Paul Francis Anderson
Encyclopedia
Paul Francis Anderson was an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Duluth
(1969-82) and Auxiliary Bishop of Sioux Falls
(1982-87).
, Massachusetts
, to Philip and Mary Elizabeth Anderson. His father lost his job during the 1919 Boston Police Strike
and later became a motorman on the Boston Elevated Railway
. After graduating from Winthrop High School in 1935, he enrolled at Boston College
but soon transferred to St. John's Seminary in Brighton. He was ordained
to the priesthood
by Bishop Richard Cushing on January 6, 1943.
Anderson then served as a curate
at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham
until 1946, when he accepted an invitation to join the Diocese of Sioux Falls
in South Dakota
. He served as a curate at Sacred Heart Church in Aberdeen
, St. Martin Church in Huron
, and Holy Cross Church in Ipswich
. From 1947 to 1959, he was administrator of St. Catherine Church in Oldham
. During his tenure in Oldham, he built a new church after the original structure was destroyed in a fire. He later served as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Montrose
(1959-62), of St. Mary Church in Salem
(1962-65), and of St. Martin in Huron (1965-69). During his pastoral work, he became active in the Christian Family Movement
.
On July 19, 1968, Anderson was appointed Coadjutor Bishop
of the Diocese of Duluth
, Minnesota
, and Titular Bishop
of Polinianum by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following October 17 from Bishop Lambert Anthony Hoch
, with Bishops Francis Joseph Schenk
and Thomas Joseph Riley
serving as co-consecrators
. Upon the resignation of Bishop Schenk, Anderson succeeded him as the fifth Bishop of Duluth
on April 30, 1969. During his 13-year tenure, he earned a reputation as an advocate for progressive causes, and worked to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council
. He organized five regional pastoral councils, encouraged charismatic
services, and improved Catholic relations with Protestants
and Jews. He privately believed in the ordination of women
, and appointed one of the first laywomen to serve on a diocesan matrimonial court.
On August 17, 1982, Anderson resigned as Bishop of Duluth; he was appointed the first auxiliary bishop
of the Diocese of Sioux Falls by Pope John Paul II
on the same date. As an auxiliary bishop, he served as diocesan Vicar for Spiritual Renewal. He died from complications following cancer
surgery at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester
, at age 69.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Duluth
Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. The episcopal see is in Duluth, Minnesota. It was established on October 3, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII. The diocese includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St...
(1969-82) and Auxiliary Bishop of Sioux Falls
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is a Roman Catholic diocese in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It was founded on November 12, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII and comprises that part of South Dakota east of the Missouri River. The architect for the St...
(1982-87).
Biography
Paul Anderson was born in Roslindale, a neighborhood in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, to Philip and Mary Elizabeth Anderson. His father lost his job during the 1919 Boston Police Strike
Boston Police Strike
In the Boston Police Strike, the Boston police rank and file went out on strike on September 9, 1919 in order to achieve recognition for their trade union and improvements in wages and working conditions...
and later became a motorman on the Boston Elevated Railway
Boston Elevated Railway
The Boston Elevated Railway was a precursor first to the Metropolitan Transit Authority in Massachusetts, now the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, operating rapid transit, streetcars and buses in the Boston, Massachusetts area. It was formerly known as the West End Street Railway.The...
. After graduating from Winthrop High School in 1935, he enrolled at Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
but soon transferred to St. John's Seminary in Brighton. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Bishop Richard Cushing on January 6, 1943.
Anderson then served as a curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church in Waltham
Waltham, Massachusetts
Waltham is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, was an early center for the labor movement, and major contributor to the American Industrial Revolution. The original home of the Boston Manufacturing Company, the city was a prototype for 19th century industrial city planning,...
until 1946, when he accepted an invitation to join the Diocese of Sioux Falls
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls is a Roman Catholic diocese in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It was founded on November 12, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII and comprises that part of South Dakota east of the Missouri River. The architect for the St...
in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. He served as a curate at Sacred Heart Church in Aberdeen
Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota, United States, about 125 mi northeast of Pierre. Settled in 1880, it was incorporated in 1882. The city population was 26,091 at the 2010 census. The American News is the local newspaper...
, St. Martin Church in Huron
Huron, South Dakota
Huron is a city in Beadle County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 12,592 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Beadle County. Huron was the home of now-defunct Huron University since 1897. Huron is also the home of the South Dakota State Fair...
, and Holy Cross Church in Ipswich
Ipswich, South Dakota
Ipswich is a city in Edmunds County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 954 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Edmunds County.-Geography:Ipswich is located at ....
. From 1947 to 1959, he was administrator of St. Catherine Church in Oldham
Oldham, South Dakota
Oldham is a city in Kingsbury County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 133 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Oldham is located at ....
. During his tenure in Oldham, he built a new church after the original structure was destroyed in a fire. He later served as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Montrose
Montrose, South Dakota
Montrose is a city in McCook County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 472 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Montrose is located at ....
(1959-62), of St. Mary Church in Salem
Salem, South Dakota
Salem is a city in and the county seat of McCook County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 1,347 at the 2010 census. The current mayor is Kennth Scott, a long-time resident. Salem at one time was called Melas...
(1962-65), and of St. Martin in Huron (1965-69). During his pastoral work, he became active in the Christian Family Movement
Christian Family Movement
The Christian Family Movement is a national movement of parish small groups of families that meet in one another’s homes to reinforce Christian values and actively encourage other fellow Christian parents through active involvement with others...
.
On July 19, 1968, Anderson was appointed Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of the Diocese of Duluth
Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. The episcopal see is in Duluth, Minnesota. It was established on October 3, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII. The diocese includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Polinianum by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following October 17 from Bishop Lambert Anthony Hoch
Lambert Anthony Hoch
Lambert Anthony Hoch was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Bismarck and Bishop of Sioux Falls .-Biography:...
, with Bishops Francis Joseph Schenk
Francis Joseph Schenk
Francis Joseph Schenk was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Crookston and Bishop of Duluth .-Biography:...
and Thomas Joseph Riley
Thomas Joseph Riley
Thomas Joseph Riley was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston from 1959 to 1976.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. Upon the resignation of Bishop Schenk, Anderson succeeded him as the fifth Bishop of Duluth
Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Duluth is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. The episcopal see is in Duluth, Minnesota. It was established on October 3, 1889 by Pope Leo XIII. The diocese includes Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St...
on April 30, 1969. During his 13-year tenure, he earned a reputation as an advocate for progressive causes, and worked to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
. He organized five regional pastoral councils, encouraged charismatic
Catholic Charismatic Renewal
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a movement within the Catholic Church. Worship is characterized by vibrant Masses, as well as prayer meetings featuring prophecy, healing and "praying in tongues." This movement is based on the belief that certain charismata , bestowed by the Holy Spirit, such as...
services, and improved Catholic relations with Protestants
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and Jews. He privately believed in the ordination of women
Ordination of women
Ordination in general religious usage is the process by which a person is consecrated . The ordination of women is a regular practice among some major religious groups, as it was of several religions of antiquity...
, and appointed one of the first laywomen to serve on a diocesan matrimonial court.
On August 17, 1982, Anderson resigned as Bishop of Duluth; he was appointed the first auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Diocese of Sioux Falls by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on the same date. As an auxiliary bishop, he served as diocesan Vicar for Spiritual Renewal. He died from complications following cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
surgery at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, at age 69.