Bishop Robert Morneau

The Most Reverend Robert F. Morneau has generously shared his many gifts throughout his more than 40 years of church ministry.

He was born in New London, the fourth of six children of Leroy F. and Catherine (Fealey) Morneau. He graduated from Bear Creek High School and studied at St. Norbert College in De Pere and Sacred Heart Seminary in Oneida before earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Bishop Morneau was ordained to the priesthood on May 28, 1966, and worked as an assistant pastor in his hometown before accepting appointments in Manitowoc where he was a faculty member at Holy Family College and chaplain at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc community college and Park Town Home. He has also taught at the Summer Theological Institute of St. Norbert College and served on the college’s Board of Trustees.

Father Morneau became an Auxiliary Bishop on Feb. 22, 1979. He was one of the first American priests to be named a bishop by Pope John Paul II. Through the years, he has served the Diocese of Green Bay as a member of the College of Consultors and the Diocesan Finance Council; as the Vicar for Priests and the Vicar General; and as pastor of Resurrection Parish in Allouez.

He is not only an avid runner and golfer, but also a reader of poetry and prose; he peppers his homilies and talks with references to his favorite literary treasures. A poet and author himself, he has written several books, and many of his essays appear in such periodicals as U.S. Catholic, St. Anthony Messenger, America, and Emmanuel. In addition to writing, he gives retreats and lectures throughout the United States to lay groups as well as bishops and cardinals. He is considered the U.S. Catholic Church’s premier resource on stewardship.

He describes his ministry as this: “Priesthood has been a gift and a responsibility for me. As a gift, what a grace to be a part of so many people’s faith life. As a responsibility, it has brought a bundle of joys and sorrows, that is, a participation in the life of Jesus.”