Pope Names Harrisburg Priest as New Auxiliary Bishop for Pittsburgh

WASHINGTON (February 25, 2011)—Pope Benedict XVI has named Father William J. Waltersheid, Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life of the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, as auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh. The appointment was publicized in Washington, February 25, by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-elect Waltersheid, 54, is a native of Ashland, Pennsylvania. He attended St. John Seminary College, Brighton, Massachusetts, and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a licentiate in dogmatic theology in 1993.

He was ordained a priest in Harrisburg in 1992.

Bishop-elect Waltersheid served as Parochial Vicar, St. Theresa Parish, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, 1994-1995; Parochial Vicar, Prince of Peace Parish, Steelton, Pennsylvania, 1995-1999; Director of Pastoral Formation, North American College, Rome, 1999-2000; Vice Rector, North American College, 2000-2003; Pastor, St. Patrick Parish, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 2003-2006, and Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life, 2006 to present.

Bishop-elect Waltersheid serves on the Board of Trustees of Holy Spirit Hospital, Harrisburg, and speaks several languages, including French, Italian, ad Spanish.

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