by Christine Rousselle

Baltimore, Md., Nov 16, 2021 / 15:53 pm

The bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops elected Father Michael J.K. Fuller as their new general secretary on Tuesday, Nov. 16..

The election was held on the second day of the Fall General Assembly of the USCCB.

Fuller defeated Father Daniel Hanley. The two men were selected by Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles as candidates for general secretary following an open nomination process. He will serve for a five-year term.

Gomez did not disclose a vote total. The election was conducted according to USCCB bylaws, meaning it was conducted on a paper ballot that was sealed in an envelope.

Fuller is filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Msgr. Jeffrey Burrill on July 20, 2021, about five weeks after he was elected to the post at the Spring 2021 General Assembly.

Burrill resigned ahead of media reports detailing inappropriate behavior and the frequent use of the gay hookup app Grindr.

Fuller, a priest of the Diocese of Rockford, Ill., served as the interim general secretary after Burrill’s resignation.