WASHINGTON, D.C.—Father Michael Fuller, has been named executive director of the Secretariat of Doctrine and Canonical Affairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The appointment was made May 24 by Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield, USCCB General Secretary, and is effective Aug. 8.

“I congratulate Father Fuller on the news today of his appointment to the staff of the USCCB,” said Bishop David Malloy.

“Coming from the presbyterate of the Diocese of Rockford, Father Fuller is an outstanding priest who combines great theological training and experience with a profound love for the Church,” he continued.

“I am confident that he will be an outstanding contributor to the theological work of the bishops of the United States.”

Father Fuller has been associate professor and chair of the Department of Spiritual Theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary since 2011. He has also been editor of the Chicago Studies Theological Journal since 2012.

Since 2002, he has served as spiritual director and instructor for the Diaconate Formation Program of the Diocese of Rockford and as instructor for the Diaconate Formation Program of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Prior to that, Father Fuller served as instructor, assistant professor and chair of the Department of Christian Life, from 2002 to 2011, at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He also taught at the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University, Omaha, Neb., from 2004 to 2008; and was instructor in Health Care Ethics at St. Anthony School of Nursing in Rockford from 1998 to 2000.

He also served as parochial vicar of St. Bridget Parish in Loves Park from 1997 to 2000.

Father Fuller holds a doctorate in sacred theology. He also holds a master of divinity, a licentiate of sacred theology and a bachelor of sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was ordained a priest for the Rockford  Diocese on his 30th birthday, May 17, 1997, by Bishop Thomas G. Doran at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford.

Prior to entering seminary formation, Father Fuller spent two years in Swaziland, Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Father Fuller has written extensively in numerous scholarly publications and is the author of two books, “Daily Prayer 2008” and “The Virgin Martyrs: Hagiography and Mystagogical Interpretation.”

 He is also a member of the North American Patristics Association, the Catholic Theological Association of America and the National Association of Diaconate Directors.

“I am confident that Father Fuller’s ministerial skills and theological background offers the secretariat well-established expertise that will complement and strengthen the office in service to the bishops,” Msgr. Bransfield said.

Father Fuller succeeds Father Peter French Ryan, a member of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus, who recently concluded his term.

Father Fuller will be moving to the Washington, D.C., area.