News Release #335

Released to media on June 12, 2001

New Ulm, MN - Pope John Paul II has officially named the Most Reverend John Clayton Nienstedt, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, as the third Bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm. The Vatican released the formal announcement on Tuesday, June 12, 2001.

Bishop Nienstedt is a native of Detroit, born March 18, 1947. He is the son of Jack and Betty Nienstedt of Harrison Township and the second oldest in a family of six children. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1969 at Sacred Heart Seminary, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1972. He holds a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Institute of Saint Alphonsus, Rome.

He was ordained to the priesthood on July 27, 1974, at Sacred Heart Church, Dearborn, Michigan. His first assignment was associate pastor at Guardian Angels Church, Clawson, Michigan until 1976. For three years, from 1977 to 1980, he served as priest-secretary to Cardinal John Francis Dearden, Archbishop of Detroit. During this time he was also assigned as part-time professor of Moral Theology at St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, Michigan. From 1979 to 1980 he was Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Detroit.

During the early 80's he was assistant chaplain to the Baby Jesus Hospital, Rome, Italy, and chaplain to the Brothers of Holy Cross, Notre Dame High School for Boys in Rome. During the 1986 school year he was an adjunct professor of Moral Theology at the Orchard Lake Schools. In 1987 he became the Designated Rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary and later the Rector of both the College and School of Theology.

From 1988 to the present Bishop Nienstedt has served as assistant professor of Moral Theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He was appointed by Cardinal Adam J. Maida as Director of the Archdiocesan Medical-Moral Committee of Detroit from September 1995 to the present.

On June 12, 1996, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Alton and Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit and ordained as Auxiliary Bishop July 9, 1996. On August 8, 1996, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the south region of the Archdiocese serving 88 parishes.

He has been an active member of the Catholic Theological Society of America; M.A.T.S. (Midwest Association of Theological Schools); and the Association of American Colleges.

Bishop Nienstedt holds several honorary appointments, Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope John Paul II, bearing the title, Monsignor, 1985; Prelate of Honor, 1990; and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, 1994.

Bishop Nienstedt has taught and lectured on subjects of moral theology including, The Churches' Response to AIDS; Toward a Liberation Theology for the First World: The Preaching of Richard Rohr; Contemporary Moral Challenges; and Project Life: A Response to the Culture of Death.

On June 12, 2001, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Nienstedt the third Bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota.