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His Excellency, The Most Reverend Paul Albert Zipfel
Bishop of Bismarck
Bishop Zipfel in 2010
See Diocese of Bismarck
Appointed December 31, 1996
Enthroned February 20, 1997
Reign ended October 19, 2011
Predecessor John Francis Kinney
Successor David Kagan
Orders
Ordination March 18, 1961
Consecration June 29, 1989
by John L. May, Edward Joseph O'Donnell, and J. Terry Steib
Personal details
Born (1935-09-22)September 22, 1935
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died July 14, 2019(2019-07-14) (aged 83)
Missouri, U.S.
Previous post Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis
1989 to 1996.
Styles of
Paul Albert Zipfel
Mitre (plain).svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Bishop

Paul Albert Zipfel (September 22, 1935 – July 14, 2019) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck in North Dakota from 1997 to 2011. Zipfel served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis from 1989 to 1996.

Biography

Early life

Paul Zipfel was born on September 22, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Albert and Leona (née Rau) Zipfel. He had two older siblings, Ralph and Marion. Paul Zipfel attended St. Michael's Elementary School from 1940 to 1949, and afterwards entered the St. Louis Preparatory Seminary. Zipfel then studied at Kenrick Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri (1955–1957) and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (1957–1961).

Priesthood

Zipfel was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis on March 18, 1961.

Zipfel obtained his Licentiate of Sacred Theology in June 1961 and completed his graduate studies at Saint Louis University from 1963 to 1965, earning a Master of Education. From 1961 to 1989, Zipfel did pastoral work in the archdiocese as an associate pastor, pastor, teacher and administrator at various schools and parishes.

Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis

On May 16, 1989, Zipfel was appointed auxiliary bishop of St. Louis and Titular Bishop of Walla Walla by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 29 from Archbishop John May, with Bishops O'Donnell and Steib serving as co-consecrators.

Bishop of Bismarck

Zipfel was named the sixth Bishop of Bismarck, North Dakota, on December 31, 1996, being installed on February 20, 1997.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Zipfel sat on the Administrative Committee and the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee.

..... Anyone accused of abuse would be immediately removed from active ministry and reported to the police for investigation.

Retirement and legacy

Zipfel's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on October 19, 2011, and he was succeeded by David Kagan. In retirement, Bishop Zipfel took up residence in Saint Joseph's Hall at the University of Mary in Bismarck, where he provided sacramental and spiritual service to students.

In 2012, Zipfel was diagnosed with dementia. His family and the Diocese of Bismarck decided to move him back to St. Louis to be closer to family. Zipfel lived at Mother of Good Counsel Home in Normandy, Missouri. Zipfel died on July 14, 2019.

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

Episcopal succession

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
John Francis Kinney
Bishop of Bismarck
1996–2011
Succeeded by
David Kagan
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis
1989–1996
Succeeded by
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