John Francis Doerfler

John Francis Doerfler (born November 2, 1964) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who serves as bishop of the Diocese of Marquette, Michigan.

Early life and education

Doerfler was born on November 2, 1964 to Henry and Germaine Mancl Doerfler in Appleton, Wisconsin. He attended Appleton West High School and graduated in 1983. He earned aB.A. in Philosophy and Classics at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1987. He entered the seminary and was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) in 1990. In 1997, he was awarded a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L.) from the Catholic University of America.

Doerfler continued his studies at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family on the campus of the Catholic University of America receiving his Licentiate (S.T.L) and Doctorate (S.T.D) in Sacred Theology (1999 and 2008).

Ordination and ministry

On July 13, 1991, he was ordained a priest for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Father Doerfler’s first priestly assignment was as parochial vicar at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Little Chute, Wisconsin from 1991-1995.In next two years he earned his licentiate in canon law at The Catholic University of America.

When he returned to Wisconsin, he was appointed defender of the bond for the Tribunal of the Diocese of Green Bay and at the same time parochial vicar of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay, while earning his licentiate in sacred theology from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and the Family. He also worked as include assistant chancellor, judge for the Tribunal, chancellor, and vicar general, posts he has held 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 a member of the Diocesan College of Consultors.

Doerfler followed Cheyenne's Bishop David Ricken back to the Green Bay diocese in 2001 and eventually served as the vicar general.

Bishop of Marquette

On December 17, 2013, Pope Francis appointed Doerfler as the bishop of the Diocese of Marquette. He was consecrated the diocese's thirteenth bishop on February 11, 2014. He succeeded Alexander King Sample who was appointed archbishop of Portland, Oregon.