PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik has resigned, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced.
According to a release, Pope Leo XIV accepted his resignation at 6 a.m. Wednesday. Zubik reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in September.
“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," Zubik wrote in a letter to diocesan clergy and staff Wednesday morning.
At the same time, Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman was appointed as the 13th bishop.
Eckman has served the diocese as an Auxiliary Bishop since 2022. He will be installed on Monday, July 14, during a special Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland.
“With a grateful and humble heart, I accept this appointment and ask for the prayers of all the faithful,” Eckman said in a release. “Together, we will continue the mission of Jesus Christ with hope.”
“Even though a lot of people kept speculating that I would be the next bishop, I wasn’t so sure of that,” Eckman said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Eckman, who got the phone call last week, said he thought there was a chance he’d become bishop of another city, since dozens of bishops across the country are currently retiring at 75.
“‘Our Holy Father, Pope Leo, is appointing you as the Bishop of Pittsburgh.’ As soon as he said that, I just had this big relief,” Eckman said. “I thought, I don’t have to pack, I don’t have to move. So, once that happened, I was pretty settled.”
A Bethel Park native, Eckman has twice been pastor at St. Thomas More, and grew up at St. Valentine. He most recently worked in the Pittsburgh Diocese Central Administration as general secretary and is already well known.
“It was such a happy surprise, we’ve known him for so many years, he’s from this area,” said Joann Grunick, a St. Thomas More parishioner. “He was a wonderful priest, he was pastor here, he even opened the door for people.”
Bishop Zubik had to retire at 75, as required.
“I’d like to do spiritual direction for people who want to trust me in that regard,” Zubik said. “I want to be available to help parishes, to help with confessions and do all the pastoral things that I was ordained to do as a priest. Looking forward to that. And, especially, I have this pile of folders on my desk that I am happily going to give over to Bishop Eckman.”
Zubik went on to say he asked Pope Francis to remain on as bishop until his 50th anniversary in May. He believes both Pope Francis and Pope Leo allowed him that opportunity, for which he is grateful.
On the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh website, they shared a thank you message to Zubik:
“The Diocese of Pittsburgh is indebted to Bishop David A. Zubik for teaching us all to learn, love and live Jesus. For nearly 18 years, he has shepherded us as our diocesan Bishop. His example of holiness has inspired us to fall deeper in love with the Lord and to better serve Him in our brothers and sisters. Thank you for supporting us through all stages and phases of our lives, and for showing us that wherever we go, we go with God. We hold you close in thought and prayer.”
Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
