Walter A. Hurley

Walter Allison Hurley (born May 30, 1937) is a Canadian-born American Catholic prelate who served as bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan from 2005 to 2018. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit in Michigan from 2003 to 2005.

Hurley also served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gaylord and the Diocese of Saginaw, both in Michigan.

Biography

Early life and education Walter Hurley was born on May 30, 1937, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Charles and Anne (née Ball) Hurley. One of six children, he has four sisters, Elizabeth, Eileen, Charlene, and Annette; and one brother, Gerald. He attended St. Dunstan Grade School in Fredericton, and St. Anne High School in Church Point, Nova Scotia.

In 1955, Hurley immigrated to the United States, settling in Detroit. After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Hurley to the following parish appointments: Pastoral vicar at St. Dorothy in Warren (1965–1969) Vicar for the Warren-Centerline Vicariate (1969–1972) As an auxiliary bishop, he was responsible for the Northwest Region of the archdiocese, which encompasses Oakland and Lapeer Counties. Hurley served in Saginaw until July 2019.

In October 2023, the Archdiocese of Detroit named Hurley as moderator of the Waters of Light Family of Parishes in the archdiocese.