Alfred Michael Watson (July 11, 1908 – January 4, 1990) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania (1969–1982).
Alfred Michael Watson | |
|---|---|
| Bishop emeritus of Erie | |
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| See | Erie |
| In office | 17 March 1969 – 16 July 1982 |
| Predecessor | John Francis Whealon |
| Successor | Michael Joseph Murphy |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 10 May 1934 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 11, 1908 |
| Died | January 4, 1990 (aged 81) Erie, Pennsylvania |
| Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Erie |
Biography edit
Watson was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and ordained a priest on May 10, 1934.[1] On May 17, 1965, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Erie and Titular Bishop of Nationa by Pope Paul VI.[1] He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 29 from Cardinal John Krol, with Bishop John Selby Spence and Joseph Francis Donnelly serving as co-consecrators.[1] Watson attended Cathedral Preparatory School.
Following the promotion of John Francis Whealon to Archbishop of Hartford in 1968, Watson was named Bishop of Erie on March 17, 1969.[1] He was accused of being too slow to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, and met considerable opposition from the diocesan clergy.[2] During his tenure, he ordained 88 priests, but was forced to close or merge several Catholic schools.[2]
After breaking his hip and undergoing surgery,[2] he retired on July 16, 1982.[1] He died 9 years later at age 81.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop Alfred Michael Watson". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
- ^ a b c "About the Diocese (1969-1990): Bishop Alfred M. Watson and Bishop Murphy". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie. Archived from the original on 2009-07-06.