LANSING — Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, bishop-emeritus of the Diocese of Lansing, died peacefully in the early hours of July 1 at the age of 94.
Bishop Mengeling served as bishop of the Diocese of Lansing from 1996 through 2008.
“Bishop Mengeling was just an incredible blessing to this diocese, especially because of the joy that he brought and his incredible enthusiasm,” said Bishop Earl A. Boyea, Bishop Mengeling’s successor and Lansing's current bishop.
Bishop Mengeling was born Oct. 22, 1930, in Hammond, Indiana, the second of four children to German immigrants Carl and Augusta Mengeling. He was raised Lutheran until, at age 9, he was baptized Catholic.
Bishop Mengeling was ordained a priest by Bishop Andrew G. Grutka on May 25, 1957, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Indiana. He was a member of the first ordination class in the newly formed Diocese of Gary.
Following his ordination, Bishop Mengeling went to Rome to continue his studies. He received a License in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University and a Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Alfonsianum Academy. He was in Rome for the opening of the Second Vatican Council and served as a page during the council sessions.
After returning to the United States in 1964, Bishop Mengeling was assigned to teach at Bishop Noll High School in Hammond, St. Joseph Calumet College in East Chicago, Indiana, and St. Procopius Seminary in Lisle, Illinois.
From 1968 until 1995, he returned to full-time parish work at parishes throughout Indiana, and in June 1984, he was named a monsignor. Additionally, he served the Diocese of Gary in a variety of roles, including chairing the Diocesan Worship Commission, the Institute of Religious, and the Vocations Committee. He also served on the Presbyteral Council, the Ecumenical Commission and the Permanent Diaconate Formation Team.
On Nov. 7, 1995, Bishop Mengeling was appointed the fourth bishop of Lansing, succeeding Bishop Kenneth J. Povish, making him the first priest of the Gary diocese to be elevated to the episcopacy. He was ordained on Jan. 25, 1996, at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing, by Cardinal Adam J. Maida, then the archbishop of Detroit.
Bishop Mengeling chose St. John the Baptist's words for his episcopal motto: "He must increase!"
As bishop, he encouraged growth within the local church and urged pastors to build new parishes. Bishop Mengeling dedicated 12 churches, three new altars, six chapels at diocesan institutions, a perpetual adoration chapel in Lansing, two mausoleums, three education centers and a family center. Additionally, he blessed the opening of Bethany House, a special center for youth on the campus of St. Francis Retreat Center in Dewitt in 2001, and supported Catholic schools to become more affordable and accessible to all.
Under his episcopate, the nationally award-winning magazine, Faith, was launched in January 2000. Bishop Mengeling was a regular contributor.
Bishop Mengeling celebrated his 50th anniversary of the priesthood on Oct. 16, 2007, and retired the following year on Feb. 27, 2008, at age 77 after 12 years of service. During his retirement, Bishop Mengeling remained active as a teacher of Sacred Scripture and retreat master for religious, seminarians and priests.
Bishop Mengeling died in Mother Teresa House for the Care of the Terminally Ill in Lansing on the morning of July 1, 2025, the feast of St. Junipero Serra.
“Bishop Mengeling was first and foremost a pastor. He treated everyone with dignity and the respect a pastor shows his flock,” Michigan Catholic Conference president and CEO Paul A. Long said. “Bishop Mengeling believed the Church has a role to play in the public square and that Catholics should be educated on matters of Church teaching as it could possibly apply to public issues.
“As a believer, Bishop Mengeling was a good and happy man with a loving heart,” Long continued. “May God give rest to his noble soul.”
Bishop Mengeling is survived by his sister Carolyn (Milan) Tomich of Crown Point, Indiana; brother William of Holland, Michigan and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Elfrieda Markiewicz, nephew, Michael Markiewicz and niece, Lorna Mengeling.
A public visitation will be held Tuesday, July 8, at St. Gerard Catholic Church in Lansing, from 7-9 p.m. and again on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at St. Mary Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lansing, along with a reception of the body liturgy celebrated by Bishop Boyea. A ticketed requiem Mass will be held for Bishop Mengeling at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing on Thursday, July 10, at 2 p.m. followed by interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Lansing.
