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Bishop Lynch is a native of
West Virginia and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree
from the Josephinum in 1963 and remained in the School of Theology until
1965. He re-entered theology at Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston,
Massachusetts in September of 1975. On May 13, 1978, he was ordained to the
priesthood by Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Miami.
After ordination, Bishop
Lynch was assigned to St. James Parish in North Miami as
an Associate Pastor. He remained there until July, 1979
at which time he returned to the episcopal conference in
Washington for four months for the purpose of planning
and organizing the first pastoral visit of Pope John
Paul II to the United States in October, 1979. This was
to be the first of four visits by Pope John Paul II in
which Bishop Lynch played an active role as coordinator.
Upon returning to Miami following Pope John Paul II’s departure from the United
States in October, 1979, Bishop Lynch was assigned to St. John Vianney College
Seminary, Miami, as President-Rector. He remained in this position for five
years.
In August, 1984, Bishop Lynch was assigned to the National Conference of
Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference as an Associate General
Secretary to Monsignor Daniel F. Hoye. Bishop Lynch’s specific area of
responsibility within the bishop’s conference during these years was for public
policy matters. In 1987, he again planned and executed Pope John Paul II’s ten
day second pastoral visit to the United States, which included his own home
Archdiocese of Miami.
Bishop Lynch succeeded Monsignor Hoye as General Secretary on February 2, 1989
and began a six year period of service to the bishops of the United States. He
was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II with the title "Monsignor" in
September of 1989. In his capacity as General Secretary, Bishop Lynch also
served as Corporate Secretary and member of the Board of Catholic Relief
Services. He completed his term of service as General Secretary on February 2,
1995 and returned to the Archdiocese of Miami.
After a four month sabbatical leave, Bishop Lynch was assigned by Archbishop
John C. Favalora as Pastor of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, Fort Lauderdale, on
June 1, 1995.
Bishop Lynch was officially named the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of St.
Petersburg on December 5, 1995. Bishop Lynch was formally installed and ordained
as the Fourth Bishop of St. Petersburg on January 26, 1996 at the Cathedral of
St. Jude, St. Petersburg. |
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