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WASHINGTON (December 13, 2005)—Father Alexander K. Sample, chancellor of the Diocese of Marquette, Michigan, has been appointed Bishop of Marquette by Pope Benedict XVI. At the same time Pope Benedict accepted the resignation of Bishop James H. Garland, 74, as Bishop of Marquette.
Alexander K. Sample was born in Kalispell, Montana, on November 7, 1960.
Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, announced the appointment and resignation.
Bishop-elect Sample studied for the priesthood at the College of St. Thomas (St. John Vianney Seminary), St. Paul, Minnesota, and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.
He holds bachelor of science and master of science degrees in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan. In 1996, he earned a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome.
Bishop-elect Sample was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Marquette on June 1, 1990. Following ordination he served as parochial vicar at St. Peter Cathedral Parish, Marquette, 1990-1993; and as pastor of St. George Parish, Bark River; St. Michael Parish, Perronville; and Sacred Heart Parish, Schaffer; all in Michigan.
He has been chancellor of the Marquette Diocese since 1996.
Bishop-elect Sample also was a member of the diocesan presbyteral council, a consultor of the diocese and diocesan chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
The Marquette Diocese is 16,281 square miles and comprises the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan.