Carl Frederick Mengeling

Carl Frederick Mengeling (October 22, 1930 – July 1, 2025) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Lansing in Michigan from 1996 to 2008.

Biography Mengeling was born on October 22, 1930, in Hammond, Indiana, to Carl H. and Augusta Huke Mengeling. Raised in a Lutheran family, Mengeling converted to Catholicism at age nine. He attended St. Mary Elementary School in Griffith, Indiana, and graduated from Griffith High School in 1948. Mengeling then entered St. Meinrad College and Seminary in Saint Meinrad, Indiana.

Priesthood On May 25, 1957, Mengeling was ordained to the priesthood for the new Diocese of Gary by Bishop Andrew Grutka at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Indiana. After his ordination, Mengeling became associate pastor of St. Mark's Parish in Gary.

After returning to Indiana in 1964, Mengeling began teaching at Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, Indiana, St. Joseph Calumet College in East Chicago, Indiana, and St. Procopius Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. He received his episcopal consecration on January 25, 1996, from Cardinal Adam Maida, with Bishops Kenneth Povish and Dale Melczek serving as co-consecrators, in St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing, Michigan. Mengeling selected as his episcopal motto: "He must increase", from John 3:30. During his tenure, Mengeling opened several parochial schools and churches. He also involved himself with the activities of Hispanic, Vietnamese, and African-American Catholics in his diocese. In 2003, In response to sexual misconduct scandals among the clergy, Mengeling instituted the Virtus program and visited retreats for victims of sexual abuse.

Retirement and legacy Pope Benedict XVI accepted Mengeling's retirement as bishop of Lansing on February 27, 2008. He was succeeded by Bishop Earl Boyea. Mengeling died in the early hours of July 1, 2025, in Mother Teresa House for the Care of the Terminally Ill in Lansing. He was 94.