Joseph Mark Siegel (born July 18, 1963) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as bishop of the Diocese of Evansville in Indiana since 2017. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois from 2009 to 2017.
Early life and education
The youngest of nine children, Joseph Siegel was born on July 18, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois, to Francis and Marie Siegel. He was raised on a farm in Lockport Township. He was baptized at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet and attended the parish grammar school.[1]
Having decided to become a priest, Siegel in 1977 entered St. Charles Borromeo High School Seminary in Romeoville, Illinois, graduating in 1980. He then attended Joliet Junior College in Joliet, then continued his studies at St. Meinrad Seminary College in St. Meinrad, Indiana. Siegel graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from St. Meinrad in 1984.[1]
St. Mary Immaculate in Plainfield, (1994 to 1998);
St. Mary Nativity in Joliet (1998 to 2000);
Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, where he also served as master of ceremonies (2000 to 2004).[1]
Siegel was appointed pastor of Visitation Parish in Elmhurst, Illinois, in 2004. He would remain there for the next six years.[1]
Siegel was a member of the presbyteral council for nine years, including three years as chair, and was appointed to the college of consultors. He also served as director of continuing formation for priests, a member of the vocation board, a member of the priest personnel board, and dean of Eastern Will County.[1]
Within the Catholic Conference of Illinois, Siegel served on the executive committee as a priest representative and was chair of the Catholics for Life Department. He chaired the steering committee for the Joliet Diocesan Year of the Eucharist and the eucharistic congress. Siegel is a member of the Bishops Respect Life Advisory Board.[1]
On October 18, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Siegel as the sixth bishop of Evansville.[3] He was installed on Dec. 15, 2017, at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.[1]
The diocese released on February 22, 2019, a list of ten clerics in the diocese who faced credible accusations of sexual assault against minors.[4]