James Henry Garland

James Henry Garland (born December 13, 1931) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Garland served as bishop of the Diocese of Marquette in Michigan from 1992 to 2005 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in Ohio from 1984 to 1992.

Biography

Early life and education James Garland was born on December 13, 1931, to a farm family in Wilmington, Ohio. He has four brothers and two sisters. In 1953, Garland graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Education degree. That same year, he began seminary studies, graduating from Mount Saint Mary's Seminary of the West in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a Master of Education degree in 1960. In 1965, Garland received a Master of Social Work degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Priesthood On August 15, 1959, Garland was ordained a priest in Cincinnati by Archbishop Karl Alter for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. After his ordination, Garland was posted to several parishes in the archdiocese. He also directed the Catholic Charities offices in Springfield, Ohio, and Dayton, Ohio, and then the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Charities.

While auxiliary bishop, Garland directed the archdiocesan Departments of Community Services and Pastoral Services.

Bishop of Marquette On October 6, 1992, John Paul II appointed Garland as the eleventh bishop of Marquette. He was installed on November 11, 1992

During this time, the diocese celebrated the Jubilee Year 2000. Events included a diocesan-wide celebration of the sacrament of confirmation at the Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan, at which 656 youths received the sacrament. An estimated 2,500 people attended a liturgical celebration on August 20 at the Mattson Lower Harbor Park, also in Marquette.

Garland was a member of the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He served as chair of the Committee for the Campaign for Human Development from November 1992 to November 1995, and as chair of the bishops of Region VI from November 1995 to November 1997.

Retirement On December 13, 2005, John Paul II accepted Garland's letter of resignation as bishop of Marquette. He was replaced by Bishop Alexander K. Sample.

After his retirement, Garland served for two years as executive director of the Bishop Baraga Association. He also wrote columns for The U.P. Catholic, presided at confirmations and other events and celebrated mass regularly at the Cathedral Parish and other parishes of the diocese.