John Francis Doerfler

Current Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette.

What is John Francis Doerfler known for?

Born November 2, 1964, in Appleton, Wisconsin, John Francis Doerfler is an American prelate who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Marquette in Michigan since 2014. He is an alum of Appleton West High School, graduating in 1983.

Doerfler furthered his education at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he earned his Bachelor of Philosophy and Bachelor of Classics degrees in 1987. He then journeyed to Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, acquiring a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1990. His pursuit of knowledge continued at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1997. Doerfler also earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology and Doctor in Sacred Theology degrees from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at Catholic University in 1999 and 2008, respectively.

Doerfler was ordained a priest by Bishop Robert Banks for the Diocese of Green Bay on July 13, 1991. His first appointment was at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Little Chute, Wisconsin, serving as a parochial vicar from 1991 to 1995. His roles within the church expanded over time, including positions such as defender of the bond for the diocesan tribunal, assistant chancellor, judge for the tribunal, chancellor, and vicar general, posts he maintained from 2005 to 2013.

Prior to his appointment as bishop of Marquette, he served as the chaplain to Legatus, a Catholic organization of lay business people, and as a member of the diocesan College of Consultors. On December 17, 2013, Pope Francis appointed Doerfler as the bishop of the Diocese of Marquette. His consecration as the diocese's thirteenth bishop took place on February 11, 2014, officiated by Archbishop Allen Vigneron.

In 2011, Doerfler was involved in a lawsuit deposition, declaring that he destroyed records related to potential sexual abuse crimes by priests in the diocese. He stated that this action was in accordance with federal privacy laws, and was part of an initiative led by Bishop David Ricken.