By Joe Kohn and Robert Delaney 

Detroit — As news broke March 22 that Fr. Michael Byrnes and Msgr. Donald Hanchon would be the next auxiliary bishops for the Archdiocese of Detroit, those close to the bishops-to-be were only too happy to weigh in with their thoughts. 

“It’s a grace-filled day for the Church of Detroit,” said Msgr. Patrick Halfpenny, a classmate and close friend of Bishop-designate Hanchon, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in a room filled with priests, seminarians and laypeople applauding the appointments. “They are two outstanding priests, each with his own gifts.” 

Archbishop Allen Vigneron noted that he himself had been at the seminary the same time as Bishop-designate Hanchon, and he had been rector when Bishop-designate Byrnes was there. He said the appointments of the two men marked “a sign of the ongoing vitality of the Church.” 

The Church family wasn’t the only one present, though. Family member of the two bishop-designates were at the announcement, as well. 

Thomas Hanchon, Bishop-designate Hanchon’s older brother, said his brother broke the news to him, and it left him speechless. The Hanchons’ parents are no longer living. 

“Although I’m four years older, it seems as though I’ve looked up to Don my whole life,” Thomas Hanchon said. 

Patrick and Roberta Byrnes, Bishop-designate Byrnes’s father and stepmother, were present for the announcement as well. When they heard the news from their son, they said it was exciting. 

“It was a total surprise,” said Patrick Byrnes. “He’s always been outstanding in everything he did, but I didn’t expect this.” 

---

Bishop-designate Hanchon and Byrnes will be ordained May 5 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Visit www.aodonline.org for details.