Donald Edmond Pelotte
Encyclopedia
Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
(April 13, 1945 – January 7, 2010) was the third Roman Catholic bishop
of the Diocese of Gallup
, New Mexico
. He was the first person of Native American descent to become a Catholic bishop in the United States; Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
, O.F.M. Cap., is the only active American diocesan bishop of Native American descent. He is also the only known Roman Catholic bishop to have ordained his own twin brother, Father Dana F. Pelotte, SSS, to the priesthood, on September 4, 1999 in their childhood parish of Waterville, Maine
.
, to Norris Albert Pelotte and Margaret Yvonne LaBrie Pelotte. His father was a member of the Abenaki First Nations
tribe
and his mother was of French-Canadian (Québécois
) descent. Donald and his twin brother Dana were the youngest of five brothers. He studied at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park
, New York
during his high school years. He did his college studies John Carroll University
in Cleveland, Ohio
and later completed doctoral studies at Fordham University
. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: John Courtney Murray
, Theologian in Conflict: Roman Catholicism and the American Experience. This was later published in book form by Paulist Press.
At age 33, he became the Provincial Superior
of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
and was the youngest major superior of a religious community of men in the United States at the time. On February 24, 1986, he was named Coadjutor Bishop
of Gallup and was consecrated on May 6, 1986. From 1986 to 2008, Pelotte also served as the Episcopal moderator of the Tekakwitha Conference
, an association of Native American and First Nation Catholics. Upon the retirement of Jerome J. Hastrich
, then Bishop of Gallup on March 31, 1990, Pelotte became the Third Bishop of Gallup.
. According to chancery officials and a police report, Pelotte insisted his injuries resulted from a fall down his home staircase, however his aide speculated that he "looked like he'd been beat up" and that his injuries were more consistent with a brutal assault rather than with a fall down a carpeted stairwell.
On January 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
appointed Thomas J. Olmsted
, Bishop of Phoenix
, as apostolic administrator sede plena
of the diocese of Gallup, and granted Pelotte a one year leave of absence
to continue his recovery.
On April 30, 2008 the Pope
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Gallup, presented by Pelotte, SSS, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Bishop Olmsted continued to govern the diocese as Apostolic Administrator until James S. Wall
was appointed bishop of Gallup and took canonical possession of the Diocese on 23 April 2009.
On Monday, July 8, 2008, KRQE
News Thirteen in Albuquerque investigated the Pelotte case. Pictures that were hidden from the case, indicated that he suffered severe blows to the head, and back, not indicating a fall, but a possible beating. The case was closed, however, and never recalled the situation.
Pelotte was hospitalized in critical condition, with his relatives at his side, on December 30, 2009. He died on January 7, 2010.The Funeral Mass for Bishop Pelotte was held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
in Gallup. Per his wishes, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral.
Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
(April 13, 1945 – January 7, 2010) was the third Roman Catholic bishop
of the Diocese of Gallup
, New Mexico
. He was the first person of Native American descent to become a Catholic bishop in the United States; Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
, O.F.M. Cap., is the only active American diocesan bishop of Native American descent. He is also the only known Roman Catholic bishop to have ordained his own twin brother, Father Dana F. Pelotte, SSS, to the priesthood, on September 4, 1999 in their childhood parish of Waterville, Maine
.
, to Norris Albert Pelotte and Margaret Yvonne LaBrie Pelotte. His father was a member of the Abenaki First Nations
tribe
and his mother was of French-Canadian (Québécois
) descent. Donald and his twin brother Dana were the youngest of five brothers. He studied at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park
, New York
during his high school years. He did his college studies John Carroll University
in Cleveland, Ohio
and later completed doctoral studies at Fordham University
. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: John Courtney Murray
, Theologian in Conflict: Roman Catholicism and the American Experience. This was later published in book form by Paulist Press.
At age 33, he became the Provincial Superior
of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
and was the youngest major superior of a religious community of men in the United States at the time. On February 24, 1986, he was named Coadjutor Bishop
of Gallup and was consecrated on May 6, 1986. From 1986 to 2008, Pelotte also served as the Episcopal moderator of the Tekakwitha Conference
, an association of Native American and First Nation Catholics. Upon the retirement of Jerome J. Hastrich
, then Bishop of Gallup on March 31, 1990, Pelotte became the Third Bishop of Gallup.
. According to chancery officials and a police report, Pelotte insisted his injuries resulted from a fall down his home staircase, however his aide speculated that he "looked like he'd been beat up" and that his injuries were more consistent with a brutal assault rather than with a fall down a carpeted stairwell.
