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Chicago (Feb. 26, 2025) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will ordain five new auxiliary bishops – Timothy J. O’Malley, Lawrence J. Sullivan, José María Garcia-Maldonado, Robert M. Fedek and John S. Siemianowski – at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2025, at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 N. State St., Chicago. Cupich will serve as consecrator and principal celebrant of the Mass. Coconsecrators of the five new bishops will be Most Reverend Bishop G. Casey, archbishop-designate of Cincinnati, and Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob, archbishop of Milwaukee. Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, will present the mandates from the Holy See at the Ordination Mass, which will be concelebrated by bishops and priests from throughout the archdiocese. Also attending will be deacons, members of religious orders, seminarians and honored guests from the ecumenical and interreligious community.

“We are grateful to the Holy Father for the gift of these new auxiliary bishops,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “These fine archdiocesan priests reflect the people of this particular church and the many talents of our local presbyterate. Yet, each has a solid and notable record of pastoral service rooted in their shared fidelity to the Gospel and their generosity in using their unique gifts for the good of the church and society.”

An auxiliary bishop is a bishop assigned by the Holy See to assist the resident bishop or archbishop in the pastoral care and administration of a diocese. Auxiliary bishops also help the archbishop administer the sacraments, especially confirmation, and often represent him at various celebrations.

The rite of ordination follows the reading of the Gospel and the singing of the “Veni Creator Spiritus,” a ninth century hymn, attributed to Rabanus Maurus, invoking the Holy Spirit during special liturgical celebrations. Reverend Matthew O’Donnell, chairman of the Presbyteral Council will present the bishops-elect for ordination on behalf of the Catholic community. Pierre will then read the Apostolic Letters of Pope Francis which authenticates the discernment process of the church and the Holy Father’s choice of these five priests for ordination to the episcopate.

After the homily, the bishops-elect will make solemn promises of faithfulness and service before prostrating themselves in prayer. The laying on of hands by Cupich and all attending bishops signifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The new bishops will then be anointed with Sacred Chrism (oil) and receive the symbols of their office: the book of the Gospels, which represents their ministries of preaching and teaching; a bishop’s ring, which represents their fidelity and bond to the church; the miter, a liturgical headdress customary for bishops; and a crosier, also known as a pastoral staff, that reflects the role of a bishop who gathers and shepherds the people of God. The rite concludes with the kiss of peace, a sign of welcome into the episcopacy.

Live coverage of the ordination is available at https://www.archchicago.org/bishopordination Following the Mass, the newly ordained auxiliary bishops will greet and bless the faithful in attendance.

About the New Auxiliary Bishops

Bishop Timothy J. O’Malley was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, in 1959. He holds a B.S. in Management from Purdue University, a CPA, and a J.D. from DePaul University College of Law. After discerning a call to the priesthood, he earned an STB and Master of Divinity from the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and was ordained in 1997. He served as associate pastor at St. Agnes of Bohemia Parish and as pastor of St. James Parish, Highwood; St. Joseph Parish, Round Lake; and St. Genevieve Parish, Chicago. He currently serves as pastor of Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan. In addition, he has been a member of the Priests’ Placement Board and Dean in Vicariates IVC, IVA and IB.

Bishop Lawrence J. Sullivan was born in Chicago in 1966. He studied at Niles College Seminary of Loyola University and the University of St. Mary of the Lake, where he earned his Master of Divinity. He was ordained in 1992 and served as associate pastor and later pastor of St. Celestine Parish in Elmwood Park. He then became pastor of St. Christina Parish in 2008 and Christ the King Parish in 2014, both in Chicago. Since 2023, he has served as Interim Vicar for Vicariate VI. He has also worked in the bereavement ministries of the archdiocese since 2013 as associate priest director and as interim priest director of Catholic Cemeteries. He is a member of the Archdiocesan School Board and has been a member of the College of Consultors and a member and vice-chair of the Presbyteral Council.

Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado was born in San Julián, Jalisco, Mexico, in 1979. He attended seminary in Arandas, Jalisco, before immigrating to the U.S. and joining Casa Jesus Program in Chicago. He completed his theological studies at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and was ordained in 2008. He has served as associate pastor at St. Sylvester Parish and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines and administrator of Our Lady of Tepeyac Parish. He later became administrator and then pastor of Good Shepherd Parish, followed by his appointment as pastor of San Jose Sanchez del Rio Parish in Chicago where he currently serves. He has also was assistant director of vocations at St. Joseph's College Seminary, a Member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors and Dean of Vicariate IVC and IVA.

Bishop Robert M. Fedek was born in Bielsko-Biala, Poland, in 1979. He entered the Archdiocesan Theological Seminary in Kraków before moving to Chicago, where he continued his formation at the Bishop Abramowicz Preparatory Seminary and the University of Saint Mary of the Lake, earning his Master of Divinity. Ordained in 2005, he served as associate pastor at Saint Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Mundelein, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish and Immaculate Conception Parish (Talcott) in Chicago, and later as administrative secretary to Cardinal Cupich. He has also served the archdiocese as Assistant Vocation Director in Vicariate I, Member of the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors and as Coordinator of the Polish Ministry.

Bishop John S. Siemianowski was born in Chicago in 1960. He attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake, earning a Master of Divinity, and was ordained in 1989. He served as associate pastor at St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lake Zurich, and St. Mary Parish, Buffalo Grove, before taking on pastoral leadership at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Orland Hills. He later served as pastor of St. Agnes, St. Paul, and St. Kieran Parish in Chicago Heights. In 2021, he was named pastor of St. Juliana Parish in Chicago where he continues to serve. He has also served as a Member and Executive Secretary of the Priest Placement Board.