Longtime Cleveland Bishop Anthony Pilla Dead At 88

CLEVELAND — Longtime Cleveland Bishop Anthony Pilla died Tuesday at age 88.

"Bishop Pilla died peacefully at his personal residence. In my short time as the bishop of Cleveland I came to know Bishop Pilla as a very warm, kind-hearted and deeply faithful shepherd, always dedicated to the people of the diocese. He was generous with his time and sharing his knowledge and concern for the diocese with me," said Bishop Edward Malesic.

Funeral arrangements for Pilla will be forthcoming, the Cleveland Diocese said.

Pilla was a Cleveland native who attended Cathedral Latin High School before matriculating at St. Gregory Seminary High School in Cincinnati and St. Gregory Seminary College in Cincinnati. He then attended Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland.

Live in Cleveland? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

He became a priest in 1959 and was assigned to St. Bartholomew Parish in Middleburg Heights. He became a professor at Borromeo Seminary in 1960, rector-president of the seminary in 1972 and was then appointed secretary for services to clergy and religious personnel in 1975.

Pilla became the ninth bishop of Cleveland in 1980, when he was appointed by Pope John Paull II. He was officially installed in 1981.

He retired from his post in 2006, but was installed as Cleveland's Bishop emeritus.

"As a leader in the national Church, Bishop Pilla was an inspiration and example to me throughout my priesthood and in my years as a bishop. I felt so welcomed by him when I came to the Diocese of Cleveland, a Church that he loved so much. As a leader in the community and a friend to so many, he will be greatly missed," Malesic said.

Gov. Mike DeWine also mourned Pilla's passing.

"Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Anthony Pilla. Bishop Pilla was a devoted servant of the Lord who cared deeply for the people of Northeast Ohio. He was one of them. And as Bishop, his relationship with the people of the diocese was as personal and meaningful as the relationship between a parish priest and his congregation," DeWine said.