Pope Leo XIV confers title of 'monsignor' on U.S. bishops’ general secretary

Pope Leo XIV has bestowed the designation of “chaplain to His Holiness” upon Father Michael J.K. Fuller who serves as the general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The pontifical honor comes with the title of “monsignor” following Fuller’s work serving the U.S. bishops for the past decade in a variety of roles. Fuller was ordained a priest in 1997 in the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois.

“In his work, Father Fuller has demonstrated a pastoral heart, a theologian’s mind, and a worthy steward’s deft guiding hand,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the USCCB, when he announced the news at the bishop’s Administrative Committee meeting.

“Last fall my predecessor, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, along with Father Fuller’s ordinary, Bishop David Malloy of Rockford, desired to bring an awareness of the exemplary priesthood and work of Father Fuller to the Holy Father,” Coakley said. “Together it was proposed that Father Fuller be duly recognized for his priestly life and his service to the broader Church as a seminary formator, a theologian, and as General Secretary.”

In 2016, Fuller began his work with the USCCB serving as the head of the Secretariat for Doctrine and Canonical Affairs. He later joined the offices of the General Secretariat in 2021.

In his position as general secretary, Fuller has supported the work of the USCCB by coordinating administrative matters through the Office of the General Secretary. The office closely follows the work of the bishops’ committees and is responsible for the coordination of activities and staff.

With Fullerʼs leadership, the General Secretariat is also responsible for the preparation and arrangements of meetings for the Administrative Committee and Plenary Assemblies and for the maintenance of the USCCB’s files and archives.

Monsignor Fuller

Prior to entering seminary formation, Fuller spent two years in Swaziland, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Fuller holds a doctorate in sacred theology, a master of divinity, a licentiate of sacred theology, and a bachelor of sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where he has since served as an instructor, assistant professor, and chair of the Department of Christian Life.

Prior to his service with the USCCB, Fuller served as spiritual director and instructor for the Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of Rockford, and as instructor for the Diaconate Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

He also taught at the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska and at St. Anthony School of Nursing, in Rockford.

Fuller was the editor of the Chicago Studies Theological Journal, and has a number of scholarly publications in other journals. He is the author of two books, “Daily Prayer 2008” and “The Virgin Martyrs: A Hagiographical and Mystagogical Interpretation.”