Joseph Gabriel Pinten (October 3, 1867 – November 6, 1945) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Superior in Wisconsin (1922–1926), and as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Michigan (1926–1940).


Joseph Gabriel Pinten
Bishop of Superior
titular bishop of Sela
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
SeeDiocese of Superior
In officeMay 3, 1922 – October 25, 1926
PredecessorJoseph Maria Koudelka
SuccessorTheodore H. Reverman
Other post(s)Bishop of Grand Rapids
October 28, 1926 –
November 1, 1940
Orders
OrdinationNovember 1, 1890
by Lucido Parocchi
ConsecrationMay 3, 1922
by Sebastian Gebhard Messmer
Personal details
Born(1867-10-03)October 3, 1867
DiedNovember 6, 1945(1945-11-06) (aged 78)
Marquette, Michigan, US
BuriedHoly Cross Cemetery
ParentsJoseph and Anna (Kloekner) Pinten
EducationSt. Francis Seminary
Propaganda Fide

Biography

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Early years

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Joseph Pinten was born in Rockland, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Anna Pinten.[1] He grew up in Calumet, Michigan.[2] In 1881, he entered Saint Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, Wisconsin. Pinten traveled to Rome in 1885 to attend the Propaganda Fide University in Rome.[3]

Priesthood

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Pinten was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Lucido Parocchi on November 1, 1890, at Trinità dei Monti Church in Rome for the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie-Marquette.[4][5] After returning to Michigan, Pinten was assigned as an assistant pastor at St. Paul's Parish in Negaunee, Michigan, in 1892 and then assistant pastor of St. Fidelis Parish in Detour, Michigan. Pinten spent 1893 on medical leave, then had the following parish assignments:

  • Administrator at St Fidelis (1894)
  • Pastor at Holy Rosary (Assumption) in Iron Mountain (1894 to 1895)
  • Pastor at St. Barbara's in Vulcan (1895 to 1898)
  • Pastor at St. Joseph's in L'Anse (1898)[6]
  • Rector at St. Peter's Cathedral (1899)[3]

In 1912, Pinten was named vicar general of the diocese. Later that year Pope Pius X designated him as a domestic prelate, with the honorific title of monsignor. He directed the construction of Holy Family Orphan's Home in Marquette, and headed the orphanage from 1916 to 1922. In 1919, Pinten used his own funds to purchase the dormitory property of Northern Normal College in Marquette, Michigan. Pinten then donated it to the diocese to use as a church, requiring it be named Saint Michael and that it would have a parish school.[7]

Bishop of Superior

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On November 30, 1921, Pope Benedict XV appointed Pinten as the third bishop of the Diocese of Superior. He was ordained bishop on May 3, 1922, at St. Peter Cathedral with Archbishop Sebastian Messmer presiding. The next day, an enthronement ceremony was held at Sacred Heart pro-cathedral in Superior, Wisconsin.[7]

After his arrival in Superior, Pinten purchased a home for himself. When he learned that a local community of sisters was living in an overcrowded residence, he remodeled the house and quietly turned it over to them. He oversaw numerous building and expansion projects throughout the diocese.

Ground breaking for the new cathedral began on June 23, 1926.[2] In his last act as bishop of Superior, Pinten blessed and laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior on October 24, 1926. The next day he left for his new appointment at Grand Rapids.[7]

Bishop of Grand Rapids

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On June 25, 1926, Pope Pius XI appointed Pinten as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He was installed there on October 28, 1926.[5][7][8]

Death and legacy

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On November 1, 1940, Pope Pius XII accepted Pinten's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Superior and appointed him as titular bishop of Sela. In poor health after his retirement, Joseph Pinter moved back to Marquette, Michigan, where he died at St. Mary's Hospital on November 6, 1945.[2][5][9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Fuller, George Newman (1939). Michigan, a Centennial History of the State and Its People ... Lewis publishing Company.
  2. ^ a b c Our Journey through Faith; A History of the Diocese of Superior. Ireland: Booklink, 2005, pp. 28-30.
  3. ^ a b "PINTEN, Joseph Gabriel" (PDF). Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  4. ^ Biographical Record ... of Houghton, Baraga and Marquette Counties, Michigan. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903, pp. 225-226.
  5. ^ a b c "Bishop Joseph Gabriel Pinten [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  6. ^ Scott Jamieson. History of St. Peter Cathedral: Joseph Gabriel Pinten.
  7. ^ a b c d Diocese of Superior. Bishop Pinten (1922-1926). Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  8. ^ "Install Bishop of Grand Rapids". The New York Times. October 29, 1926. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "BISHOP J.G. PINTEN; Retired Head of Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mich., Dies". The New York Times. November 7, 1945. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Grand Rapids
1926–1940
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Superior
1922–1926
Succeeded by