Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs, S.T.D.
Vice President and Rector of Mount St. Mary's Seminary

      Msgr. Steven P. Rohlfs was named by Cardinal William H. Keeler, former Archbishop of Baltimore and former Chancellor of the Seminary, in December 2004 to be Rector of the Seminary.  He assumed his responsibilities on February 6, 2005.

      A native of Lincoln, Illinois, Msgr. Rohlfs attended St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana, and graduated from the Higher Institute of Philosophy at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, in 1971. He came to the Mount St. Mary’s in 1972 as a seminarian to study for the Diocese of Peoria and was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1976, by Bishop Edward W. O’Rourke. He received a Master of Arts degree in Dogmatic Theology and Liturgical Theology from the Mount in 1976 and his STL and STD degrees in Moral Theology from the Angelicum in 1988 and 1989 respectively. He has done postgraduate studies in diplomacy at Northwestern University, School of Continuing Studies.

      In the Diocese of Peoria, Msgr. Rohlfs has held many positions:  Chaplain and Director of Religious Education at Bergan Catholic High School, Assistant Director and Director of Vocations, Episcopal Master of Ceremonies, Director of the Propagation of the Faith, Pastor of St. Peter, St. Philomena and St. Vincent de Paul parishes all in Peoria as well as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral. In addition, he has been Censor Librorum, Episcopal Vicar for Healthcare, President of the Presbyteral Council and Vice Chancellor.

      In 1999, Msgr. Rohlfs was appointed by Bishop John J. Myers to the posts of Vicar General, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia. Upon the transfer of Bishop Myers to the Archdiocese of Newark, he was elected by the Consultors to be the Administrator for the Diocese of Peoria. Upon his accession to the diocese, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky reappointed Msgr. Rohlfs to the posts of Vicar General, Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia.

      A highly respected author in theology, Msgr. Rohlfs has written numerous articles on medical ethics, healthcare, family planning and key medical issues confronting the Church in the twenty-first century. He is also a popular retreat master and workshop facilitator for clergy and the laity.

      Msgr. Rohlfs was named a Prelate of Honor in 1993, a Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre in 1997, and a Knight of the Sovereign Military Constantinian Order in 1999.

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