Pope Francis has appointed Very Rev. Daniel J. Felton as the Bishop of Duluth. Bishop-elect
Felton is a priest of the Diocese of Green Bay and currently serves on the Catholic Foundation Board of Directors as well as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese. The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on April 7, 2021 by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States. The Diocese of Duluth has been a vacant see since December 2019.
Bishop David L. Ricken said of the appointment of Father Felton, “I could not be more delighted that The Holy Father has chosen to elevate Father Dan Felton to the Episcopacy as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Duluth. Bishop-elect Felton, a native of the Diocese of Green Bay, has excelled in his service to this Diocese in the many positions he has held and has been a trusted advisor in his role as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. His presence, ministry and expertise will be sorely missed here, but he will bring many gifts to the faithful of the Diocese of Duluth.”
Bishop-elect Felton was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on February 5, 1955. He is the son of Carol and the late Ken Felton and the oldest of five children. The bishop-elect holds a B.A. degree from St. Norbert in Religious Studies and Psychology; a M.A. in Theology from St. John University, Collegeville, MN; a S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology and a Diploma. in Social Communications from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy.
Bishop-elect Felton was ordained a priest on June 13, 1981 by Bishop Wycislo. His parish assignments have included Holy Innocents in Manitowoc, St. Raphael the Archangel in Oshkosh, St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manitowoc, St. Edward in Mackville, St. Nicholas in Freedom and St. Mary in Greenville. Fr. Felton was also the Director of Affiliate Affairs for the Catholic Telecommunications Network of America.
Father Felton is a member of the Diocesan College of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, Leadership Roundtable, Priest Personnel Board, Diocesan Finance Council, Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of Green Bay Board of Directors and St. Norbert College Board of Trustees. He also served as a member of the National Advisory Council of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.