Pope Francis names Chicago auxiliary bishop to lead Milwaukee Archdiocese
Jeffrey Grob, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Chicago, has been named as the new archbishop of Milwaukee.
Grob, 63, succeeds the Rev. Jerome Listecki, who gave his notice of retirement on his 75th birthday, as is required, in March, the Vatican announced Monday. Grob will be installed as archbishop Jan. 14.
“While still recovering from the surprise of the Holy Father’s appointment, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to take up this new role in my home state,” Grob said in an announcement by the archbishop of Milwaukee. “And trusting deeply in the Lord’s goodness, I commit myself to the service of the people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. I am excited to get to know them and look forward to growing together in faith.”
Grob was ordained as a priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in 1992 and has served in various roles. He was assistant pastor at Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity Parish in Winnetka and pastor at St. Celestine Parish in Elmwood Park.
He has also served the Archdiocese of Chicago as chancellor and judicial vicar. Grob was appointed auxiliary bishop in 2020.
In a statement, Cardinal Blase Cupich congratulated Grob on his new appointment.
"For more than 30 years, the Archdiocese of Chicago and the People of God have been the beneficiaries of Archbishop Jeffrey Grob’s compassion, scholarship and commitment to service," Cupich said. "Pope Francis has recognized Archbishop Grob’s extraordinary gifts and is returning him to his native state of Wisconsin as leader of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. Our deep gratitude and prayers go with him as he continues to follow Jesus and bring grace to the fortunate people of his new archdiocese."
Grob was born in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up on a dairy farm near Cross Plains. He attended St. Francis Xavier Grade School in Cross Plains and Holy Name High School Seminary in Madison.
He graduated from the Pontifical College Josephimun in Columbus, Ohio, in 1988 with a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies. He completed his graduate studies at the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein in 1999.
Grob received a doctorate of canon law degree from St. Paul University and a doctorate of philosophy degree from the University of Ottawa in Canada in 2007.