Official: Aux. Bp. Earl Boyea takes over Lansing Diocese

From the Italian Vatican bulletino, Earl Boyea will be the fifth bishop of Lansing:

"Il Papa ha nominato Vescovo di Lansing (U.S.A.) S.E. Mons. Earl A. Boyea, finora Vescovo titolare di Siccenna ed Ausiliare dell’arcidiocesi di Detroit.

S.E. Mons. Earl A. Boyea."

The Lansing diocese website has been updated.

Mlive.com reports that Boyea, 56, will be installed as bishop at 2pm, April 29th in Lansing.

Local ABC 12 has a frontpage graphic and a good accompanying biography:

Bishop Boyea was born April 10, 1951. His home parish was Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford where he attended the parish school. After eighth grade, he entered Sacred Heart Seminary High School and then attended its college, where he earned a B.A. in history. From there, he went to the North American College in Rome and studied at the Gregorian University, where he received an S.T.B in 1976 and an S.T.L. in biblical theology in 1980.

He was ordained a priest on May 20, 1978. After ordination, he served as associate pastor at St. Michael Parish, Monroe, and then at St. Timothy Parish, Trenton. After a brief stint as the temporary administrator at St. Christine Parish, Detroit, he returned to Sacred Heart Seminary as professor of church history and scripture. In addition to assisting with Masses on weekends, Father Boyea earned an M.A. in American history from Wayne State University in 1984. In 1987, he received his Ph.D. in church history from the Catholic University of America. From 1990 through 2000, he served as dean of studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and in 2000, was named a prelate of honor.

In February 2000, Msgr. Boyea became rector/president of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He served there until he was named auxiliary bishop of Detroit and titular bishop of Siccenna. He was ordained a bishop Sept. 13, 2002. His motto, in manus tuas (into your hands), is taken from the final words of Jesus on the cross, according to the Gospel of Luke.

Jeremy Priest, a Detroit local, called it, and has this to say about Boyea:

I'm betting on Detroit Auxiliary, Bishop Earl Boyea, but it's anyone's guess. I've found Boyea to be one of the more articulate voices among those who speak regularly at the Bishop's Conference meetings, so that would be nice. I'm also of the opinion that Boyea might have the gumption to intervene with Governor Granholm and her scandelous promotion of abortion.

Bishop Boyea was my rector when I was a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He was also the academic dean at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and has a more-than-adequate academic background to oversee a diocese with two of the state's most significant universities.

re: the Granholm situation. At this point, I'm not holding my breath.

Dr. Philip Blosser notes that "His Excellency, Bishop Earl A. Boyea has also served as celebrant in the Sunday morning Tridentine Mass," rearranging his schedule to do so often.

I've been very impressed with what I've seen of Bishop Boyea. I think he will do a great job in Lansing.

more: backstory here.

update: Rocco provides his excellent coverage, and a bonus:

According to the timetable's latest version, Detroit's new archbishop can be expected "after Easter, but before the pallium [29 June]."

Hmm. I've lost count of the number of missed deadlines/predictions/rumors on that one.

Associated Press has brief coverage, and the Lansing State Journal does little better.

Local Lansing Catholics are welcoming their new bishop across St. Blogs:

• Unam Sanctam Catholicam: "Let's hope all goes well with our new shepherd!"
• The Fox's Den:"I am curious to see what our new bishop shall bring."
• The Great Commandment: "Bishop Boyea ... was my teacher and spiritual director for two years. [He] is a man of deep prayer and great learning."
• Well: (a former classmate of mine notes my reference to another former classmate of mine).
• Our Life in Austria (but a Lansing native) notes the appointment. (also a former classmate of mine).

If you are a Catholic blogging in the Lansing diocese or in Michigan feel free to drop a link in the combox.

update 2: video of the announcement from the LSJ. (ph/t: "G8S".)