New Bishop: Pittsburgh Auxiliary Paul Bradley named Kalamazoo, MI bishop

The most "overdue" diocese in Michigan gets its replacement today:

Pope Benedict XVI has named an auxiliary bishop from Pittsburgh to be the new bishop of the 100,000-member Diocese of Kalamazoo.

The diocese said Monday that 63-year-old Paul J. Bradley replaces Bishop James A. Murray, who submitted his mandatory resignation after turning 75.

Bradley was born in Glassport, Pa., and attended high school, college and graduate theology studies at St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind. He holds a master's in social work degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Diocese of Kalamazoo serves about 100,000 Roman Catholics in Michigan's Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch counties. (AP)

A canon lawyer, and one-time chancellor of the Lansing diocese. More from the USCCB and Whispers.

Bishop Cooney of Gaylord, MI is almost a month past his retirement age, while Bishop Hurley of Grand Rapids, MI still has a few years to serve. The other dioceses in MI are at least 10 years until replacement.