As uh we begin *** new chapter in our diocese today. We can be grateful that we continue to move forward to be the best that we can be as the body of Christ. The bishops were greeted by *** thunderous round of applause and *** standing ovation. The audience filled with other clergy and diocesan staff members all hearing from the leadership for the first time since the announcement. Now the diocese says it was just after 6 this morning that they received *** call from the Holy See to let them know that Pope Leo had accepted Bishop Zubic’s retirement. It was actually 9 months ago to the day today that Bishop Zubic sent his letter of. That’s something that is required by all bishops when they turn 75. Of course, 9 months ago it was the late Pope Francis at the helm of the Catholic Church. Bishop Zubic says he asked one favor in his resignation letter, and that was to be able to celebrate his 50th anniversary of becoming *** priest while still serving as bishop of the diocese, and he was able to do just that last month. He praised Pope Leo for his choice and his predecessor Bishop Mark Ekman. Bishop Ekman is *** lifelong Pittsburgher. He was born and raised in the South Hills. He says he is surprised by his appointment, but he’s also honored and humbled. I’m honored that he thought highly enough that I have the ability to be able to lead uh such *** wonderful magnificent diocese. But I also have to say how humbled I am because uh if you look back at our 182 years as *** diocese, we’ve had wonderful shepherds from the very beginning, uh, beginning with Bishop Michael O’Connor all the way up to and including Bishop Zubic. Bishop Ekman will be installed during *** special mass that is scheduled for July 14th. *** day *** time for that mass has not yet been released. We’ll let you know as soon as we have that information. As for Bishop Zubic, what his retirement is going to entail, he tells us he is not going to be *** couch potato. He still plans to be actively involved in the church and volunteering as well.
Pope appoints Bishop Mark Eckman as leader of Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday morning that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark Eckman as the 13th bishop of the diocese.The news came after the pope accepted the resignation of Bishop David Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in September.”I’m honored that he thought highly enough that I have the ability to lead to such a wonderful and magnificent diocese,” Eckman said during a news conference at the diocese pastoral center Wednesday morning. “I also have to say how humble I am because if you look back, we’ve had such wonderful shepherds all the way up to Bishop Zubik.”Eckman, 66, is slated to be installed as bishop on July 14 during a special mass at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland.Zubik said he asked one favor in his resignation letter, and it was to celebrate his 50th anniversary of becoming a priest while still serving as bishop of the diocese. He was able to do that last month.”As we begin a new chapter in our diocese today, we can be grateful that we continue to move forward to be the best that we can be as the body of Christ,” Zubik said Wednesday.Watch full video of the diocese news conference in the video player aboveHe has served mostly in the South Hills and was named pastor in 2021 at Resurrection Parish, which includes Saint John Capistran Church in Upper St. Clair and Saint Thomas More Church in Bethel Park, before being ordained auxiliary bishop one year later.A South Hills native, Eckman attended Saint Valentine Elementary School in Bethel Park and South Hills Catholic High School, which is now Seton LaSalle Catholic High School in Mt. Lebanon, then went on to Duquesne University and Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe.For years Eckman was the pastor at Resurrection parish and leader of Ave Maria Academy which was the former St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Bethel Park.The principal at the school, Don Militzer, said he has good leadership qualities. He said, “The ability to listen. When you are in meetings with him, he listens you can tell that he is hearing everything that you are saying and listens to everybody that talks to him. I think that’s such a good quality in a leader.”
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said Wednesday morning that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark Eckman as the 13th bishop of the diocese.
The news came after the pope accepted the resignation of Bishop David Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in September.
“I’m honored that he thought highly enough that I have the ability to lead to such a wonderful and magnificent diocese,” Eckman said during a news conference at the diocese pastoral center Wednesday morning. “I also have to say how humble I am because if you look back, we’ve had such wonderful shepherds all the way up to Bishop Zubik.”
Eckman, 66, is slated to be installed as bishop on July 14 during a special mass at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
Zubik said he asked one favor in his resignation letter, and it was to celebrate his 50th anniversary of becoming a priest while still serving as bishop of the diocese. He was able to do that last month.
“As we begin a new chapter in our diocese today, we can be grateful that we continue to move forward to be the best that we can be as the body of Christ,” Zubik said Wednesday.
Watch full video of the diocese news conference in the video player above
He has served mostly in the South Hills and was named pastor in 2021 at Resurrection Parish, which includes Saint John Capistran Church in Upper St. Clair and Saint Thomas More Church in Bethel Park, before being ordained auxiliary bishop one year later.
A South Hills native, Eckman attended Saint Valentine Elementary School in Bethel Park and South Hills Catholic High School, which is now Seton LaSalle Catholic High School in Mt. Lebanon, then went on to Duquesne University and Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe.
For years Eckman was the pastor at Resurrection parish and leader of Ave Maria Academy which was the former St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Bethel Park.
The principal at the school, Don Militzer, said he has good leadership qualities.
He said, “The ability to listen. When you are in meetings with him, he listens you can tell that he is hearing everything that you are saying and listens to everybody that talks to him. I think that’s such a good quality in a leader.”
