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Paul J. Bradley

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For other people with similar names, see Paul Bradley.
His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Paul Joseph Bradley
Bishop Emeritus of Kalamazoo
DioceseKalamazoo
AppointedApril 6, 2009
InstalledJune 5, 2009
RetiredMay 23, 2023
PredecessorJames Albert Murray
SuccessorEdward M. Lohse
Previous post(s)
Orders
OrdinationMay 1, 1971
by Vincent Leonard
ConsecrationFebruary 2, 2005
by Donald Wuerl, Daniel DiNardo, and David Zubik
Personal details
Born (1945-10-18) October 18, 1945 (age 79)
McKeesport, Pennsylvania, US
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
MottoWaiting in joyful hope
Styles of
Paul Joseph Bradley
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Paul Joseph Bradley (born October 18, 1945) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo in Michigan from 2009 to 2023. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2009.

Biography

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Early life

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Paul Bradley was born on October 18, 1945, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to John and Cecilia (née Pater) Bradley.[1] One of nine children, he has one brother and eight sisters; two sisters, Roberta and Mariella, became nuns.[2] Bradley attended St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana, for his high school, college and theology studies.[1][3]

Priesthood

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On May 1, 1971, Bradley was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Pittsburgh by Bishop Vincent Leonard.[4] He then served as parochial vicar in the following Pennsylvania parishes:

At the same time, Bradley earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh.[3] In 1973, Bradley became the youth director for the Northwest Deanery, working there until 1975. In 1977, he became family life director for the Butler Deanery, working there until 1982.

In 1983, Bradley became the director of the diocesan Office for Family Life. In 1988, he became diocesan secretary for human services, during which time he also served as co-pastor with then Reverend Daniel DiNardo of Madonna del Castello Parish in Swissvale, Pennsylvania.[5]

In 1994, Bradley became pastor of St. Sebastian Parish. He also served as dean of the Northwest Deanery from 1998 to 2001.[1] In January 2001, Bradley was named rector of St. Paul Cathedral and pastor of the cathedral parish . On November 7, 2003, he was made general secretary and vicar general of the diocese.[1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh

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On December 16, 2004, Bradley was appointed auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh and titular bishop of Afufenia by Pope John Paul II.[6] He received his episcopal consecration on February 2, 2005, from Bishop Donald Wuerl, with then-Bishop DiNardo and Bishop David Zubik serving as co-consecrators, at St. Paul Cathedral.[7] His selected as his episcopal motto "Waiting in Joyful Hope".

In June 2006, Bradley was named apostolic administrator of the diocese, serving until the installation of Bishop Zubik in September 2007.[1]

Bishop of Kalamazoo

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On April 6, 2009, Bradley was named the bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.[8] Succeeding the retiring Bishop James Albert Murray, Bradley was installed at St. Augustine Cathedral in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on June 5, 2009. As bishop, he served over 107,000 Catholics in Southwestern Michigan.[9] On March 22, 2014, Bradley released the following statement in response to a federal court ruling that the Michigan ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional:

With the stroke of a pen, the meaning of marriage, one of society's most sacred institutions and the very foundation of the family, has been redefined in our state.[10]

On September 4, 2018, Bradley proposed a ten-step plan for overhauling church policies on the reporting of sexual abuse allegations.[11] In January 2019, Bradley started a controversy when he assigned Archbishop Emeritus John Clayton Nienstedt, formerly of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, to assist for several months at a parish in Battle Creek, Michigan. Many parishioners did not want Nienstadt due to his previous failures to report sexual abuse claims. After two weeks, Nienstadt left Battle Creek. On January 19, Bradley made this statement:

Archbishop Nienstedt's presence has unintentionally brought about a sense of disunity, fear, and hurt to many of you during this brief period of time....As your spiritual father and shepherd, I regret that more than words can express.[12]

Pope Francis accepted Bradley's resignation on May 23, 2023.[13] In September 2023, Bradley was named the administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville.[14] Bradley was relieved of his duties as administrator in June 2024.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley, V.G., D.D., General Secretary". Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009.
  2. ^ "Roberta A. Bradley CDP". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. January 1, 2007.
  3. ^ a b "Pittsburgh Catholics bid farewell to Bishop Bradley". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "Bishop Paul Joseph Bradley [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  5. ^ Craig, Smith (October 18, 2007). "'Father Dan' appointed cardinal". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on November 14, 2007.
  6. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 16.12.2004" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. December 16, 2004. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  7. ^ "Bishop Paul Joseph Bradley". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. Retrieved January 21, 2015.[self-published source]
  8. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 06.04.2009" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. April 6, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  9. ^ "OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS". Holy See. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008.
  10. ^ Parker, Rosemary (March 22, 2014). "Michigan gay marriage ruling called 'unfortunate and regrettable' by Kalamazoo Bishop Paul J. Bradley". mlive. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  11. ^ Rodas, Jorge (September 14, 2018). "Local Bishop calls on Catholic Church to look into reporting policies for sexual abuse". News Channel 3. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  12. ^ Parker, Rosemary (January 21, 2016). "Apologetic bishop underestimated reaction to Nienstedt's presence". mlive. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 23.05.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  14. ^ "Pope Francis Appoints Bishop Jeffrey Monforton as Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit; Appoints Bishop Paul Bradley as Apostolic Administrator of Steubenville". USCCB Office of Public Affairs. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  15. ^ Wiering, Maria (June 17, 2024). "Steubenville Diocese's leader changes amid consideration of merger with Columbus Diocese". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
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Episcopal succession

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Kalamazoo
2009–2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
–
 Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh
2005–2009 		Succeeded by
–
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