John Joseph Paul


John Joseph Paul was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Biography

Early years

Paul was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1935 and from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1939.

Ordination and ministry

Paul was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on January 24, 1943 by Auxiliary Bishop William Richard Griffin at St. Rose of Viterbo Convent in La Crosse, which is the motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. While stationed in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Paul help established Regis High School.
In 1955, Paul became rector of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse. On October 7, 1956, Pope Pius XII made Paul a monsignor. In 1956, he received a master's degree in education from Marquette University. In 1966, Paul became rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse.

Bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin

Paul was appointed auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of La Crosse on May 17, 1977, and was consecrated on August 4, 1977.
On October 14, 1983, Paul was appointed diocesan bishop, succeeding Frederick William Freking, and on December 5, 1983, he was installed as bishop. In 1986, Paul convened the fourth diocesan synod following the revised Canon Law of 1983; in 1987, the decrees of the fourth diocesan synod were published as: The Bishop With His People. In 1992, Paul founded the Aquinas Middle School.
On December 10, 1994, Paul retired and was succeeded as bishop by Raymond Leo Burke. Paul died at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse at the age of 87.