Francis Joseph Gossman (April 1, 1930 – August 12, 2013) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh in North Carolina from 1975 to 2006.


Francis Joseph Gossman
Bishop of Raleigh
Titular Bishop of Aguntum
DioceseDiocese of Raleigh
InstalledApril 8, 1975
Term endedJune 8, 2006
PredecessorVincent Stanislaus Waters
SuccessorMichael Francis Burbidge
Other post(s)Vice-chancellor of Baltimore
Assistant pastor of the Basilica of the Assumption
Administrator of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore
Orders
OrdinationDecember 17, 1955
by Martin John O’Connor
ConsecrationSeptember 11, 1968
by Lawrence Shehan
Personal details
Born(1930-04-01)April 1, 1930
DiedAugust 12, 2013(2013-08-12) (aged 83)
Raleigh, North Carolina, US
DenominationRoman Catholic
ResidenceRaleigh, North Carolina, US
ParentsFrank Gossman and Genevieve Steadman Gossman
Alma materSt. Mary's Seminary
Pontifical Gregorian University, Catholic University of America
Styles of
F. Joseph Gossman
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop
Posthumous stylenot applicable

Biography

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Early life

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Francis Gossman was born on April 1, 1930, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Frank and Genevieve (née Steadman) Gossman. He attended St. Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland. He then entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in 1952. Gossman furthered his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[1]

Priesthood

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Gossman was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore by Archbishop Martin O’Connor in Rome on December 17, 1955.[2] He earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1956. Upon his return to the United States, Gossman began his graduate studies at the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in Washington, D.C., receiving a Doctor of Canon Law degree in June 1959.[1]

In 1963, Gossman participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, organized by several African-American civil rights organizations.[1]

Gossman then served as vice-chancellor for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and assistant pastor at the Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore. In 1968, he was named administrator of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. Gossman was raised by the Vatican to the rank of monsignor on June 27, 1965.

Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore

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On July 15, 1968, Gossman was appointed auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and titular bishop of Aguntum by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on September 11, 1968, in Baltimore from Cardinal Lawrence Sheehan, with Bishops Thomas Murphy and Thomas Mardaga serving as co-consecrators.[2] As an auxiliary bishop, Gossman served as vicar for inner city Baltimore.

Bishop of Raleigh

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Paul VI named Gossman as the fourth bishop of Raleigh on April 8, 1975.[2] After a 31-year-long tenure and reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, his resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on June 8, 2006.

Death and legacy

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Francis Gossman died in Raleigh from a long-term illness on August 12, 2013, at age 83.[3]

The Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh gives the Bishop F. Joseph Gossman Award each year to a high school senior with high personal, spiritual and academic achievement.[4]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c "Bishop Joseph Gossman". Diocese of Raleigh. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  2. ^ a b c "Bishop Francis Joseph Gossman [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
  3. ^ "Retired Raleigh bishop dies at 83". 12 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Honors and Awards". www.cghsnc.org. Retrieved 2024-05-19.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Raleigh
1975–2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore
1968–1975
Succeeded by