Michael J. Byrnes
Michael Jude Byrnes (born August 23, 1958) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who was archbishop of the Archdiocese of Agaña in Guam from 2019 to 2023. He was an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit in Michigan from 2011 to 2016.
Michael Jude Byrnes | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop emeritus of Agaña | |
 Byrnes in 2016 | |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agaña |
| Appointed | October 31, 2016 |
| Installed | April 4, 2019 |
| Retired | March 28, 2023 |
| Predecessor | Anthony Sablan Apuron |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 25, 1996 by Adam Maida |
| Consecration | May 5, 2011 by Allen Henry Vigneron, John Clayton Nienstedt, and John M. Quinn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 23, 1958 |
| Previous post(s) |
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| Motto | Caritas Christi urget nos "The love of Christ compels us" |
| Styles of Michael Jude Byrnes | |
|---|---|
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| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Biography
Early life
Born in Detroit, Michigan, on August 23, 1958, Michael Ryan graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School.
Byrnes was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Adam Maida on May 25, 1996, for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Beginning in 2004, he served as vice rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit as well as a parish pastor.[1]
Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
On March 22, 2011, Byrnes was appointed titular bishop of Eguga and auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit.[2] He was consecrated by Archbishop Allen Henry Vigneron on May 5, 2011.[3]
Coadjutor Archbishop and Archbishop of Agaña
On October 31, 2016, Byrnes was appointed by Pope Francis as coadjutor archbishop with special faculties of the Archdiocese of Agaña.[4] He was installed as coadjutor archbishop on November 30.[5]
Although Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Agaña was found guilty on charges of the sexual abuse of minors by an Apostolic Tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on March 16, 2018, he was only suspended from the exercise of his authority over the archdiocese and retained his title pending the outcome of his appeals. Byrnes succeeded to the position of archbishop in everything except title at that time.[6]
Byrnes became archbishop of Agaña on April 4, 2019,[7] when Apuron lost his title, having exhausted his appeals.[8][9] On April 6, the Holy See Press Office confirmed that Byrnes had succeeded to the office of archbishop at the conclusion of judicial proceedings against Apuron.[10][11]
On March 28, 2023, Pope Francis accepted his resignation as archbishop for medical reasons. Byrnes had left Guam in June 2022 and been on medical leave for several months.[12]
References
- Kohn, Joe (March 24, 2011). "Abp. Vigneron: Detroit's two auxiliary bishops a 'great blessing'". The Michigan Catholic. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- "Rinunce e Nomine, 22.03.2011" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. March 22, 2011. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- "Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes, S.T.D." Archdiocese of Agaña. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- Glatz, Carol (November 1, 2016). "Pope sends Detroit bishop to Guam archdiocese hit by abuse allegations". National Catholic Reporter. Catholic News Service. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- Eugenio, Haidee V. (November 30, 2016). "Archbishop Byrnes to Guam: 'I belong to you, I'm one of yours'". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
- "Apostolic Tribunal of CDF Finds Guam Archbishop Guilty". Zenit. March 16, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, while continuing to hold the title of Archbishop of Agaña, no longer holds the faculties, rights or obligations pertaining to the Archbishop of Agaña. Without exception these have been granted to the Coadjutor Archbishop of Agaña, Most Reverend Michael J. Byrnes, S.T.D.
- Glatz, Carol (April 4, 2019). "Rejecting appeal, Vatican hands down final ruling against Guam bishop". Crux. Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- "Comunicato della Congregazione per la Dottrina della Fede, 04.04.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- "After Guam archbishop removed for 'horrible' sex abuse, Catholics pledge reform". Catholic News Agency. April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- "Resignations and Appointments, 06.04.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- "New Guam archbishop after predecessor's sex abuse verdict". Washington Post. Associated Press. April 6, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- Brockhaus, Hanna (March 28, 2023). "Guam Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes steps down for medical reasons". Catholic World Report. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
External links
