Pope Leo XIV Bestows Title of “Monsignor” on U.S. Bishops’ General Secretary Fr. Michael Fuller - USCCB

Pope Leo XIV Bestows Title of “Monsignor” on U.S. Bishops’ General Secretary“In his work, Fr. Fuller has demonstrated a pastoral heart, a theologian’s mind, and a worthy steward’s deft guiding hand,” said Archbishop Coakley, president of the USCCB, in making the surprise announcement during the USCCB’s Administrative Committee meeting.

March 10, 2026
WASHINGTON – Pope Leo XIV has bestowed the designation of “Chaplain to His Holiness” upon Reverend Michael J.K. Fuller, General Secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). The pontifical honor comes with the title of Monsignor.

“In his work, Fr. Fuller has demonstrated a pastoral heart, a theologian’s mind, and a worthy steward’s deft guiding hand,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the USCCB, in making the surprise announcement during the USCCB’s Administrative Committee* meeting. He continued, “Last fall my predecessor, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, along with Fr. Fuller’s ordinary, Bishop David Malloy of Rockford, desired to bring an awareness of the exemplary priesthood and work of Fr. Fuller to the Holy Father. Together it was proposed that Fr. Fuller be duly recognized for his priestly life and his service to the broader Church as a seminary formator, a theologian, and as General Secretary.”

Monsignor Fuller is a priest of the Diocese of Rockford and has served the U.S. bishops for the last decade in a variety of roles at the Conference, beginning in 2016 as the head of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Canonical Affairs, and then in the offices of the General Secretariat since 2021.

Prior to his service at the USCCB, Monsignor 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.

Monsignor 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).

Monsignor Fuller holds a doctorate in sacred theology, 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, Monsignor Fuller spent two years in Swaziland, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer. He 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.

*Led by the Conference president, the Administrative Committee is comprised of the USCCB’s officers, chairmen of the Conference’s standing committees, as well as a representative from each episcopal region of the United States. The committee operates as the board of directors of the Conference.

###USCCB Release