The Holy See announced on 13 March 2026 that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Godfrey Mullen OSB as the 10th Bishop of Belleville, Illinois. A monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, Bishop-elect Godfrey has been serving as the apostolic administrator of the diocese since May 2025, following the appointment of his predecessor, Archbishop Michael McGovern, to the See of Omaha.

Born in 1966 in Alton, Illinois, Bishop-elect Godfrey entered Saint Meinrad Archabbey in 1988. He professed his solemn monastic vows in 1992 and was ordained to the priesthood on 5 June 1994. His academic background is deeply rooted in the Benedictine tradition of liturgical excellence; he holds a doctorate in liturgical studies from The Catholic University of America, with a particular focus on liturgical catechesis.

Before his transition to full-time diocesan service, Fr. Godfrey held a variety of significant roles within his monastic community and its educational institutions. He served as a professor of liturgy at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, where he also held positions as vice-rector and director of liturgy. His appointment marks the third time in the 172-year history of Saint Meinrad Archabbey that one of its monks has been elevated to the episcopacy.

Since 2022, Fr. Godfrey has been closely integrated into the life of the Diocese of Belleville, serving as rector of the Cathedral of Saint Peter and pastor of Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady Queen of Peace parishes. During a news conference following the announcement, he expressed a profound sense of connection to the local Church, noting that he has spent nearly his entire life within the diocese and remains fascinated by the presence of Christ within its people.

Archbishop Michael McGovern welcomed the appointment, citing Fr. Godfrey’s prayerfulness, intelligence and liturgical expertise as vital assets for his new ministry. The Archbishop noted that the Bishop-elect’s years of priestly service and his Benedictine formation provide a stable foundation for shepherding the people of southern Illinois.

The episcopal ordination and installation of Bishop-elect Godfrey are scheduled to take place on 1 May 2026 at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville. As he prepares to transition from the monastery to the fullness of the priesthood, the Benedictine Confederation joins in prayer for his ministry, recognizing in this appointment a continued recognition of the monastic contribution to the wider ecclesial mission.