Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh Appointed as Catholic Charities USA's New Episcopal Liaison

Cardinal Dolan taps leader with "great experience as a bishop and pastor"

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), the national representatives of over 160 local Catholic Charities agencies across the country, announced today that the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been appointed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the organization's new episcopal liaison.

"Anyone who has met Bishop Zubik knows him to be a man of great faith who will be a significant contributor to our movement," said Father Larry Snyder, CCUSA President. "I look forward to his presence and guidance as we continue to live out Our Lord's call to service and justice in communities across the country."

Cardinal Dolan, acting in his role of President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, appointed Bishop Zubik to take the place of the Most Reverend Michael Driscoll, bishop of the Diocese of Boise, Idaho, who retired as CCUSA's episcopal liaison earlier this year, after years of service building strong partnerships with other Catholic organizations and support for the Catholic Charities movement across the nation. He received the organization's Vision Award in September, recognizing his lifelong commitment to serving others and sharing the love of Christ with our brothers and sisters in need.

"Bishop Zubik has consistently offered excellent service to the Conference," Cardinal Dolan wrote in a letter announcing the appointment, noting the dedicated efforts of Catholic Charities agencies in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. "These factors, together with the great experience as a bishop and pastor that Bishop Zubik brings, will assure a successful tenure as Episcopal Liaison."

A native of Sewickley, Pa., the Most Reverend David A. Zubik was installed as the twelfth Bishop of Pittsburgh on September 28, 2007, becoming the fifth native son to lead the diocese. He received an undergraduate degree from Duquesne University in 1971 and continued his studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he earned a degree in theology. He earned a master's degree in education administration from Duquesne University in 1982.

After his ordination in 1975, he served as a parish priest, a vice-principal of a Catholic high school, and the chaplain to religious orders before being selected to serve in a wide number of diocesan positions.  On April 6, 1997, he was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh and Titular Bishop of Jamestown, North Dakota, and six years later was named the eleventh Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay on October 10, 2003 by Pope John Paul II.

About Catholic Charities USA
Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the national office for Catholic Charities agencies nationwide. Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 10 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. To learn more about CCUSA, please visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA