Retired La Crosse Bishop Paul dies at age 87

Published: 2006-03-07

LA CROSSE, Wis. (CNS) -- Retired Bishop John J. Paul, who headed the Diocese of La Crosse from 1983 until 1995, died March 5 at age 87 at Franciscan Skemp Mayo Health System in La Crosse. A funeral Mass was scheduled for March 10 at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse, with Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of Milwaukee as the main celebrant and La Crosse Bishop Jerome E. Listecki and several other bishops and priests of the diocese as concelebrants. A native of La Crosse, John Joseph Paul was born Aug. 17, 1918. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1943 and was assistant pastor at St. Patrick Parish in Eau Claire 1943-55. From 1955 to 1966 he was rector of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse. In 1956 he received the title of monsignor from Pope Pius XII, and he was appointed vicar general of the diocese in 1965. Bishop Paul became cathedral rector in 1966, a position he held until 1977. That May he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the diocese. In October 1983, Bishop Paul was named the seventh bishop of La Crosse by Pope John Paul II.

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