Paul Albert Zipfel

Paul Zipfel was born on September 22, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Albert and Leona (née Rau) Zipfel. He had two older siblings, Ralph and Marion. Paul Zipfel attended St. Michael's Elementary School from 1940 to 1949, and afterwards entered the St. Louis Preparatory Seminary. Zipfel then studied at Kenrick Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri (1955–1957) and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. (1957–1961).

Zipfel was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of St. Louis on March 18, 1961.[1]

Zipfel obtained his Licentiate of Sacred Theology in June 1961 and completed his graduate studies at Saint Louis University from 1963 to 1965, earning a Master of Education. From 1961 to 1989, Zipfel did pastoral work in the archdiocese as an associate pastor, pastor, teacher and administrator at various schools and parishes.

On May 16, 1989, Zipfel was appointed auxiliary bishop of St. Louis and Titular Bishop of Walla Walla by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 29 from Archbishop John May, with Bishops O'Donnell and Steib serving as co-consecrators.[1]

Zipfel was named the sixth Bishop of Bismarck, North Dakota, on December 31, 1996, being installed on February 20, 1997.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Zipfel sat on the Administrative Committee and the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee.

In June 2002, Zipfel introduced a zero tolerance policy of sexual abuse allegations against priests in the diocese. Anyone accused of abuse would be immediately removed from active ministry and reported to the police for investigation.[2]

Zipfel's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on October 19, 2011, and he was succeeded by David Kagan. In retirement, Bishop Zipfel took up residence in Saint Joseph's Hall at the University of Mary in Bismarck, where he provided sacramental and spiritual service to students.

In 2012, Zipfel was diagnosed with dementia. His family and the Diocese of Bismarck decided to move him back to St. Louis to be closer to family. Zipfel lived at Mother of Good Counsel Home in Normandy, Missouri. Zipfel died on July 14, 2019.[1][3]