Archbishop of Dubuque Retires Due to Health Reasons

The Archbishop of Dubuque has retired.

Archbishop Michael Jackels’s request to retire early for health reasons has been granted by Pope Francis – and it went into effect immediately on Tuesday.

Until a new Archbishop is named, Bishop Richard Pates, retired Bishop of Des Moines, has been appointed by Pope Francis as Apostolic Administrator.

Jackels shared a message with the Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese, saying he has enjoyed “getting to know you, praying with you, sharing meals together, joining you as a partner in ministry”.

He had served as the Archbishop of Dubuque for nearly ten years.