Bishop Donald Kettler
Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks
August 22, 2002 - Present
August 22, 2002 - Present
In the presence of Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Gabriel Montalvo, J.C.D., Msgr. Donald Kettler became the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks on August 22, 2002. Pope John Paul II announced the appointment of Msgr. Donald Kettler, pastor of Christ the King Parish, Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Friday, June 7. Msgr. Kettler replaces the Most Reverend Michael J. Kaniecki, S.J. who died August 6, 2000 of a massive heart attack prior to Mass in the Eskimo village of Emmonak, Alaska.In 1962, the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks was established with Bishop Francis Doyle Gleeson, S.J. serving as its first Ordinary until 1968. He was followed by Bishop George T. Boileau, S.J. as Coadjutor Bishop (1964-1965), Bishop Robert L. Whelan, S.J. (1969-1985), and Bishop Michael J. Kaniecki, S.J. (1984-2000). Bishop Kettler is the first diocesan priest chosen for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks.
The Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks remains today the only missionary diocese in the United States covering approximately 409,849 square miles reaching north of the Alaska Range from the Canadian border on the east to the Bering and Chukchi Seas on the west.
Bishop Michael W. Warfel served as the Apostolic Administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks since September 21, 2001 replacing Rev. Richard D. Case, S.J. who had served as Diocesan Administrator after the death of Bishop Michael J. Kaniecki, S.J.
A quote from Bishop Donald Kettler:
"I am grateful to our Holy Father for his trusting call to serve the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. For a number of years, I have had a personal interest in this Alaskan diocese and its people. I have been receiving the diocesan newsletter, "Alaskan Shepherd," for the last decade and recall an enjoyable visit to Fairbanks a few years ago. I have spent most of my years as a parish priest. I hope to bring this experience of pastoring with me to the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. I will certainly miss my diocese, family and parish, but I know that with current technology, we will be able to stay in close touch."
Bishop Donald Kettler was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 26, 1944 to Joseph and Marguerite Kettler. At an early age his family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he and his three siblings were reared.
He graduated from St. John University and Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota and was ordained to the priesthood on May 29, 1970. He became an Associate Pastor in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls from 1970 until 1979. From 1979 - 1981 he coordinated work for the Sioux Falls Diocesan offices and again from 1984 - 1987. In 1981 he attended The Catholic University of America for two years and received his licentiate degree in canon law (J.C.L.) and was then named the Judicial Vicar for the Sioux Falls Diocese in 1983. In 1984 he began ministry as the weekly TV Mass celebrant which continued until his move to Fairbanks.
He has served as Judicial Vicar for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, was a member of the Sioux Falls Diocesan Finance Council, Stewardship Committee, Catholic Family Services Board of Directors, the Association of Christian Churches of South Dakota Board of Directors, and a Board Member of the Sioux Falls Catholic School System.
He served as an associate pastor in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls until 1979, rector of St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls from 1987-95 and pastor of St. Lambert Parish, Sioux Falls from 1995-2000. His last assignment for the Sioux Falls Diocese was as pastor of Christ the King Parish, Sioux Falls since 2000.
Bishop Kettler is the third priest of the Sioux Falls Diocese to be named a bishop. Lambert Hoch was named Bishop of Bismarck in 1952 and Sioux Falls in 1956. Paul Anderson became Bishop of Duluth in 1968 and returned to Sioux Falls as auxiliary bishop in his retirement.
His brother Jim lives with his family in Dana Point, California while his sister Beth Fallgren lives with her family in Sturgis, South Dakota and Kathleen Morrissey lives with her family in Brandon, South Dakota. His mother, Marguerite, continues to reside in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.