Roger William Gries, OSB (born March 26, 1937) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is one of a few monastic priests to be named a bishop.


Roger W. Gries

Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Cleveland
Titular Bishop of Praesidium
Auxiliary Bishop Gries in February 2016
ArchdioceseCincinnati
DioceseCleveland
AppointedApril 13, 1982
InstalledJune 7, 2001
RetiredNovember 1, 2013
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Praesidium
Orders
OrdinationMay 16, 1963
by Clarence Edward Elwell
ConsecrationJune 7, 2001
by Anthony Michael Pilla, Alexander James Quinn, and Anthony Edward Pevec
Personal details
Born (1937-03-26) March 26, 1937 (age 87)
EducationLoyola University Chicago
Styles of
Roger William Gries
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Gries served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland in Ohio from 2001 to 2013. Previously, Gries was abbot of St. Andrew Abbey in Cleveland from 1981 to 2001.

Biography

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Early life

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Roger Gries was born on March 26, 1937, in Cleveland, Ohio, to John and Dorothy (Soukup) Gries. He attended Benedictine High School in Cleveland, where he captained the football team.[1] On July 11, 1957, Gries professed to the Order of St. Benedict, entering St. Andrew Abbey in Cleveland.[2]

Priesthood

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Gries was ordained a priest by Bishop Clarence Elwell on May 18, 1963 to the Order of St. Benedict.[2] Following his ordination, Gries attended Loyola University Chicago, where he earned Bachelor of Education and Master of Education degrees. In 1964, he was assigned to Benedictine High School in Cleveland, serving there until 2001 as a teacher, coach, bus driver, principal and president.[3]

On June 9, 1981, Gries was elected and confirmed as abbot of St. Andrew Abbey. He was blessed in August, 1981. Gries served as abbot for the next 20 years.[4]

Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland

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On March 25, 2001, Pope John Paul II named Gries as titular bishop of Praesidium and as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. He was consecrated by Bishop Anthony Pilla on June 7, 2001. with Auxiliary Bishops James Quinn and Anthony Pevec as the principal co-consecrators.[2]

Resignation

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Gries's letter of resignation as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Cleveland was accepted by Pope Francis on Friday, November 1, 2013.[5]

After his retirement, Gries performed confirmations, jubilees, funerals, and other celebrations and would visit inner city schools in Cleveland for mass and other activities.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rutti, Ron; Dealer, The Plain (2013-11-02). "Cleveland Catholic Diocese Auxiliary Bishop Roger Gries retires, but will continue his work". cleveland. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  2. ^ a b c "Bishop Roger William Gries, O.S.B." Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  3. ^ "Bishop Gries | Catholic Diocese of Cleveland | Cleveland, OH". www.dioceseofcleveland.org. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  4. ^ "Bishop Roger (William) Gries, O.S.B". St. Andrew Abbey. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  5. ^ "Disclaimers and Appointments, 01.11.2013". Vatican Press Office. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  6. ^ "Retired prelate, still busy at 81, remains a Benedictine at heart". Legatus. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
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Episcopal succession

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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
-
Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland
2001-2013
Succeeded by