His early life

My family came from Germany after the First World War. None of my father’s family were Catholic — in fact, I later found out that none of them went to church. My father was very much against religion, even hostile at times. It was my Uncle August who taught me so much about my faith. He was a giant of a man and was very involved in the life of his parish. When I was nine years old, the Franciscan sisters led my sisters and me from our classrooms to the church where we were baptized by Msgr. Hildebrandt, the pastor. That day, I became a Catholic. It was beautiful, really wonderful.

On the call to the sacred priesthood

I studied at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana and was ordained a priest in May 1957. I spent five years at St. Mark Parish in Gary, before I was sent to Rome to study for a doctoral degree in moral theology. Bishop Grutka made all this happen — I didn’t know anything about it until I was sent for studies! When I came back in 1964, I began to teach at both the high school and the seminary level. I was also active in parish ministry. It was a great time, and there was never a dull moment.

On being asked to become Bishop of Lansing in 1995

I was pastor of St. Thomas More Parish in Munster, Indiana, at the time. I was sitting with my three associate priests when the call came. Archbishop Cacciavillan, the nuncio, asked me many questions, and I had a lot of questions for him. My three assistants were sitting there listening to everything and were mystified by the conversation. I was on the phone with the nuncio for more than 15 minutes. When the conversation finally ended, I turned to my assistants and said, “Well, there’s going to be a change.…”

On his first impressions of the Diocese of Lansing

Well, I can tell you two things. First, I knew absolutely nothing about the diocese. I had never been here in my life. I didn’t know any of the priests, and I didn’t know Bishop Kenneth Povish, who was the bishop here at the time. The second thing I can tell you is that I needed that change. […] It turned out to be a blessing that I didn’t know anything about the diocese. I didn’t have any preconceived notions. There’s such a good spirit among the priests here. The priests here helped me to understand the diocese, its people, and its geography.

On being Bishop of Lansing

Coming to the Diocese of Lansing was the best thing that has happened to me. I lost my mediocrity. I needed a challenge, and I didn’t even know it. When I arrived here, I found priests who were on fire. This was a whole new experience for me, and it has been a positive one. I’m happy here, and there is never a dull moment.

On life as an emeritus bishop

My prayer life is stronger than ever. I love the Divine Office. I have time to write and to read. There are lots of people who come over to visit me right here. They drop by, and we visit. I used to celebrate daily Mass in a nearby parish, but I don’t do that anymore. I’m happy, though, and I see many good things happening in the diocese. I think people are hungry. They are searching and yearning for the truth. And the Church can give them the truth.