[Diocese of Pittsburgh Media Advisory]
Father David Bonnar, pastor of Saint Aidan Parish in Wexford, PA will become the new Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown. The announcement was made today, Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at 6:00 AM Eastern Time (12 NOON Vatican time).
“I am overwhelmed by the trust and confidence the Holy Father has placed in me in appointing me the Bishop of Youngstown. It is humbling following a long line of Pittsburgh priests that include Cardinal Maida, Cardinal Wuerl, Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Bosco, Bishop Tobin, Bishop Zubik, Bishop Burns, and Bishop Bradley, who have been called to shepherd and serve the Church beyond our diocese,” said Father Bonnar.
The Diocese of Youngstown has been without a bishop since June 5, 2020, when Bishop George V. Murry died of acute leukemia, just a short time after submitting his resignation to Pope Francis. He was 71. The College of Consultors in the Diocese of Youngstown elected Monsignor Robert Siffrin as Diocesan Administrator following Bishop Murry’s death. Monsignor Siffrin will continue to serve in that capacity until Tuesday, January 12 at 2:00 PM when Bishop-elect Bonnar is ordained as a bishop and will be installed as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown during the celebration of Holy Mass at Saint Columba Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio.
The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown is made up of nearly 200,000 Catholics in six northeast Ohio counties.
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STATEMENT FROM BISHOP DAVID ZUBIK ON THE APPOINTMENT OF FATHER DAVID BONNAR TO BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF YOUNGSTOWN
“The news of Father David Bonnar’s appointment as the next bishop of our neighbor, the Diocese of Youngstown, and of his being raised to the order of bishop is a time of great celebration in the Diocese of Youngstown but also for all of us in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Over the course of the years, there have been a number of our priests who have been made bishops from our diocese. It is once again a recognition of how many of our priests are strong leaders and heartfelt pastors.
There is no question in my mind that Father Bonnar is most qualified to take on his new responsibilities. For the vast majority of his 32-years as a priest, Father Bonnar has served in parish ministry. The faithful of Youngstown can look forward to very strong pastoral leadership on the part of their new bishop.
One of the things I admire most about Bishop-elect Bonnar is how much he is zealous in responding to the spiritual needs of his people—truly a sign of a good shepherd. I know that I speak on behalf of all of us in the Church of Pittsburgh as we wish Bishop-elect Bonnar good health, much happiness, and deepened holiness as he embraces this next and exciting chapter in his life.”
