Bishop Mark A. Eckman has been appointed the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, succeeding Bishop David A. Zubik.
The Holy See announced Wednesday that Pope Leo XIV appointed Eckman, who has served as an auxiliary bishop with the diocese since 2022.
The pope accepted the resignation of Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in September.
Eckman will be installed on July 14 during a special Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
In a letter to diocesan clergy and staff this morning, Zubik wrote, “I am both grateful and thrilled with this appointment. Bishop Eckman knows the diocese. And we know him as an exceptional pastor, and outstanding administrator — truly an exemplary priest.”
In 2022, Eckman was ordained an auxiliary bishop.
. @MarkEckman11 says he was surprised at the news, but happy to stay in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/AHnlSLerTk
— Tom Davidson (@TribDavidson) June 4, 2025
He attended Saint Valentine Elementary School in Bethel Park and is the former South Hills Catholic in Mt. Lebanon, now Seton LaSalle Catholic High School.
He has an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and received a master of divinity degree from St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. He was ordained a priest on May 11, 1985, and primarily served in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Eckman was the diocese’s Episcopal vicar for clergy personnel from July 15, 2013, to July 1, 2020. He was then assigned to be the administrator to the parishes of Saint Thomas More and Saint John Capistran, which merged to become Resurrection Parish in January 2021.
He has served on the National Advisory Board of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
“With a grateful and humble heart, I accept this appointment and ask for the prayers of all the faithful,” Eckman said in a press release.
Bishop Larry J. Kulick of the Diocese of Greensburg offered congratulations and prayers for Eckman in a statement Wednesday morning. Kulick noted he’d worked with Eckman while serving as bishop and formerly as a priest.
He called Eckman “a wonderful and spirit-filled shepherd for the faithful in our neighboring diocese.”
Kulick also expressed gratitude for being able to work with Zubik. Zubik served 28 years as a bishop, including 18 years with the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
