Catholic Life Articles from Bishop Battersby
The Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby
Eleventh Bishop of La Crosse
The youngest of nine children, Gerard W. Battersby was born, along with his twin brother, on May 15, 1960, to the late Christopher and the late Helen (Buckley) Battersby. He grew up in northwest Detroit and attended St. Benedict Parish and School in Highland Park.
In 1993, he entered Sacred Heart Major Seminary as an adult vocation and received a Master of Divinity degree in 1998. Cardinal Adam J. Maida ordained him to the priesthood on May 30, 1998.
After ordination, he served in parish ministry for approximately 10 years. He served as an associate pastor at St. Thecla Parish in Clinton Township, Presentation/Our Lady of Victory Parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and St. Gerard Parish, all in Detroit.
In 2002, he was named pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Detroit, and in 2007, was appointed to Sacred Heart Major Seminary, where he received a Licentiate in the New Evangelization in 2008. While serving as director of graduate seminarians and graduate pastoral formation at the seminary, Father Battersby also served concurrently as administrator of St. Leo Parish in Detroit. In 2009, Father Battersby was assigned to graduate studies at the Angelicum in Rome, Italy. In 2011, Father Battersby was appointed vice-rector and dean of seminarian formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. In 2015, Father Battersby was concurrently appointed pastor of St. Mary of Redford Parish, Detroit.
Father Battersby was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit on Nov. 23, 2016 and his episcopal ordination occurred shortly thereafter on Jan. 25, 2017. Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron served as the principal consecrator and main celebrant.
On March 19, 2024, His Holiness Pope Francis named Bishop Battersby as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse.
Coat of Arms and Description
The great seal of the Diocese of La Crosse (viewer’s left side of the shield) is on a field of silver. The three wavy bands at the bottom represent the three rivers flowing through the Diocese–the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers. The cross of gold within the canoe symbolizes the travels of the early Jesuit missionaries through the Diocese and the faith they brought to the area. Below the left arm of the cross is a lacrosse racket, from the game played
by Native Americans who first inhabited the territory. Below the right arm is a sheaf of wheat, indicating the predominantly rural nature of the Diocese. The wheat is also a symbol of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.The remainder of the Diocesan side of the shield is occupied by three hills of green behind the cross, representing the bluffs and hills found in the Diocese.
For the personal coat of arms (viewer’s right side of the shield), His Excellency, Gerard W. Battersby, has adopted a design reflecting his personal heritage, spirituality and ministry.
At the top of the shield is a Celtic processional cross meant to honor Bishop Battersby’s Irish heritage. It is shaped like a traditional cross but with a ring, representing the sun, around the intersection of the stem and arms. The whole cross is decorated with ornate Gaelic patterns.
Bishop Battersby’s Coat of Arms includes the three Sacred Hearts. The hearts represent the Holy Family and symbolize the unending and boundless love for us.
The wounded heart signifies his devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It also pays tribute to Sacred Heart Major Seminary where he prepared for the priesthood and at which he served as vice-rector and dean of seminarian formation at the time he was called to the episcopacy.
The second heart, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, signifies the trust and confidence that Bishop Battersby has in the Blessed Mother’s intercession and protection. The sword symbolizes the sorrows of Mary, the flames represent her burning love for Jesus and us, her children and the roses represent her purity.
Bishop Battersby’s devotion to St. Joseph is represented in the third of the Sacred Hearts, the Chaste Heart of Joseph, inflamed with love and adorned with the white lily of purity, a symbol of his faith and steadiness.
Bishop Battersby’s motto–In Sinu Patris–The longer version is found in the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 1, verse 18, which reads, “Deum nemo vidit umquam; unigenitus Deus, qui est in sinum Patris, ipse enarravit.” In translation: “No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God who is at the Father’s side has revealed him.”
Surrounding the shield is the pontifical hat called the “galero” with its six tassels, in three rows, on either side of the shield, all in green. These are the heraldic insignia of a prelate of the rank of bishop.
Diocesan Crest
The Coat of Arms of the Diocese of La Crosse is on a field of silver. The three-way bands at the bottom represent the three rivers generally framing the Diocese – the Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Chippewa rivers.
The cross of gold within the canoe symbolizes the travels of the early missionaries through the diocese, and the faith they brought to the area. As one views the symbol, under the left arm of the cross is a lacrosse racket, from the game played by Native Americans who first inhabited the territory. This shape is also symbolic of the bishop’s crozier. Below the right arm is a sheaf of wheat, indicating the predominantly rural nature of the diocese. The wheat is also symbol of the Holy Eucharist. The remainder is occupied by three hills of green behind the cross, which represent the bluffs and hills found in the diocese. The Diocesan Crest, adopted in 1953, was designed by Sister M. Alice Rita Keegan, OSB, and executed by Sister M. Claretta Fornefeld, FSPA.