On January 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
appointed Thomas J. Olmsted
, Bishop of Phoenix
, as apostolic administrator sede plena
of the diocese of Gallup, and granted Pelotte a one year leave of absence
to continue his recovery.
On April 30, 2008 the Pope
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Gallup, presented by Pelotte, SSS, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Bishop Olmsted continued to govern the diocese as Apostolic Administrator until James S. Wall
was appointed bishop of Gallup and took canonical possession of the Diocese on 23 April 2009.
On Monday, July 8, 2008, KRQE
News Thirteen in Albuquerque investigated the Pelotte case. Pictures that were hidden from the case, indicated that he suffered severe blows to the head, and back, not indicating a fall, but a possible beating. The case was closed, however, and never recalled the situation.
Pelotte was hospitalized in critical condition, with his relatives at his side, on December 30, 2009. He died on January 7, 2010.The Funeral Mass for Bishop Pelotte was held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
in Gallup. Per his wishes, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral.
Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
(April 13, 1945 – January 7, 2010) was the third Roman Catholic bishop
of the Diocese of Gallup
, New Mexico
. He was the first person of Native American descent to become a Catholic bishop in the United States; Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
, O.F.M. Cap., is the only active American diocesan bishop of Native American descent. He is also the only known Roman Catholic bishop to have ordained his own twin brother, Father Dana F. Pelotte, SSS, to the priesthood, on September 4, 1999 in their childhood parish of Waterville, Maine
.
, to Norris Albert Pelotte and Margaret Yvonne LaBrie Pelotte. His father was a member of the Abenaki First Nations
tribe
and his mother was of French-Canadian (Québécois
) descent. Donald and his twin brother Dana were the youngest of five brothers. He studied at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park
, New York
during his high school years. He did his college studies John Carroll University
in Cleveland, Ohio
and later completed doctoral studies at Fordham University
. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: John Courtney Murray
, Theologian in Conflict: Roman Catholicism and the American Experience. This was later published in book form by Paulist Press.
At age 33, he became the Provincial Superior
of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
and was the youngest major superior of a religious community of men in the United States at the time. On February 24, 1986, he was named Coadjutor Bishop
of Gallup and was consecrated on May 6, 1986. From 1986 to 2008, Pelotte also served as the Episcopal moderator of the Tekakwitha Conference
, an association of Native American and First Nation Catholics. Upon the retirement of Jerome J. Hastrich
, then Bishop of Gallup on March 31, 1990, Pelotte became the Third Bishop of Gallup.
. According to chancery officials and a police report, Pelotte insisted his injuries resulted from a fall down his home staircase, however his aide speculated that he "looked like he'd been beat up" and that his injuries were more consistent with a brutal assault rather than with a fall down a carpeted stairwell.
On January 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
appointed Thomas J. Olmsted
, Bishop of Phoenix
, as apostolic administrator sede plena
of the diocese of Gallup, and granted Pelotte a one year leave of absence
to continue his recovery.
On April 30, 2008 the Pope
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Gallup, presented by Pelotte, SSS, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Bishop Olmsted continued to govern the diocese as Apostolic Administrator until James S. Wall
was appointed bishop of Gallup and took canonical possession of the Diocese on 23 April 2009.
On Monday, July 8, 2008, KRQE
News Thirteen in Albuquerque investigated the Pelotte case. Pictures that were hidden from the case, indicated that he suffered severe blows to the head, and back, not indicating a fall, but a possible beating. The case was closed, however, and never recalled the situation.
Pelotte was hospitalized in critical condition, with his relatives at his side, on December 30, 2009. He died on January 7, 2010.The Funeral Mass for Bishop Pelotte was held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
in Gallup. Per his wishes, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral.
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
(April 13, 1945 – January 7, 2010) was the third Roman Catholic bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Gallup
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southwestern region of the United States, encompassing counties in the states of Arizona and New Mexico and and parts of Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Bernalillo, and Valencia Counties west...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. He was the first person of Native American descent to become a Catholic bishop in the United States; Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
Charles J. Chaput
Charles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving since his installation on September 8, 2011. He previously served as Archbishop of Denver and Bishop of Rapid City .Chaput is a professed Capuchin and...
, O.F.M. Cap., is the only active American diocesan bishop of Native American descent. He is also the only known Roman Catholic bishop to have ordained his own twin brother, Father Dana F. Pelotte, SSS, to the priesthood, on September 4, 1999 in their childhood parish of Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
.
