Msgr. Robert D. Gruss Appointed Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota

Bishop-Elect Robert D. Gruss 

Class of 1994

Monsignor Robert D. Gruss has been appointed as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City. The announcement was made May 26 in Washington, D. C., by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-elect Gruss, 55, was ordained a priest in 1994 and is currently rector and pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa. A graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, he also earned degrees from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He served as vice rector and director of human formation at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City from 2007-2010.

In a statement released today by the diocese, bishop-elect Gruss said, “It is with deep humility and gratitude that I have accepted the Holy Father’s appointment as the next bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve God, the Catholic Church, and the people of the diocese. I am looking forward to getting to know the people here and to minister to them in the name of Jesus Christ.”

Father Steve Biegler, diocesan administrator during the nine months leading up to today’s announcement, stated, “On behalf of the Catholic Church in western South Dakota, I offer a warm welcome to Monsignor Gruss. I am confident he will be a strong spiritual leader with a heart of service. I would like to thank him for generously and willingly accepting the call to serve as our shepherd.”

Bishop-elect Gruss follows Blase J. Cupich, now bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, as the spiritual leader of the diocese. In a statement from Spokane, Bishop Cupich commented, “Our Holy Father Benedict XVI has singularly blessed the Diocese of Rapid City with the selection of a man well respected for his deep faith, pastoral experience, and proven leadership abilities. The church of Rapid City will soon come to know how blessed they are to have a shepherd so well suited to lead and love them.”

The Diocese of Rapid City is comprised of the 43,000 square mile area of South Dakota located west of the Missouri River. Originally established as the Diocese of Lead in 1902, it became the Diocese of Rapid City in 1930. Approximately 25,000 Catholics live in the diocese.