Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger

Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger (born October 20, 1935) was the fourth Bishop of Evansville, Indiana.

Early life

Gettelfinger was born in Ramsey, Indiana, the fourth of eight children of Gerald and Mary Gettelfinger. He attended St. Meinrad High School, graduating in 1953 before attending Saint Meinrad School of Theology where he graduated in 1957. He was ordained a priest on May 7, 1961. Gettelfinger earned a MS Ed from Butler University in 1969.

Gettelfinger served as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from 1980–1988 and Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from 1988 to 1989.

Episcopacy

Gettelfinger was consecrated Bishop of Evansville on April 11, 1989.

Boy Scouts of America

Since 1998, Gettelfinger has served as bishop liaison to the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS). He was a chaplain at the 2001 National Scout Jamboree and has trekked at the Philmont Scout Ranch as part of the NCCS Saint George Trek. Gettelfinger received the Silver Buffalo Award in 2005.

At the May 2002 meeting, he was an opponent of the one-strike policy in the USCCB adopted Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. At the November 2002 bishops' meeting, he was one of seven bishops who voted against the new policies the US bishops voted upon to prevent sexual abuse of minors. He has admitted to allowing at least one convicted child molester serve as a priest in the diocese, as well as other known molesters.

Episcopal succession