Education
Pelotte was born on April 13, 1945, in Waterville, MaineWaterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
, to Norris Albert Pelotte and Margaret Yvonne LaBrie Pelotte. His father was a member of the Abenaki First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
and his mother was of French-Canadian (Québécois
French-speaking Quebecer
French-speaking Quebecers are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Quebec....
) descent. Donald and his twin brother Dana were the youngest of five brothers. He studied at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, New York
Hyde Park is a town located in the northwest part of Dutchess County, New York, United States, just north of the city of Poughkeepsie. The town is most famous for being the hometown of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
during his high school years. He did his college studies John Carroll University
John Carroll University
John Carroll University is a private, co-educational Jesuit Catholic university in University Heights, Ohio, United States, a suburb of Cleveland. The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus as Saint Ignatius College.The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus, as...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and later completed doctoral studies at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray, , was an American Jesuit priest and theologian, who was especially known for his efforts to reconcile Catholicism and religious pluralism, particularly focusing on the relationship between religious freedom and the institutions of a democratically structured modern...
, Theologian in Conflict: Roman Catholicism and the American Experience. This was later published in book form by Paulist Press.
At age 33, he became the Provincial Superior
Provincial superior
A Provincial Superior is a major superior of a religious order acting under the order's Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of that order in a territorial division of the order called a province--similar to but not to be confused with an ecclesiastical...
of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
and was the youngest major superior of a religious community of men in the United States at the time. On February 24, 1986, he was named Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Gallup and was consecrated on May 6, 1986. From 1986 to 2008, Pelotte also served as the Episcopal moderator of the Tekakwitha Conference
Tekakwitha Conference
The Tekakwitha Conference is a Roman Catholic institution that supports Christian ministry among Native Americans, primarily through its annual meeting.-History:...
, an association of Native American and First Nation Catholics. Upon the retirement of Jerome J. Hastrich
Jerome J. Hastrich
Jerome Joseph Hastrich was the second bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup, in Gallup, New Mexico....
, then Bishop of Gallup on March 31, 1990, Pelotte became the Third Bishop of Gallup.
Later life
Pelotte was seriously injured in his Gallup home on July 23, 2007, including a traumatic brain injuryTraumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
. According to chancery officials and a police report, Pelotte insisted his injuries resulted from a fall down his home staircase, however his aide speculated that he "looked like he'd been beat up" and that his injuries were more consistent with a brutal assault rather than with a fall down a carpeted stairwell.
On January 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas Olmsted is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the fourth and current Bishop of Phoenix, having previously served as Bishop of Wichita from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:...
, Bishop of Phoenix
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
-History:The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was established on December 2, 1969 when it was split off of the Diocese of Tucson...
, as apostolic administrator sede plena
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
of the diocese of Gallup, and granted Pelotte a one year leave of absence
Leave of absence
Leave of absence is a term used to describe a period of time that one is to be away from his/her primary job, while maintaining the status of employee...
to continue his recovery.
On April 30, 2008 the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Gallup, presented by Pelotte, SSS, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Bishop Olmsted continued to govern the diocese as Apostolic Administrator until James S. Wall
James S. Wall
James Sean Wall is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Bishop of Gallup.-Early life and education:...
was appointed bishop of Gallup and took canonical possession of the Diocese on 23 April 2009.
On Monday, July 8, 2008, KRQE
KRQE
KRQE, digital channel 13, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving the Albuquerque, New Mexico television market; the station is owned by LIN TV Corporation and is sister station to Fox affiliate KASA-TV...
News Thirteen in Albuquerque investigated the Pelotte case. Pictures that were hidden from the case, indicated that he suffered severe blows to the head, and back, not indicating a fall, but a possible beating. The case was closed, however, and never recalled the situation.
Pelotte was hospitalized in critical condition, with his relatives at his side, on December 30, 2009. He died on January 7, 2010.The Funeral Mass for Bishop Pelotte was held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral may refer to:in Australia*Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Victoria, Australiain Bosnia and Herzegovina* Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, Sarajevoin Canada...
in Gallup. Per his wishes, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral.
Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
(April 13, 1945 – January 7, 2010) was the third Roman Catholic bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Gallup
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southwestern region of the United States, encompassing counties in the states of Arizona and New Mexico and and parts of Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Bernalillo, and Valencia Counties west...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. He was the first person of Native American descent to become a Catholic bishop in the United States; Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
Charles J. Chaput
Charles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving since his installation on September 8, 2011. He previously served as Archbishop of Denver and Bishop of Rapid City .Chaput is a professed Capuchin and...
