A New Bishop for Auckland

Bishop-elect Michael Andrew Gielen was born in 1971 in Cambridge, NZ, and was ordained priest in 1997.

He holds a Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Otago, a Master in Theology degree from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, USA, and a Licentiate in Theology from the St. Peter Favre Centre for Formators to the Priesthood and Religious Life, Gregorian University, Rome.

He has ministered as Assistant Priest at St Mary’s Star of the Sea, Gisborne; as Parish Priest, St. Columba, Frankton and Holy Name, Raglan; and in St Thomas More, Mount Maunganui and St Patrick’s, Te Puke.

From 2014 until 2019, he was Director of Formation at Holy Cross Seminary, Auckland. On 6 January 2020 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Auckland, and he will be ordained Bishop on 7 March in St Patrick’s Cathedral.