Planning and Research and Assistant Chancellor for the Cincinnati Archdiocese.

In 1987 then-Father Conlon received the degrees of Doctor of Canon Law and Doctor of Philosophy from St. Paul University in Ottawa. Upon his return to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Conlon was appointed Chancellor and Director of the Department of Executive Services.

In 1996, the soon-to-be-bishop returned to parish life, being named pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish. Conlon served in that position until 2002, when he was appointed bishop of the Steubenville diocese by Pope John Paul II.

Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

According to local reports, a replacement for Bishop Victor Galeone will be announced tomorrow at Roman noontime. The Diocese of St. Augustine has scheduled a press conference for 10:30 a.m.

More in the morning!

Credit: Washington Post | AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

Pope Benedict XVI today named Washington’s Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl, 69, to the College of Cardinals. As a Cardinal, Cardinal-designate Wuerl will serve as an advisor to the Pope and will be eligible to vote in a Papal election until his 80th birthday. A consistory to formally elevate the new Cardinals will be held at the Vatican on November 20. A Mass with the Pope will be held the following day.

Cardinal-designate Wuerl said,

This truly is an honor for the Archdiocese of Washington, the Church in the nation’s capital, and for all of the clergy, religious and parishioners of this local Church who every day live out their faith in commitment and deep love for Christ. I am humbled by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s trust in me as shepherd of this flock and pledge to him my renewed fidelity, affection and loyalty.

Cardinal-designate Wuerl will celebrate Mass today, October 20, 2010, 8:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. He will be available to speak with the media immediately following Mass.