NEW ULM -- A new administrator for the Catholic Diocese in New Ulm was elected Thursday by the College of Consulters.
Monsignor Douglas L. Grams, the former vicar general of the Diocese of New Ulm, was elected to serve as the diocesan administrator until a new bishop is appointed to the area.
"I am honored to serve as interim administrator for the Diocese of New Ulm until our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, appoints a new bishop for our diocese," Monsignor said in a news release.
Grams' predecessor, Archbishop John C. Nienstedt, had been serving the diocese as the apostolic administrator while performing his duties as co-adjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Grams will continue to be the pastor of the Church of St. Mary in New Ulm during his interim administration.
According to the Code of Canon Law, when the bishop of a diocese vacates his office and no simultaneous appointment is made, a diocesan administrator is elected by the College of Consultors. The diocesan administrator is elected from the active priests of the diocese and is at least 35 years of age.
