An official press conference is set for 11:00 AM today, but news is getting out that Pope Benedict XVI has named Reverend Monsignor Bernard A. Hebda as the next bishop in the Diocese of Gaylord. Bishop-elect Hebda was the Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts at the Vatican. Check out some of the links below to learn more about our new bishop!

Read Pope Benedict XVI Names New Bishop at Diocese of Gaylord

Read Pope names new bishop for Diocese of Gaylord at Catholic Diocese of Saginaw Blog

Read Bishop Bernie Goes to Gaylord... and Steel City Becomes "Sevenburgh at Whispers in the Loggia

And couldn't forget a link to his Wikipedia page!

Check back later for info from the press conference!

Update #1: Here's what the Bishop-elect had to say at his introductory press conference...

"I am both humbled and honored by our Holy Father’s decision to appoint me as Bishop Cooney’s successor," said Bishop-elect Hebda. "Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined that I would one day be the Bishop of Gaylord. I can remember being fascinated by a display of Bishop Baraga’s deerskin chasuble and having the greatest admiration for him when I read about his ministry at Harbor Springs and Cheboygan and on Beaver Island – but never did I have an inkling that the Lord would one day call me to serve His flock in the northern portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan.

"I am so grateful to Bishop Cooney not only for his kindness to me, but most especially for the way that he has been Christ’s gentle and guiding presence in this local Church over the past twenty years," Bishop-elect Hebda added. "I am honored to be given the opportunity to continue his good work.

"I look forward to getting to know the people of this Diocese – their needs, their strengths, their history, so that we can together strive to continue to make Christ’s presence felt in this portion of His vineyard," Bishop-elect Hebda concluded.

Update #2: Another article from Catholic News Agency.

Photo and quotes courtesy of the Diocese of Gaylord