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Bishop Paul J. Bradley
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Bishop Bradley -
Bishop Paul J. Bradley was born Oct. 18, 1945, the son of John and Cecilia Bradley, in Glassport, Pennsylvania. He went to St. Cecilia Grade School and attended high school, college and graduate theology studies at St. Meinrad Seminary, St. Meinrad, Indiana. He also earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh.
On May 1, 1971, he was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Pittsburgh by Bishop Vincent M. Leonard.
Bishop Bradley held various pastoral ministry assignments both in the parishes as well as at the diocesan level. He served as director of the Office of Family Life, secretary for Social Concerns and vicar general, general secretary and moderator of the curia.
On Dec. 16, 2004, he was named auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and appointed titular bishop of Afufenia. He was ordained a bishop Feb. 2, 2005.
When then-Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh was installed as the archbishop of Washington, D.C., in June 2006, Bishop Bradley was elected administrator of the Diocese of Pittsburgh by the diocesan College of Consultors. He oversaw the day-to-day operations of the diocese until Bishop David A. Zubik’s installation, Sept. 28, 2007.
On June 5, 2009, Bishop Bradley was installed as the fourth bishop of Kalamazoo.
During his 14 years as the bishop of Kalamazoo, Bishop Bradley guided a number of initiatives including the implementation of the 2016 Diocesan Pastoral Plan, which created 28 parish collaboratives from the existing 59 parishes and missions. He also convened the 2019 Eucharistic Congress where nearly 1,000 Catholics participated.
During his episcopal ministry, Bishop Bradley has ordained 20 men to the priesthood and 23 men as permanent deacons. He has confirmed more than 25,000 people. Bishop Bradley has authored and published eight pastoral letters.
On his 75th birthday, Bishop Bradley submitted his resignation as bishop of Kalamazoo to Pope Francis, as required by canon law.
On May 23, 2023, the pope accepted his resignation at the age of 77. Bishop Edward M. Lohse was ordained and installed as his successor, July 25.
On Sept. 28, 2023, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Bradley as the apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Steubenville. Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, the fifth bishop of Steubenville, was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Detroit.
On June 14, 2024, he concluded his duties as apostolic administrator. Bishop Edward M. Lohse, bishop of Kalamazoo, was given the additional appontment as apostolic administrator of Steubenville. -
Coat of Arms
Episcopal motto: “Waiting in Joyful Hope,” which comes from St. Paul’s Letter to Titus, Chapter 2, Verse 13. -
Letters
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Reflection on National Eucharistic Pilgrimage's Arrival