, O.F.M. Cap., is the only active American diocesan bishop of Native American descent. He is also the only known Roman Catholic bishop to have ordained his own twin brother, Father Dana F. Pelotte, SSS, to the priesthood, on September 4, 1999 in their childhood parish of Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
.
Education
Pelotte was born on April 13, 1945, in Waterville, MaineWaterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
, to Norris Albert Pelotte and Margaret Yvonne LaBrie Pelotte. His father was a member of the Abenaki First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
and his mother was of French-Canadian (Québécois
French-speaking Quebecer
French-speaking Quebecers are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Quebec....
) descent. Donald and his twin brother Dana were the youngest of five brothers. He studied at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, New York
Hyde Park is a town located in the northwest part of Dutchess County, New York, United States, just north of the city of Poughkeepsie. The town is most famous for being the hometown of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
during his high school years. He did his college studies John Carroll University
John Carroll University
John Carroll University is a private, co-educational Jesuit Catholic university in University Heights, Ohio, United States, a suburb of Cleveland. The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus as Saint Ignatius College.The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus, as...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and later completed doctoral studies at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray, , was an American Jesuit priest and theologian, who was especially known for his efforts to reconcile Catholicism and religious pluralism, particularly focusing on the relationship between religious freedom and the institutions of a democratically structured modern...
, Theologian in Conflict: Roman Catholicism and the American Experience. This was later published in book form by Paulist Press.
At age 33, he became the Provincial Superior
Provincial superior
A Provincial Superior is a major superior of a religious order acting under the order's Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of that order in a territorial division of the order called a province--similar to but not to be confused with an ecclesiastical...
of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
and was the youngest major superior of a religious community of men in the United States at the time. On February 24, 1986, he was named Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Gallup and was consecrated on May 6, 1986. From 1986 to 2008, Pelotte also served as the Episcopal moderator of the Tekakwitha Conference
Tekakwitha Conference
The Tekakwitha Conference is a Roman Catholic institution that supports Christian ministry among Native Americans, primarily through its annual meeting.-History:...
, an association of Native American and First Nation Catholics. Upon the retirement of Jerome J. Hastrich
Jerome J. Hastrich
Jerome Joseph Hastrich was the second bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup, in Gallup, New Mexico....
, then Bishop of Gallup on March 31, 1990, Pelotte became the Third Bishop of Gallup.
Later life
Pelotte was seriously injured in his Gallup home on July 23, 2007, including a traumatic brain injuryTraumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
. According to chancery officials and a police report, Pelotte insisted his injuries resulted from a fall down his home staircase, however his aide speculated that he "looked like he'd been beat up" and that his injuries were more consistent with a brutal assault rather than with a fall down a carpeted stairwell.
On January 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas Olmsted is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the fourth and current Bishop of Phoenix, having previously served as Bishop of Wichita from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:...
, Bishop of Phoenix
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
-History:The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was established on December 2, 1969 when it was split off of the Diocese of Tucson...
, as apostolic administrator sede plena
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
of the diocese of Gallup, and granted Pelotte a one year leave of absence
Leave of absence
Leave of absence is a term used to describe a period of time that one is to be away from his/her primary job, while maintaining the status of employee...
to continue his recovery.
On April 30, 2008 the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Gallup, presented by Pelotte, SSS, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Bishop Olmsted continued to govern the diocese as Apostolic Administrator until James S. Wall
James S. Wall
James Sean Wall is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Bishop of Gallup.-Early life and education:...
was appointed bishop of Gallup and took canonical possession of the Diocese on 23 April 2009.
On Monday, July 8, 2008, KRQE
KRQE
KRQE, digital channel 13, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving the Albuquerque, New Mexico television market; the station is owned by LIN TV Corporation and is sister station to Fox affiliate KASA-TV...
News Thirteen in Albuquerque investigated the Pelotte case. Pictures that were hidden from the case, indicated that he suffered severe blows to the head, and back, not indicating a fall, but a possible beating. The case was closed, however, and never recalled the situation.
Pelotte was hospitalized in critical condition, with his relatives at his side, on December 30, 2009. He died on January 7, 2010.The Funeral Mass for Bishop Pelotte was held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral may refer to:in Australia*Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Victoria, Australiain Bosnia and Herzegovina* Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, Sarajevoin Canada...
in Gallup. Per his wishes, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral.
