Bishop Eckman is the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh
The Holy See announced on June 4, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop David A. Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 this past September. At the same time, the Holy Father has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman as the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Bishop Eckman will be installed on Monday, July 14, 2025, during a special Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
In a letter to diocesan clergy and staff this morning, Bishop Zubik wrote, “I am both grateful and thrilled with this appointment. Bishop Eckman knows the diocese. And we know him as an exceptional pastor, and outstanding administrator – truly an exemplary priest.” Bishop Eckman, who has served the diocese as an Auxiliary Bishop since 2022 and as a longtime parish priest, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
“With a grateful and humble heart, I accept this appointment and ask for the prayers of all the faithful,” Bishop Eckman said. “Together, we will continue the mission of Jesus Christ with hope.”
The Holy See announced today at 6:00 a.m. local time that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop David A. Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 this past September. At the same time, the Holy Father has appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman as the 13th Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.
Press conference on the appointment of Bishop Eckman as 13th Bishop of Pittsburgh
A press conference was held on Wednesday, June 4 at 10:00 a.m. at the Diocesan Pastoral Center to share details about Bishop Mark Eckman's appointment as the 13th Bishop of Pittsburgh. Bishop Mark Eckman, Bishop David Zubik, and Bishop William Waltersheid were present for a panel discussion. Jennifer Antkowiak, executive director of Communications and Community Relations, served as emcee.
Bishop Eckman and Bishop Zubik reflected on the news and answered media questions.
Bishop Mark Eckman Biography
Bishop Mark A. Eckman, M. Div., was born in Pittsburgh and graduated from Saint Valentine Elementary School in Bethel Park and the former South Hills Catholic High School in Mount Lebanon, now Seton LaSalle Catholic High School. He is the son of Francis and Clarissa Eckman (both deceased) and brother to Peggy Mannella (Bethel Park), Mary Haugen (deceased) and Francis, Jr. (deceased). He entered priestly formation at Saint Paul Seminary in East Carnegie, is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and received a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. Since his priestly ordination on May 11, 1985, Bishop Eckman has served primarily in South Hills parishes: as parochial vicar at five parishes, high school chaplain at Seton LaSalle and DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, pastor at three parishes, and administrator of two parishes. From July 15, 2013 until July 1, 2020, he was episcopal vicar for clergy personnel. He was assigned administrator of the parishes of Saint Thomas More and Saint John Capistran that merged to become Resurrection Parish, where he was pastor (appointed January 4, 2021). He was ordained an auxiliary bishop in 2022 and currently serves the diocese as Vicar General/General Secretary. He has also been a member of several boards including priest council, USCCB National Advisory Board, Permanent Diaconate Formation board, the seminary admissions board and priest candidates admissions board. Aside from his priestly duties, Bishop Eckman is devoted to his extended family and also enjoys photography, especially of mountains where he goes hiking and skiing.
Born September 27, 1810 at Cobb, Ireland; ordained June 1, 1833; appointed first Bishop of Pittsburgh August 11, 1843; consecrated August 15, 1843; transferred to first Bishop of Erie July 29, 1853; transferred to Pittsburgh December 20, 1853; resigned May 23, 1860; entered the Society of Jesus December 22, 1860; died October 18, 1872 at Woodstock, Maryland; buried in Jesuit cemetery at Woodstock, Maryland.
Born December 27, 1816 at Ruez, Spain; ordained June 30, 1839; appointed Bishop of Pittsburgh September 28, 1860; consecrated December 9, 1860; transferred to first Bishop of Allegheny, January 11, 1876; resigned July 29, 1877; died January 5, 1878 at Tarragona, Spain; buried at Tarragona, Spain.
Born February 19, 1820 at Donoughmore, Ireland; ordained May 14, 1850; appointed Bishop of Pittsburgh January 11, 1876; consecrated March 19, 1876; appointed Apostolic Administrator of Allegheny sede vacante 1877; died December 7, 1889 at Altoona, Pennsylvania; buried at Saint John Cemetery, Altoona, Pennsylvania.
Born January 1, 1828 at Ballyragget, Ireland; ordained May 4, 1854; appointed Titular Bishop of Cibyra and Coadjutor to the Right Reverend John Tuigg, D.D. May 12, 1885; consecrated August 2, 1885; succeeded to Pittsburgh December 7, 1889; died December 20, 1904 at Idlewood, Pennsylvania; buried at Saint Mary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Born June 5, 1853 at Beatty, Pennsylvania; ordained June 4, 1879; appointed Titular Bishop of Sabrata and Coadjutor Bishop of Pittsburgh January 16, 1903; consecrated February 24, 1903; succeeded to Pittsburgh December 20, 1904; appointed Titular Archbishop of Pelusium January 9, 1921; died March 22, 1927 at Pittsburgh; buried at Saint Mary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Born October 8, 1873 at Johnstown, Pennsylvania; ordained July 2, 1898; appointed Bishop of Pittsburgh June 16, 1921; consecrated June 29, 1921: died December 22, 1950 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; buried at Saint Mary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Born October 15, 1907 at Valley Falls, Rhode Island; ordained December 8, 1932; appointed Titular Bishop of Sarepta and Coadjutor Bishop of Pittsburgh March 13, 1948; consecrated May 18, 1948; succeeded to Pittsburgh, December 22, 1950; installed Archbishop of Detroit, December 18, 1958: created Cardinal April 28, 1969; resigned July 16, 1988; died August 2, 1988 at Southfleld, Michigan; buried in Detroit, Michigan.
Born July 18, 1909 at Dorchester, Massachusetts; ordained December 8, 1935; appointed Titular Bishop of Aegeae and Auxiliary Bishop of Boston May 10, 1947; consecrated June 30, 1947; transferred to first Bishop of Worcester, January 28, 1950; transferred to Pittsburgh January 23, 1959; to the Roman Curia as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy April 23, 1969; created Cardinal April 28, 1969; resigned from Pittsburgh, June 1, 1969; died August 10, 1979 at Cambridge, Mass.; buried in Boston, Mass.
Born December 11, 1908 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; ordained June 16, 1935; appointed Titular Bishop of Arsacal and Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh February 28, 1964; consecrated April 21. 1964; succeeded to Pittsburgh, June 1, 1969; resigned June 30, 1983; died August 28, 1994 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; buried at Calvary Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Born June 17, 1923 at Brooklyn, New York; ordained June 11, 1949; appointed Titular Bishop of Aquae Albae in Byzacena and Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn October 4, 1980; consecrated November 24, 1980; appointed Bishop of Pittsburgh October 10, 1983; installed Bishop of Pittsburgh December 12, 1983; installed Archbishop of Philadelphia February 11, 1988; created Cardinal June 29, 1991; resigned October 7, 2003. Died January 31, 2012.
Born November 12, 1940 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; ordained to the priesthood December 17, 1966; appointed Titular Bishop of Rosemarkie and Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle, Washington December 3, 1985; consecrated January 6, 1986; appointed Bishop of Pittsburgh February 12, 1988; installed March 25, 1988; installed Archbishop of Washington, DC June 22, 2006; resigned Archbishop of Washington DC October 12, 2018.
Born September 4, 1949 at Sewickley, PA; ordained May 3, 1975; appointed titular bishop of Jamestown and auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh on February 18, 1997. Consecrated April 6, 1997; appointed bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, on October 10, 2003; installed bishop of Green Bay on December 12, 2003; appointed bishop of Pittsburgh on July 18, 2007; installed bishop of Pittsburgh on September 28, 2007.