Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV

by | Apr 10, 2018 | Meet a Viatorian

Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, traces his Viatorian roots back to Alleman High School in Rock Island, IL, where he was taught by Viatorians. He went on to earn a degree in sociology at Loyola University Chicago, and within a year of graduating, he would profess his first vows as a religious.

“The word ‘viator’ means pilgrim or wayfarer, and that is an apt image to describe my years as a Viatorian,” Bishop Glancy says.

Before being ordained a bishop, Bishop Glancy served at St. Francis Xavier Parish from 1998 to 2011.

He spent the first years of his religious life as a teacher, first at Saint Viator High School and then for four years at Colegio San Viator in Bogotá, Colombia, where he led the religion department and became fluent in Spanish. After returning to the US, he spent a year at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee, IL, where he celebrated his first Mass as a priest in 1993, and a few years as a part-time associate pastor at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Bourbonnais, IL, while directing Viatorian vocation ministry.

Then in 1998, Bishop Glancy returned to Latin America: he accepted an assignment to go with Fr. Dan Hall, CSV, and open the Viatorian Foundation of Belize, based at St. Francis Xavier Parish, in Corozal Town. He began as parochial vicar and later became pastor, leading the parish from 2002 to 2011. “Serving at the Viatorian Foundation in Belize was a great joy and a wonderful collaboration with the Viatorian Community, religious and associates,” Bishop Glancy said.

Many of his Viatorian confreres attended his installation as bishop in 2012, including Belize native Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV (second from right), and Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, who was then Superior General.

One year later, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan. He was ordained a bishop in 2012 and served the diocese in that capacity for six years before a Belizean priest was appointed as the new auxiliary bishop in 2018. “I await the next adventure for this viator – this pilgrim following Christ along the way,” Bishop Glancy said at that time.

Bishop Glancy has regularly made the rounds in the province for the Sacrament of Confirmation with young people from our parishes and has ordained several Viatorians to the diaconate and priesthood. He also spent some time ministering as a case manager for Viator House of Hospitality.

In 2024, he began working with Viatorian leadership, the Viatorians of the Bourbonnais-Kankakee region, and Bishop Ronald Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet to explore taking stewardship of Scared Heart Church in Pembroke Township, IL. Viatorians have been bringing youth to serve in the community there since the late 1990s, and the diocesan priest serving the community there needed to step down. In March 2025, Bishop Glancy became parochial administrator of Sacred Heart, and the Viatorians in region work together to support the sacramental and pastoral life of the community.

Bishop Glancy succeeded Fr. Peeters as pastor of St. Patrick in Summer 2025.

Then, when Fr. John Peeters, CSV, announced his retirement from St. Patrick, Bishop Glancy, already in residence and ministering there, was appointed pastor, effective July 1, 2025. “Thank you for your presence, your leadership, and your encouragement to make disciples,” Bishop Glancy told Bishop Hicks at the installation Mass. “I can guarantee you that will take place here at St. Pat’s.”

More on Bishop Glancy from Viatorians.com:

Updated by Associate Dan Masterton on November 4, 2025.