Kevin Birmingham, an auxiliary bishop under Cardinal Blase Cupich, has died, the Archdiocese of Chicago confirmed Monday.
“He passed away in his sleep,’’ said archdiocese spokesperson Yasmin Quiroz.
The cause of Birmingham’s death was unclear, and Quiroz said foul play was not suspected.
“The Church has lost a wonderful priest and bishop today and I lost a dear friend and valued colleague,” Cupich said in a statement. “From the start of his ministry, Bishop Kevin Birmingham was a devoted and joyful priest. He felt called to serve Latino Catholics especially, and he learned Spanish in order to do so. He served in my office for six years as priest-secretary, always with dedication and attention to every detail, a role in which his reputation for kindness only grew. May we honor his memory by continuing to do as he did, and model the love God has for his children in all we do,” Cupich said in the statement.
Birmingham was to turn 52 on Saturday, according to the Rev. Manuel Dorantes, pastor of St. Mary of the Lake parish, who said he was “shocked and saddened” by Birmingham’s death on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“Please join me in praying for his soul and for his dear mother during this very difficult moment for her. He was about to turn 52 this week,’’ Dorantes posted on X.
Birmingham was born Oct. 7, 1971, in Oak Lawn to Jeanette Ann Larsen and Joseph James Birmingham, according to the archdiocese.
Birmingham graduated in 1997 from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein and attended Niles College Seminary, according to the archdiocese. He graduated in 1989 from Quigley South High School in Chicago and attended Chicago Ridge Public School District for elementary school. Birmingham was ordained as a priest on May 24, 1997.
Birmingham was appointed director of the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission in July 2020 for a year. On Sept. 11, 2020, Birmingham was appointed auxiliary bishop of Chicago and titular bishop of Dolia. He was ordained a bishop on Nov. 13, 2020, by Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago and became episcopal vicar of Vicariate IV.
Last month, after the retirement of Bishop Joseph Perry, Birmingham was assigned to oversee Vicariate VI, the archdiocese said.
Earlier positions he held include administrative secretary to Cupich from November 2014 through June of 2022 and the Dean of Deanery III-A from 2013 through 2014 and pastor, Maternity BVM Parish in Chicago from 2011 until 2014.
Birmingham was part of the Presbyteral Council from 2006 through 2014 and was pastor of St. Anne Parish in Hazel Crest from 2005 through 2011.
Birmingham was on the priests’ placement board from 2005 through 2009 and was associate pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Orland Park from 2001 through 2005. Birmingham was the associate pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Blue Island from 1997 through 2001 and associate pastor at St. Peter Claver Mission in Robbins from 1997 through 2001, the archdiocese said.
The Rev. Jeffrey Grob had known Birmingham his whole priesthood. “He was genuine, personable, funny and pastoral. He had a pastor’s heart,” said Grob in a statement. “Even after he became a bishop he did not put on airs; you saw the true man. His laughter was contagious, but in the moment, he could be genuinely concerned about an issue. Sincere and genuine: That is what drew people to him,” Grob said in the statement.
“Bishop Kevin lit up every room he walked into and brought with him his dry wit and just a little bit of mischief,” said Sarah Machaj, senior administrative assistant in the archbishop’s office, in a statement. “He was an incredibly hard worker, but never asked for recognition. He was humble, truly kind and had a laugh that was contagious. He was the most genuine person I’ve ever known, and he will be greatly missed.”
Details on funeral arrangements are forthcoming.
Check back for details on this developing story.
