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Robert Jacobson

b. 1940

American priest

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About Robert Jacobson

Born 1940. Robert Jacobson is a lutheran pastor and catholic priest.

Joseph Robert Jacobson (born 1940), known as Robert Jacobson, is a former Lutheran bishop who became a Roman Catholic priest upon his conversion from Lutheranism. He was formerly the Bishop of the Alberta Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Early life and Lutheran ministry

Jacobson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, in 1940, the son of a Lutheran minister. Jacobson served in missions all over Canada, serving in that position for 10 years.

During his term as Lutheran bishop, Jacobson ordained many women as ministers but he said that doesn't mean he endorses it for the Roman Catholic Church.

Conversion to Roman Catholicism and ordination to the priesthood

In 1998, almost five years after he took "early retirement" as Lutheran bishop, Archbishop Joseph MacNeil invited Jacobson to consider becoming a priest. Jacobson and his wife Carolyne, who live on a farm near Bashaw, Alberta, began the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Bashaw in 1999 and became Roman Catholics at the Easter Vigil of 2000.

Jacobson's conversion is also due to him to have served as co-chairman of the Lutheran–Catholic theological dialogue for Canada for almost eight years together with Adam Exner, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vancouver.

Forty years after he was ordained a Lutheran minister, Jacobson converted to Roman Catholicism and was ordained to the priesthood on February 2, 2007, in the Archdiocese of Grouard–McLennan in Canada.

Personal life

Jacobson also pursues interests in botany and animal life as well as in music and poetry. A prolific writer, he has written several books, the latest being All Nature Sings, a book of poems that speaks about creation and new creation through the eyes of the Scriptures.

In addition to English, Jacobson is fluent in German, French and Spanish.

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Important facts

Born
1940
Birth century
Education
St. Olaf College, University of Strasbourg, Luther Seminary
Positions held
Lutheran bishop
Also known as
Joseph Robert Jacobson

People in Robert Jacobson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Robert Jacobson's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Robert Jacobson?

American priest

When was Robert Jacobson born?

Robert Jacobson was born in 1940.

What is Robert Jacobson's occupation?

Robert Jacobson is a lutheran pastor and catholic priest.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Robert Jacobson

· Wikidata: Q22280055

· DBpedia: Robert Jacobson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Robert Jacobson. https://biography.guide/robert-jacobson/

MLA: "Robert Jacobson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/robert-jacobson/.

Chicago: "Robert Jacobson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/robert-jacobson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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