WASHINGTON (January 10, 2002) -- Pope John Paul II has appointed Father James Fitzgerald, pastor of St. Mary Church, Mokena, Illinois, as Titular Bishop of Walla Walla and Auxiliary Bishop of Joliet.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment.

James Fitzgerald was born in Chicago on December 30, 1938. He attended Catholic elementary schools in Chicago, Marmion Academy in Aurora, Illinois, and Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri.

He was ordained a priest of the Joliet diocese on May 23, 1964.

Following ordination, Father Fitzgerald held both pastoral and academic assignments in the diocese of Joliet. He was dean of students, then rector, of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Romeoville, from 1972 to 1978.

Bishop-elect Fitzgerald was pastor of St. Rose parish, Wilmington, 1979-1984, and pastor of St. Joseph parish, Downers Grove, from 1984 to 1997. He was appointed pastor of St. Mary parish, Mokena, in 1997.

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