This morning, Pope Benedict XVI named Fr. William Waltersheid, Secretary for Clergy and the Consecrated Life in the Diocese of Harrisburg, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Here’s part of a news release on Bishop-elect Waltersheid released by the Diocese of Pittsburgh:

Bishop-elect William Waltersheid | Source: Republican Herald

William John Waltersheid was born in 1956 in Ashland, PA. He is the son of the late William F. and Margaret M. (Deane) Waltersheid.

Baptized in St. Joseph Church in Locust Gap, he spent his childhood and early adult years there. After graduating high school in 1974, he worked in the health care field and graduated from the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing in 1983.

In 1985, he was accepted as a candidate for the seminary formation program of the Diocese of Harrisburg. He studied at St. John Seminary College in Brighton, Massachusetts and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in philosophy and classical languages.

In 1988, he was sent by Bishop William H. Keeler of Harrisburg to the Pontifical North American College in Rome for continued formation for the priesthood. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology in 1991 from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology from that same university.

He was ordained a priest in Harrisburg on July 11, 1992 by Bishop Nicholas C. Dattilo. He remained in Rome for further studies until 1995 when he returned to the Diocese of Harrisburg and was assigned as parochial vicar at Prince of Peace Parish in Steelton.

In 1999, Father Waltersheid returned to Rome and served on the faculty of the Pontifical North American College until 2003. He served for one year as Director of Apostolic Works and then for three years as Vice Rector of the seminary.

In June of 2003, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Carlisle. In June of 2006, he was appointed Diocesan Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades.

Among his other duties in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Father Waltersheid serves on the Presbyteral Council, the Priests’ Personnel Board, the Deacons’ Council, the Sisters’ Council, and as Censor Librorum.

In 2006, Father Waltersheid served in the Apostolic Visitation of Seminaries. He is the chairperson of the Ethics Committee Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, and serves on the Board of Directors.

An avid reader, he is a student of foreign languages and folk music from different countries.

Source: Diocese of Pittsburgh