Norbert Felix Gaughan (May 30, 1921 – October 1, 1999) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg in Pennsylvania from 1975 to 1984 and as bishop of the Diocese of Gary in Indiana from 1984 to 1996.[1]


Norbert Felix Gaughan

D.D.
Bishop of Gary
SeeDiocese of Gary
In officeOctober 2, 1984 - June 1, 1996
PredecessorAndrew Gregory Grutka
SuccessorDale Joseph Melczek
Orders
OrdinationNovember 4, 1945
by Hugh Charles Boyle
ConsecrationJune 26, 1975
by William G. Connare
Personal details
BornMay 30, 1921
DiedOctober 1, 1999 (age 78)
Crown Point, Indiana, US
DenominationCatholic Church
Previous post(s)Titular Bishop of Taraqua and auxiliary bishop of Greensburg (1975 - 1984)
MottoGrant a heart that listens
Styles of
Norbert Felix Gaughan
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop
Posthumous stylenot applicable

Biography edit

Gaughan was born on May 30, 1921, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a priest on November 4, 1945, for the Diocese of Greensburg.

Auxiliary Bishop of Greensburg edit

On April 2, 1975, Gaughan was named titular bishop of Taraqua and auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg by Pope Paul VI. He was consecrated by Bishop William G. Connare; Bishop Cyril Vogel and Auxiliary Bishop John McDowell were the principal co-consecrators.

Bishop of Gary edit

On July 24, 1984 John Paul II named Gaughan as the second bishop of the Diocese of Gary.[2] In February 1992, Gaughan suffered a debilitating stroke. Because of his health situation, Paul II appointed Bishop Dale Melczek on August 19, 1992, to be the apostolic administrator sede plena of the diocese. On October 28, 1995, Paul II appointed Bishop Melczek to be the coadjutor bishop of the Gary diocese. This meant that upon Gaughan's retirement, Melczek would succeed him immediately as bishop.

Retirement and legacy edit

On June 1, 1996. Paul II accepted Gaughan's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Gary.[3] Gaughan spent his final years at Saint Anthony Home in Crown Point, Indiana. Norbert Gaughan died on October 1, 1999, in Crown Point. He was buried in the Saint Emma Convent cemetery in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, after a funeral mass in Gary.

References edit

  1. ^ "Diocese of Gary United States". Gcatholic.org. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  2. ^ "Bishop Norbert Felix Gaughan". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  3. ^ "Brief History of the Diocese". Diocese of Gary. Archived from the original on December 14, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Gary
1984–1996
Succeeded by