James Henry Garland

Garland was born in 1931 to a farm family in Wilmington, Ohio. He has four brothers and two sisters.[1]

In 1953, Garland graduated from Ohio State University with a BA degree in education. That same year, he began seminary studies, graduating from Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary of the West with an MA degree in education in 1960. In 1965, Garland received a MA degree in social work from The Catholic University of America. [2] [1]

On August 15, 1959, Garland was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.[1]

After his ordination, Garland was posted to several parishes. He also directed the offices of Catholic Charities in Springfield, Ohio, and Dayton, Ohio, and then the Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Charities.[1]  

On June 2, 1984 Pope John Paul II named Garland as the Titular Bishop of Garriana and Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati. He was consecrated on July 25, 1984 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains in Cincinnati by Archbischop Daniel Pilarczyk. The co-consecraters were Archbishops Nicholas Elko and Edward McCarthy.[3] [1]

While auxiliary bishop, Garland directed the Archdiocesan Departments of Community Services and Pastoral Services.[1]  

On October 6, 1992, John Paul II appointed Garland as the eleventh Bishop of Marquette. He was installed on November 11, 1992[4][1]

During this time the diocese celebrated the Jubilee Year 2000. Events included a diocesan-wide celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Superior Dome in Marquette, Michigan,, at which 656 youths received the sacrament. An estimated 2,500 people attended a liturgical celebration August 20 at the Mattson Lower Harbor Park, also in Marquette.[1]

Garland was a member of the Administrative Committee of the United States Catholic Conference/National Conference of Catholic Bishops.  He served as Chairman of the Committee for the Campaign for Human Development from November 1992 to November 1995, and as Chairperson of the Bishops of Region VI from November 1995 to November 1997.[1]