John Francis Doerfler

Doerfler was born on November 2, 1964, to Henry and Germaine Mancl Doerfler in Appleton, Wisconsin.[1] He attended Appleton West High School and graduated in 1983. He earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree and Bachelor of Classics degree at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1987.

Doerfler entered the seminary and was sent to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1990. In 1997, he was awarded a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America. Doerfler continued his studies at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family on the campus of the Catholic University of America receiving his Licentiate in Sacred Theology and Doctor in Sacred Theology degrees (1999 and 2008).[2]

On July 13, 1991, Doerfler was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Little Chute, Wisconsin from 1991-1995. Returning to Wisconsin, Doerfler was appointed defender of the bond for the diocesan tribunal and parochial vicar of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Parish in Green Bay. He also worked as assistant chancellor, judge for the tribunal, chancellor, and vicar general, posts he has held from 2005 to 2013. Prior to his appointment as bishop of Marquette, he served as the chaplain to Legatus, a Catholic organization of lay business people, and a member of the diocesan College of Consultors. He eventually served as the vicar general.[2]

In 2011, Doerfler stated in a lawsuit deposition that he destroyed records relating to possible sexual abuse crimes by priests in the diocese. He said that the records were destroyed in accordance to federal privacy laws and as part of an initiative by Ricken.[3]

On December 17, 2013, Pope Francis appointed Doerfler as the bishop of the Diocese of Marquette. He was consecrated the as diocese's thirteenth bishop on February 11, 2014.[4][5] He succeeded Bishop Alexander Sample who was appointed archbishop of Portland in Oregon.[1]

On June 19, 2014, Doerfler supported the decision of St. Michael’s Parish to suspend a parishioner from any part in liturgical services and membership on the pastoral council. The suspension happened one day after the man, Bob Brown, took part in a commitment ceremony with his male partner.