Background
Breitenbeck, Joseph M. was born on August 3, 1914 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Matthew J. and Mary A. (Quinlan) Breitenbeck.
Breitenbeck, Joseph M. was born on August 3, 1914 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Matthew J. and Mary A. (Quinlan) Breitenbeck.
Student, University Detroit, 1935. Bachelor, Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, 1938. Postgraduate, Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, 1940.
Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Catholic University, Washington. Juris Canonici Licentiatus, Lateran University, Rome, 1949.
Ordained priest, Roman Catholic Church, 1942; assistant at, St. Margaret Mary Parish, Detroit, 1942-1944; secretary to, Cardinal Mooney, 1944-1958; secretary to, Cardinal Dearden, 1959; pastor, Assumption Grotto, 1959-1967; consecrated bishop, 1965; ordained titular bishop of Tepelta and auxiliary bishop of Detroit, 1965-1969; bishop of, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1969-1990. Episcopal adviser National Catholic Laymens Retreat Conference.
Member National Conference Catholic Bishops (committee chairman).