John Baptist Pitaval (February 10, 1858 – May 23, 1928) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Santa Fe from 1909 to 1918.
John Baptist Pitaval | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Santa Fe | |
 | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Santa Fe |
| Appointed | February 1, 1909 |
| Retired | July 29, 1918 |
| Predecessor | Peter Bourgade |
| Successor | Albert Daeger |
| Other post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Santa Fe (1902-1909) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 24, 1881 by Joseph Projectus Machebeuf |
| Consecration | July 25, 1902 by Peter Bourgade |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 10, 1858 |
| Died | May 23, 1928 (aged 70) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
Early life and education
editPitaval was born on February 10, 1858, in Saint-Genis-Terrenoir to Jean Claude and Mariette (née Pugnet) Pitaval.[1][2] He made his preliminary studies for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Lyon, where he was ordained a subdeacon.[3]
Pitaval accepted an invitation from Bishop Joseph Projectus Machebeuf to join the Diocese of Denver, arriving in the United States in June 1881.[3] He completed his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was ordained a deacon by Archbishop James Gibbons.[3]
Priesthood
editPitaval was ordained a priest on December 24, 1881, by Bishop Machebeuf at the chapel of St. Mary's Academy in Denver.[4] Along with Robert Servant, he was one of the first two Catholic priests ordained in Colorado.[5]
Pitaval engaged in missionary work for the next 21 years. He first served in the San Luis Valley, traveling the valley on horseback and supporting himself by selling livestock.[5] In 1890, he was transferred to St. Paul's Church in Aspen, where he built a combination church and school building.[5] He was appointed to St. Columba Church at Durango in March 1902, remaining there only for a few months.[3]
Bishop in Santa Fe
editOn May 14, 1902, Pitaval was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and titular bishop of Sora by Pope Leo XIII.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 25 from Archbishop Peter Bourgade, with Bishops Nicholas Chrysostom Matz and Henry Regis Granjon serving as co-consecrators.[4]
Pitaval served as an auxiliary bishop for seven years and, following the death of Archbishop Bourgade, he was appointed by Pope Pius X to succeed him as Archbishop of Santa Fe on February 1, 1909.[4] His appointment was praised by Governor George Curry, who sent a message of thanks to Rome.[6]
At the beginning of Pitaval's tenure in 1909, the archdiocese contained 127,000 Catholics, 65 priests, 45 parishes, 340 missions, 12 parochial schools, and three hospitals.[7] Following his retirement nine years later, there were over 140,000 Catholics, 80 priests, 46 parishes, 356 missions, 26 parochial schools, and five hospitals.[8] Among the institutions he founded were St. Anthony's Orphanage at Albuquerque and St. Mary's Hospital at Gallup.[5] He also erected a bronze statue of Jean-Baptiste Lamy, Santa Fe's first archbishop, outside the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.[5]
Later life and death
editPitaval resigned as Archbishop of Santa Fe on July 29, 1918, citing his poor health and desire for a new generation of leadership.[9] He was given the honorary title of titular archbishop of Amida by Pope Benedict XV.[4] He retired to Colorado, residing at St. Anthony Hospital and briefly serving as a chaplain there.[5]
Pitaval died from complications with Bright's disease, diabetes, and heart disease at St. Anthony Hospital on May 23, 1928, at age 70.[5] He is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.
References
edit- ^ Sheehan, Michael J., ed. (1998). Four Hundred Years of Faith: Seeds of Struggle, Harvest of Faith; A History of the Catholic Church in New Mexico. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
- ^ "Lozère Archives". Filae.com.(registration required)
- ^ a b c d "Diocese of Denver". Intermountain Catholic. July 12, 1902.
- ^ a b c d e "Archbishop John Baptist Pitaval". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- ^ a b c d e f g "ARCHBISHOP JOHN BAPTIST PITAVAL DIES IN DENVER". Denver Catholic Register. May 24, 1928.
- ^ "Missionary Notes and News". Catholic Missions. III (III): 91. May 1909.
- ^ The Official Catholic Directory and Clergy List. Milwaukee: M. H. Wiltzius. 1909. p. 211.
- ^ The Official Catholic Directory. New York: P. J. Kenedy. 1919. p. 223.
- ^ "Resignation of an Archbishop". The Tablet. July 20, 1918.