Joseph Victor Adamec

Joseph Victor Adamec (August 13, 1935 – March 20, 2019)[1] was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania from 1987 to 2011.[2]

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Joseph Victor Adamec
Bishop of Altoona–Johnstown
ChurchRoman Catholic
SeeDiocese of Altoona–Johnstown
AppointedMarch 12, 1987
InstalledMay 20, 1987
Term endedJanuary 14, 2011
PredecessorJames John Hogan
SuccessorMark Leonard Bartchak
Orders
OrdinationJune 3, 1960
by Luigi Traglia
ConsecrationMay 20, 1987
by Jozef Tomko, James John Hogan, and Francis Frederick Reh
Personal details
Born(1935-08-13)August 13, 1935
Bannister, Michigan, US
DiedMarch 20, 2019(2019-03-20) (aged 83)
Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, US
MottoHousehold of God
Styles of
Joseph Victor Adamec
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

On March 1, 2016, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane implied that as bishop, Adamec led a major cover-up scandal involving the sexual assault of hundreds of children by Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown priests.[3]

Biography

Early life

Joseph Adamec was born on August 13, 1935, in Bannister, Michigan, the son of Michal August Adamec and Alzbeta Eva Ochran Adamec.[4] He attended Michigan State University from 1953 to 1955,[4] and studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical Nepomucene College in Rome.

Priesthood

Adamec was ordained by Cardinal Luigi Traglia in the Church of St. Anselm in Rome on July 3, 1960, for the Diocese of Nitra in Slovakia (the former diocese of his parents). He earned a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in 1961.[4]

Adamec returned to serve the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, where he served in numerous capacities, including secretary of the bishop and master of ceremonies, ecclesiastical notary, and chancellor of the diocese. In 1980 he received the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" medal which recognized service to the Catholic Church and pope. In 1985, Adamec was named a prelate of honor. Adamec also served as the national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, a position he was elected to in 1971 and held for seventeen years.

Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown

On March 12, 1987, Adamec was named the bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese. He was consecrated on May 20, 1987, in the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament by Jozef Cardinal Tomko.[5]

His retirement and the appointment of his successor were announced on January 14, 2011. Mark Leonard Bartchak, of the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania, was named his successor.

Joseph Adamec died in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, on March 20, 2019, at age 83.

See also

References
  1. Havener, Crispin (March 21, 2019). "Former Altoona-Johnstown Bishop Joseph Adamec dead at 83". WJAC.
  2. Rice, Ruth (December 23, 2010). "Holy season: Clergy will focus on manger scene during worship services". Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
  3. "Priests and church leaders sexually abused hundreds of children in Altoona Diocese: AG office". PennLive.com. March 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  4. Who's Who in Religion. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, Inc. 1977. p. 3. ISBN 0-8379-1602-X.
  5. "Bishop's Biography". Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona Johnstown. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2010.

Episcopal succession
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