Photo by Clay Schuldt Bishop Chad Zielinski shows the Apostolic Mandate to the faithful during his installation Mass, as he officially takes possession of the New Ulm Diocese as the fifth bishop.

SLEEPY EYE — Bishop Chad William Zielinski officially became the fifth bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm during a special installation Mass Tuesday at the Church of St. Mary.

Apostolic Nuncio to the United States Christophe Pierre presented and read the Apostolic Mandate. After receiving the Mandate from the Nuncio, Zielinski showed the mandate to all in the sanctuary, then to the priests and faithful present. Through these actions, Zielinski took possession of the diocese.

In his homily following his installation, Zielinski read the prayers members of the New Ulm Diocese have been reciting for the last two years, requesting the appointment of a new bishop.

Zielinski said upon receiving the call to serve in New Ulm, he was pleased. As a native of farm country in Michigan, he felt returning to the Midwest was a homecoming.

He immediately began to research the New Ulm Diocese and learn of their prayer for a new bishop.

“It humbled me,” Zielinski said. “It pierced me to the core of my being.”

The prayer reminded him that all the people throughout the Universal Catholic Church.

“They’re asking for holy deacons, holy priests and holy bishops,” he said.

The call for holiness was strong and Zielinksi wanted to assure the members of the diocese he would work hard in his new role.

“I look forward to putting on my gloves and joining you in this hard work as we hear God, hand him our hearts and have renewed hope in God’s providence.”

Zielinski was announced as the diocese’s new bishop in July. He succeeds Bishop John M. Levoir, who led the diocese from July 14, 2008, until retiring on Aug. 6, 2020. Monsignor Douglas L. Grams, administrator of the Diocese of New Ulm, served as diocesan administrator since Aug. 10, 2020.

Zielinksi previously served as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska.

Zielinski was born on Sept. 8, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating High School in 1982, Zielinski enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and attended Boise State College and Park College, when he felt the call to serve as a priest. He entered Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Oregon, earning a bachelor’s degree with honors in philosophy in 1989.

He was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Gaylord and entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit to complete his spiritual formation and theological studies, receiving his Master of Divinity degree in 1996.

Following the terrorist attacks of 2001, Zielinski felt a special tug to minister to those in the military service. In 2002, he began his chaplaincy at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

In the course of his military career, Zielinski served three tours of duty in war zones, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He received numerous military awards and decorations for his service and was promoted to major in July 2013. In 2012 he was called to Alaska to serve as chaplain to the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks.

Zielinski was ordained and installed as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska, on Dec. 15, 2014. Zielinski became the first active duty chaplain in the U.S. Armed Forces to be appointed a Catholic bishop.