John Joseph Paul (August 17, 1918 – March 5, 2006) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as an auxiliary bishop and bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse in Wisconsin from 1977 to 1994
Biography
Early years John Paul was born on August 17, 1918, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse in 1935 and from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1939.
Ordination and ministry Paul was ordained to the priesthood on January 24, 1943, by Auxiliary Bishop William Griffin at St. Rose of Viterbo Convent in La Crosse, the motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. While stationed in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Paul help established Regis High School.
In 1955, Paul became rector of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse. On October 7, 1956, Pope Pius XII made Paul a monsignor. In 1956, Paul received a master's degree in education from Marquette University. In 1966, Paul became rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse.
Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop of La Crosse Paul was appointed auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of La Crosse on May 17, 1977, by Pope Paul VI. John Paul was consecrated on August 4, 1977.
On October 14, 1983, Paul was appointed bishop of La Crosse by Pope John Paul II, succeeding Bishop Frederick Freking. On December 5, 1983, he was installed as bishop. In 1986, Paul convened the fourth diocesan synod following the revised Canon Law of 1983; in 1987, the decrees of the fourth diocesan synod were published as: The Bishop With His People.The Bishop With His People: Fourth Synod of the Diocese of La Crosse. In 1992, Paul founded the Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse.
Retirement and death On December 10, 1994, Paul submitted his resignation as bishop of La Crosse to John Paul II; he was succeeded by Bishop Raymond Burke. John Paul died at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse on March 5, 2006, at age 87.
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
References
Further reading Landers, Ann. 'A Life In Letters: Ann Landers' letters to her only child, New York: Warner Brothers, 2003. (Landers refers to Paul, when both were living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.)
External links Regis High School, Eau Claire, Wisconsin Loras College Athletic Hall of Fame Bishop John Paul Memorial - Diocese of La Crosse Bishop John Joseph Paul, Catholic Hierarchy website Roman Catholic Diocese of La Crosse