Michael G. McGovern

Michael George McGovern (born July 1, 1964) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as bishop of the Diocese of Belleville in Illinois since 2020.

Early life
Michael McGovern was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois. on July 1, 1964 to Joseph and Eleanor McGovern. He grew up in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood and attended Christ the King Grammar School. McGovern then entered St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, serving as a lector there and at his family's church.

McGovern entered Loyola University Chicago in 1982, where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1986. After working for four years, McGovern decided to enter the priesthood. He enrolled at University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois in 1990. McGovern received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Saint Mary in 1993 and a Master of Divinity degree from it in 1994.

Priesthood
On May 21, 1994, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin ordained McGovern to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago in Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned McGovern as an associate pastor at the following Illinois parishes:

McGovern left St. Mary in 1999 to serve as vice chancellor, then in 2000 as the archbishop’s delegate for extern and international priests. In 2003, the archdiocese assigned him as associate pastor of St. Juliana Parish. McGovern was appointed as pastor of St. Mary Parish in 2004, remaining in that position for the next 12 years.
 * Queen of the Universe in Chicago (1995 to 1998)
 * St. Mary in Lake Forest, Illinois (1998 to 1999). Also in 1998, Cardinal Francis George named McGovern as associate chancellor of the archdiocese.

In addition to his service at St. Mary, Cardinal George appointed McGovern as the dean of Deanery 1-A. In 2013, he became a board member of St. Ignatius. McGovern was transferred from St. Mary to serve as pastor of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish in Old Mill Creek, Illinois in 2016. Cardinal Blase Cupich named him as interim vicar of the archdiocese in February 2020.

Bishop of Belleville
On April 3, 2020, Pope Francis appointed McGovern as bishop of Belleville. His consecration took place on July 22, 2020, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville. His principal consecrator was Cardinal Blase Cupich, with Bishops George J. Rassas, and Edward Braxton serving as co-consecrators.

On October 27, 2020, McGovern removed Reverend Anthony Onyango from his position as administrator for two parishes, citing an allegation of "inappropriate behavior" with a minor.

In July 2022, McGovern announced plans to sell bishop's residence; he would move to a more modest space in the Cathedral of St. Peter rectory. The proceeds would subsidize several ministries and charities, including a fund for expectant mothers and children.