Bishop Bradley called out of retirement - appointed Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Steubenville

Barely two months into his retirement as Bishop Emeritus for the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Bishop Paul Bradley received yet another call from the Apostolic Nuncio, Cardinal Christophe Pierre. The preceding call from the nuncio (the pope’s designate) this past May was to accept his retirement as bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo; this call was to relay the news that the Holy Father had appointed him the Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Steubenville (Ohio).

Within days of receiving the news Bishop Bradley was readying for the announcement, which took place on Sept. 28, 2023, at the diocesan pastoral center offices in Steubenville.

The appointment comes as the diocese’s outgoing shepherd, Bishop Jeffrey Monforton, was appointed an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

During the news media conference announcing the appointment, Bishop Bradley remarked that while he was surprised to receive the call, he had been wondering if there was something more he could be doing.

The diocese is home to Franciscan University, a small Catholic university, well-known for its youth conferences and online Catholic courses*

An Apostolic Administrator is a role appointed by the Holy Father that differs slightly from being a bishop. As Bishop Bradley explained in a letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Steubenville,

“Though the title might be unfamiliar, I come to you as a Bishop who, for 14 years, served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and for five years before that as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Though Pope Francis has just given me permission to retire this past May, I consider it a privilege to be asked now to accompany all of you in this Local Church during this time  of transition.”

The transition time for Bishop Bradley’s new appointment is undefined, though when concluded he plans to return to the Diocese of Kalamazoo.

While not common it’s also not unusual for retired bishops to assist in diocesan ministry and be appointed by the pope as Apostolic Administrators. Bishop Emeritus Walter Hurley (former bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids) served that role in the Diocese of Saginaw after the untimely death of Bishop Cistone and again in the Diocese of Gaylord after Bishop Stephen Raica was appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham and before Bishop Jeffrey Walsh was appointed.

The role differs from being a Diocesan Administrator, which is an elected position. For example, the late Msgr. Eugene Sears was elected by the College of Consultors (priests) and served as Diocesan Administrator in the Diocese of Kalamazoo after the death of Bishop Alfred Markiewicz.

The Diocese of Steubenville was established in 1944 and is home to approximately 29,000 Catholics.