# Edward Weisenburger

Edward Joseph Weisenburger (born 23 December 1960) is an American Catholic prelate who was named Archbishop of Detroit on February 11, 2025. He served as Bishop of Tucson from 2017 to 2025 and as Bishop of Salina from 2012 to 2017.

## Biography

Edward Weisenburger was born in Alton, Illinois, on December 23, 1960, to Edward and Asella (Walters) Weisenburger. He grew up primarily in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he attended St. Barbara School and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1979. He began his studies at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, graduating with honors in 1983. and then attend the American College Seminary at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He earned his Bachelor of Theology and Master of Religious Studies degrees in 1986. He received his Master of Arts in Religious Studies and Master of Moral and Religious Sciences degrees in Leuven in 1987.
On December 19, 1987, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City by Archbishop Charles Salatka. After his ordination, the Archdiocese assigned him to St. Mary Parish in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
He began studying at St. Paul University in Ottawa in 1990, earning a Licentiate of Canon Law degree in 1992. He returned to Oklahoma, and was appointed as Vice Chancellor and adjutant judicial vicar for the Archdiocese.
Weisenburger was appointed pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Okarche, Oklahoma from 1995 to 2002. In 1995, he also began 17 years of service on the Council of Priests and the Archdiocesan college of consultors. After the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995, he volunteered as an on-site chaplain for rescue workers. In 1996, Archbishop Eusebius J. Beltran named him as Vicar General of the archdiocese.
In 2002, Weisenburger was named pastor and then rector of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. He was also promoter of justice for the canonization of Reverend Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma priest murdered in 1981 by a death squad in Guatemala. On October 2, 2009, Weisenburger was appointed a prelate of honor with the title monsignor.
He was appointed bishop of Salina by Benedict XVI on February 6, 2012.
On October 3, 2017, Weisenburger was named the seventh bishop of Tucson by Pope Francis. He was installed on November 29, 2017.
On February 11, 2025, Weisenburger was appointed as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, succeeding Allen Vigneron. His installation is scheduled for March 18, 2025.

## Controversial Positions
### Handling of Sexual Abuse Cases

During his tenure in Oklahoma City, Bishop Weisenburger was criticized by survivors and advocacy groups like The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) for the Archdiocese's response to sexual abuse allegations. Critics argue that there was a lack of transparency and action in dealing with accused priests.
In 2018, as Bishop of Tucson, Weisenburger announced that 10 employees had been fired due to sexual misconduct allegations over the past decade. This action was part of his response to the broader national crisis within the Church in the U.S. concerning sexual abuse. However, many argue this was reactive rather than proactive in preventing abuse.
While he has publicly acknowledged past failures in handling abuse, his advocacy for the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and his role on the USCCB Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People have been seen as steps toward reform. However, many maintain that his leadership has been more about damage control than genuine accountability.

### Canonical Penalties for U.S. Catholics who follow Immigration Law

Bishop Weisenburger has been outspoken about illegal aliens, particularly at the U.S.-Mexico border. His suggestion in 2018 of canonical penalties, including denying Holy Communion and excommunication to Catholic federal agents following U.S. Immigration laws, sparked significant controversy. This stance placed him in opposition to political figures, segments of the public, and the Catholic faithful who support civil immigration laws, especially in regard to state sovereignty and its right to vet immigration, which is taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. His call for the Church to act as a "sanctuary for the human person" has been interpreted by many as the Church overstepping into political realms, igniting debates on the separation of Church and State, particularly in how religious institutions should engage with government policies.

### Advocacy for Climate Change

While advocating for environmental stewardship aligns with Pope Francis's "Laudato si'," Bishop Weisenburger's push for local action on climate change has been met with resistance from those who view environmental activism as outside the traditional scope of Church doctrine or as politically motivated. His positions have been criticized for impacting local economies, especially in Arizona, where water and resource management are contentious issues.

### Public Statements and Media Engagement

His direct comments on public policy, especially through media like X posts or interviews, have sometimes been viewed as overly political, leading to backlash from those who believe religious leaders should maintain neutrality or focus solely on spiritual guidance. The response to public criticism, including how he has managed media relations during controversial times, has been seen as either too defensive or not sufficiently engaging with critics in a way that promotes dialogue or accountability.