Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea as the fifth bishop of the 10-county Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

On February 27, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archdiocese of Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Earl Boyea as the fifth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing. Bishop Boyea succeeds Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, who has led the diocese since January 25, 1996.            

Bishop Boyea was born April 10, 1951. His home parish was Our Lady of the Lakes in Waterford and he attended the parish school. After eighth grade, he entered Sacred Heart Seminary High School and then attended its college, where he earned a B.A. in history. From there, he went to the North American College in Rome and studied at the Gregorian University, where he received an S.T.B in 1976 and an S.T.L. in biblical theology in 1980.           

He was ordained a priest on May 20, 1978. After ordination, he served as associate pastor at St. Michael Parish, Monroe, and then at St. Timothy Parish, Trenton. After a brief stint as the temporary administrator at St. Christine Parish, Detroit, he returned to Sacred Heart Seminary as professor of church history and scripture. In addition to assisting with Masses on weekends, Father Boyea earned an M.A. in American history from Wayne State University in 1984. In 1987, he received his Ph.D. in church history from the Catholic University of America. From 1990 through 2000, he served as dean of studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and in 2000, was named a prelate of honor to his holiness.

After a six-month tenure as rector/president of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, he was named auxiliary bishop of Detroit and titular bishop of Siccenna. He was ordained bishop September 13, 2002. His motto, in manus tuas (into your hands) is taken from the final words of Jesus on the cross according to the Gospel of Luke. As auxiliary bishop of Detroit, Bishop Boyea was given responsibility for the northwest region of the Archdiocese of Detroit, which includes the following vicariates: Birmingham-Boomfield-Troy, Farmington-Southfield, Lakes, Pontiac and Southeast Oakland.            

Bishop Boyea is a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee on Priestly Formation. He is also a member of the following societies: Catholic Biblical Association, Fellowship of Catholic Scholars, American Historical Association and the U.S. Catholic Historical Society. His writings have appeared in a variety of publications, including the Catholic Historical Review and Michigan Historical Review.           

Bishop Boyea will be installed as the bishop of Lansing on April 29 at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, East Lansing. On April 28, a vespers service will be held at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing.            

Bishop Boyea will succeed Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, now age 77. As is customary, Bishop Mengeling submitted his letter of resignation upon his 75th birthday. Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Mengeling’s resignation February 27, 2008. Until Bishop Boyea’s installation, governance of the diocese rests with its college of consultors or with an administrator appointed by them or the Vatican