Michael Gallagher (bishop)

Michael James Gallagher (November 16, 1866 – January 20, 1937) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

[1] Gallagher was ordained a priest in Innsbruck by Archbishop Simon Aichner for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on March 19, 1893.

[1] On July 5, 1915, Gallagher was appointed titular bishop of Tipasa and coadjutor of Grand Rapids by Pope Benedict XV.

[2][3] In 1919, Gallagher opened Sacred Heart Seminary in a temporary structure in Detroit to alleviate a shortage of priests.

In 1930, the apostolic delegate for the United States, Cardinal Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, asked Gallagher to curb Coughlin, but the bishop refused.

It was rumored that Pope Pius XI refused to raise Detroit to an archdiocese due to his displeasure over Coughlin.

[10] On the exterior, medallions, shields and crests are set into the brickwork, and a copper statue of the St. Michael the Archangel defeating Satan is prominent.