Father Michael J.K. Fuller Named New Associate General Secretary of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

WASHINGTON—Rev. Michael J.K. Fuller was appointed Associate General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on November 19. Father Fuller, a priest of the Diocese of Rockford, has served as executive director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs since August 2016 and will continue to lead the secretariat while also serving as administrator of the USCCB’s pastoral offices and a member of the executive staff. The appointment takes effect immediately.

“I have had the privilege of working with Father Fuller for the last four years,” said USCCB General Secretary Msgr. Jeffrey D. Burrill, who made the appointment. “He has extensive experience working with Conference committees and staff as well as with several of our key collaborating organizations. Father Fuller has gained the trust and respect of many including me. We have a common vision, and we are eager to carry out the priorities of the bishops under the leadership of Archbishop Gomez.”

“I am very grateful for this new opportunity to serve the bishops and the Church, and I thank Monsignor Burrill and Archbishop Gomez for the confidence they have placed in me,” said Father Fuller. “I also am grateful to Bishop Malloy who has generously allowed me to continue at the USCCB in this new role.”

Prior to his service at the USCCB, Father Fuller was associate professor and chair of the Department of Spiritual Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary from 2011 to 2016. He was also editor of the Chicago Studies Theological Journal (2012-2016), and from 2002 to 2016, he served as spiritual director and instructor for the Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of Rockford, and as instructor for the Diaconate Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Father Fuller also served as instructor, assistant professor, and chair of the Department of Christian Life (2002-2011), at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He taught at the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska (2004-2008); and was instructor in Health Care Ethics at Saint Anthony School of Nursing, Rockford, Illinois (1998-2000). He also served as associate pastor of St. Bridget parish, Loves Park, Illinois (1997-2000).

Father Fuller holds a doctorate in sacred theology. He also holds a master of divinity, a licentiate of sacred theology and a bachelor of sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Rockford, in 1997. Prior to entering seminary formation, Father Fuller spent two years in Swaziland, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer. Father Fuller has written extensively in numerous scholarly publications and is the author of two books: Daily Prayer 2008 and The Virgin Martyrs: A Hagiographical and Mystagogical Interpretation.

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