Archbishop Edward Weisenburger of Detroit has appointed a new rector and president of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, a priest from the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) religious order, who will take on the new role July 1.
Vincentian priest Father Kevin Creagh, who most recently served in Long Island as senior vice president for Mission Integration at Catholic Health, will succeed Father Stephen Burr, the current rector and president of the seminary, according to the Jan. 13 Detroit archdiocese’s announcement.
“Father Kevin Creagh brings to Sacred Heart Major Seminary his love for priestly formation and lifelong commitment to forming leaders for the Church,” Archbishop Weisenburger said in the announcement. “His extensive experience in seminary leadership, diocesan administration, and Catholic higher education give him the expertise necessary to continue the mission of our historic seminary community.”
He expressed gratitude to Fr. Creagh for accepting the appointment and for sharing “his myriad gifts in this new way, in support of Sacred Heart’s mission of forming hearts and minds to proclaim Jesus Christ.”
Fr. Burr has served in roles including formation advisor to seminarians at the seminary for 18 years, according to the announcement. According to Catholic Culture, Fr. Burr was appointed the rector in 2021.
After his last day as president June 30, Fr. Burr will join a team of priests who serve at four local parishes but will primarily serve at the local St. Regis Parish.
Archbishop Weisenburger thanked Fr. Burr on behalf of the archdiocese, and all dioceses and religious orders that partner with the seminary for priestly formation. He said Fr. Burr has served in multiple roles at the seminary “with great distinction.”
“Part of Father Burr’s best qualifications to serve as rector include his love for parish pastoral ministry, so I am grateful that he has accepted this opportunity to share his gifts with the people of St. Regis Parish,” he said.
The new appointment marks a continuation of changes in personnel at the seminary at the direction of the archbishop.
In July 2025, Archbishop Weisenburger fired three high-profile professors at the seminary, as CatholicVote reported.
One of the professors, Ralph Martin, who joined the faculty in 2002, said in a Facebook post that when he asked Archbishop Weisenburger for a reason for the termination of contract, “he said he didn’t think it would be helpful to give any specifics but mentioned something about having concerns about my theological perspectives.”
The rector announcement also noted that Father Charles Fox will continue to serve as the seminary’s vice-rector and dean of seminarian formation.
In a statement about the change, Fr. Burr said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve at the seminary as president and in numerous other roles.
“My 18 years of service on the faculty have been a gift to me and a blessing to my living as a priest of Jesus Christ,” he stated. “By the work of the Holy Spirit, and through the leadership of Archbishop Weisenburger, God has called me once again [to] parish ministry, and I am excited to make this return to God’s initial call in my life.”
“I look forward to sharing how I know and trust Jesus Christ with the people at St. Regis and pray that the last eighteen years of seminary leadership have been a time to refine me to be their priest,” he said, adding that he is also looking forward to working with Fr. Creagh and introducing him to the seminary community.
“May the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” he said, “continue to guide our mission and ministry.”
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