Donald DeGrood
Donald Edward DeGrood was born February 14, 1965, in Faribault, Minnesota, the fourth of five sons, raised on the family farm. He earned a philosophy degree from Saint John Vianney College Seminary (1987), then worked six years in secular jobs before returning to formation. He completed a Master of Divinity at the Saint Paul Seminary and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis on May 31, 1997.
As a priest he served as a seminary spiritual director, pastor of several Minnesota parishes, and archdiocesan Vicar for Clergy. Pope Francis named him ninth Bishop of Sioux Falls on December 12, 2019; he was consecrated and installed February 13, 2020, at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. His episcopal motto is 'God Is Love.'
He is widely regarded as doctrinally orthodox; his signature initiative, 'Set Ablaze,' is a diocesan pastoral-renewal plan he says grew from a vision received in prayer. From May 2025 he stepped back for health reasons (persistent migraines) with retired Bishop Donald Kettler serving as apostolic administrator; the Holy See reinstated him to full duties on August 12, 2025, and he continues to govern the diocese in 2026.
The deeds-based record on the Traditional Latin Mass under Bishop DeGrood is favorable but sparse. No public Traditionis Custodes suppression decree, cap, or hostile pastoral letter from him has surfaced. Rather, the pre-existing diocesan-approved TLM has been allowed to continue: it is celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Sioux Falls (historically in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, with a diocesan priest celebrant), and a diocesan-parish TLM continues at Saint Anthony's, Hoven ('Cathedral on the Prairie'), listed as Sundays at 2:00 PM Low Mass. There is no FSSP or ICKSP apostolate within the Diocese of Sioux Falls itself; the nearest FSSP apostolate (Rapid City) lies in a separate diocese.
What is missing is the other half of a strong record. No verified public statement by DeGrood defending, promoting, or expanding the older rite has been found, and current cathedral Mass-time listings do not always advertise the TLM openly, consistent with the post-Traditionis-Custodes practice of keeping such Masses low-profile. There is no evidence of expansion, new indults, or personal celebration of the traditional rite by the bishop. In liturgical style he is regarded as reverent and orthodox, but no altar-rail, ad-orientem, or Communion-posture directive attributable to him has been documented.
On balance, judged strictly by deeds: DeGrood has preserved rather than dismantled the Traditional Latin Mass in his diocese through the Traditionis Custodes era, which in the current climate is itself a friendly act, and he is a doctrinally orthodox shepherd. But the pro-Tradition record is thin, quiet, and passive rather than a vocal championing of the older rite. The honest verdict is a cautious, quiet friend whose favorable stance rests more on what he has not suppressed than on any documented advocacy.