Alexander M. Zaleski

Alexander Mieceslaus Zaleski (June 24, 1906 – May 16, 1975) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Lansing in Michigan from 1965 until his death in 1975. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit in Michigan from 1950 to 1965.

The Most Reverend

Alexander Mieceslaus Zaleski
Bishop of Lansing
SeeDiocese of Lansing
In officeDecember 1, 1965
May 16, 1975
PredecessorJoseph H. Albers
SuccessorKenneth Joseph Povish
Other post(s)Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit
1950 to 1964
Orders
OrdinationJuly 12, 1931
by John Gregory Murray
ConsecrationMay 23, 1950
by Edward Aloysius Mooney
Personal details
Born(1906-06-24)June 24, 1906
Laurel, New York, US
DiedMay 16, 1975(1975-05-16) (aged 68)
Lansing, Michigan, US
EducationAmerican College of the Immaculate Conception
Pontifical Biblical Institute

Biography

Early life

One of seven children, Alexander Zaleski was born in Laurel, New York, to Anthony and Bertha (née Janulewicz) Zaleski.[1] After graduating from Don Bosco Preparatory High School at Ramsey, New Jersey, in 1924, he attended SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan.[1] He went to Leuven, Belgium, in 1927 to study at the American College of Louvain.

Priesthood

Zaleski was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop John Gregory Murray in Leuven on July 12, 1931.[2] Following his return to Michigan, Zaleski served as a curate at Resurrection Parish in Detroit until 1932, when he was transferred to St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in the same city.[1] In 1935, he returned to Rome to study at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, earning a Licentiate of Sacred Scripture.[1]

After returning to Michigan in 1935, Zaleski was named to the faculty of SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary. He left the seminary in 1937 to become vice-chancellor of the archdiocese. In 1949, Zaleski was named pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Pontiac in 1949. He transferred in 1956 to St. Alphonsus Parish in Dearborn to serve as pastor there.[1] Zaleski was named a domestic prelate in 1946.[1]

Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit

On March 28, 1950, Zaleski was appointed as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit and titular bishop of Lyrbe by Pope Pius XII.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on May 23, 1950, from Cardinal Edward Mooney, with Bishops Stephen Woznicki and Allen Babcock serving as co-consecrators.[2] Zaleski was appointed vicar general of the archdiocese in 1954.[1] While auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as pastor at St. Alphonsus.

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Lansing

Zaleski was named coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Lansing on October 7, 1964 by Pope Paul VI.[2] Upon the death of Bishop Joseph H. Albers, Zaleski succeeded him as bishop on December 1, 1965.[2][3][4][5] He also served as chairman of the Committee on Doctrine in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; in this capacity, he played a prominent role in the censuring of liberal theologian Charles Curran.[6] Zaleski was present at the opening session of the Second Vatican Council.[4]

Death and legacy

Alexander Zaleski died on May 16, 1975, in Lansing at age 68.[2]

References
  1. Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
  2. "Bishop Alexander Mieceslaus Zaleski". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. Archdiocese of Lansing home page and history Archived September 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Faith Magazine, History of Lansing diocese. Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. History of the bishops of Lansing, Archdiocese of Lansing home page and history Archived September 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Curran, Charles (2006). Loyal Dissent: Memoir of a Catholic Theologian. Washington,D.C.: Georgetown University Press. ISBN 1589010876.
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