Anthony Pilla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Anthony Michael Pilla |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Cleveland | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Cleveland |
| Appointed | November 13, 1980 |
| Enthroned | January 6, 1981 |
| Reign ended | April 4, 2006 |
| Predecessor | James Aloysius Hickey |
| Successor | Richard Gerard Lennon |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 23, 1959 |
| Consecration | August 1, 1979 by James Aloysius Hickey, Clarence George Issenmann, and Joseph Abel Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1932 Cleveland, Ohio, USA |
| Died | September 21, 2021 (aged 88) Cleveland |
| Previous post | Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland 1979 - 1980 |
| Motto | Live on in my love |
Anthony Michael Pilla (November 12, 1932 – September 21, 2021) was an American leader in the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop (a helper bishop) for the Diocese of Cleveland in Ohio from 1979 to 1981. Later, he became the main bishop of the same diocese, serving from 1981 to 2006.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Anthony Pilla was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on November 12, 1932. He went to Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland. His family later moved to Cincinnati.
In 1951, Pilla graduated from St. Gregory Seminary College in Cincinnati. He then continued his studies at Borromeo College in Wickliffe, Ohio, until 1955. He finished his training to become a priest at Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.
On May 23, 1959, Anthony Pilla was ordained as a priest. Bishop Floyd Begin led the ceremony for the Diocese of Cleveland.
Becoming a Bishop
On June 30, 1979, Pope John Paul II chose Pilla to be an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Cleveland. He was also given the special title of titular bishop of Scardona.
Bishop James Hickey officially made him a bishop on August 1, 1979. Bishops Clarence Issenmann and Joseph Francis also helped in the ceremony.
On July 29, 1980, Pilla was named the temporary leader of the diocese. This happened after Bishop Hickey became an archbishop in Washington.
Leading the Diocese of Cleveland
Pope John Paul II officially named Anthony Pilla as the bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland on November 13, 1980. He began his new role on January 6, 1981.
From 1995 to 1998, Bishop Pilla was chosen to be the president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. This is a group that helps guide Catholic leaders in the United States.
Retirement and Later Life
On April 4, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Pilla's request to retire from his role as bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. Auxiliary Bishop Richard Lennon took over his position on the same day.
Anthony Pilla passed away in Cleveland on September 21, 2021, at the age of 88.
See also
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