Donald E. Pelotte, SSS
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
(April 13, 1945 – January 7, 2010) was the third Roman Catholic bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Gallup
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southwestern region of the United States, encompassing counties in the states of Arizona and New Mexico and and parts of Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Bernalillo, and Valencia Counties west...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. He was the first person of Native American descent to become a Catholic bishop in the United States; Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
Charles J. Chaput
Charles Joseph Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He is the ninth and current Archbishop of Philadelphia, serving since his installation on September 8, 2011. He previously served as Archbishop of Denver and Bishop of Rapid City .Chaput is a professed Capuchin and...
, O.F.M. Cap., is the only active American diocesan bishop of Native American descent. He is also the only known Roman Catholic bishop to have ordained his own twin brother, Father Dana F. Pelotte, SSS, to the priesthood, on September 4, 1999 in their childhood parish of Waterville, Maine
Waterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
.
Education
Pelotte was born on April 13, 1945, in Waterville, MaineWaterville, Maine
Waterville is a city in Kennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The population was 15,722 at the 2010 census. Home to Colby College and Thomas College, Waterville is the regional commercial, medical and cultural center....
, to Norris Albert Pelotte and Margaret Yvonne LaBrie Pelotte. His father was a member of the Abenaki First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
and his mother was of French-Canadian (Québécois
French-speaking Quebecer
French-speaking Quebecers are francophone residents of the Canadian province of Quebec....
) descent. Donald and his twin brother Dana were the youngest of five brothers. He studied at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park
Hyde Park, New York
Hyde Park is a town located in the northwest part of Dutchess County, New York, United States, just north of the city of Poughkeepsie. The town is most famous for being the hometown of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt....
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
during his high school years. He did his college studies John Carroll University
John Carroll University
John Carroll University is a private, co-educational Jesuit Catholic university in University Heights, Ohio, United States, a suburb of Cleveland. The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus as Saint Ignatius College.The university was founded in 1886 by the Society of Jesus, as...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and later completed doctoral studies at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray
John Courtney Murray, , was an American Jesuit priest and theologian, who was especially known for his efforts to reconcile Catholicism and religious pluralism, particularly focusing on the relationship between religious freedom and the institutions of a democratically structured modern...
, Theologian in Conflict: Roman Catholicism and the American Experience. This was later published in book form by Paulist Press.
At age 33, he became the Provincial Superior
Provincial superior
A Provincial Superior is a major superior of a religious order acting under the order's Superior General and exercising a general supervision over all the members of that order in a territorial division of the order called a province--similar to but not to be confused with an ecclesiastical...
of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament
The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is a Catholic religious congregation of priests, deacons, and Brothers whose ideal of life is to become living witnesses of the Eucharist, the source and summit of Christian life. By their life and activities, they assist the Church in her efforts to form...
and was the youngest major superior of a religious community of men in the United States at the time. On February 24, 1986, he was named Coadjutor Bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
of Gallup and was consecrated on May 6, 1986. From 1986 to 2008, Pelotte also served as the Episcopal moderator of the Tekakwitha Conference
Tekakwitha Conference
The Tekakwitha Conference is a Roman Catholic institution that supports Christian ministry among Native Americans, primarily through its annual meeting.-History:...
, an association of Native American and First Nation Catholics. Upon the retirement of Jerome J. Hastrich
Jerome J. Hastrich
Jerome Joseph Hastrich was the second bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup, in Gallup, New Mexico....
, then Bishop of Gallup on March 31, 1990, Pelotte became the Third Bishop of Gallup.
Later life
Pelotte was seriously injured in his Gallup home on July 23, 2007, including a traumatic brain injuryTraumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
. According to chancery officials and a police report, Pelotte insisted his injuries resulted from a fall down his home staircase, however his aide speculated that he "looked like he'd been beat up" and that his injuries were more consistent with a brutal assault rather than with a fall down a carpeted stairwell.
On January 3, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
appointed Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas Olmsted is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the fourth and current Bishop of Phoenix, having previously served as Bishop of Wichita from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:...
, Bishop of Phoenix
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
-History:The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was established on December 2, 1969 when it was split off of the Diocese of Tucson...
, as apostolic administrator sede plena
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
of the diocese of Gallup, and granted Pelotte a one year leave of absence
Leave of absence
Leave of absence is a term used to describe a period of time that one is to be away from his/her primary job, while maintaining the status of employee...
to continue his recovery.
On April 30, 2008 the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
Benedict XVI accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Gallup, presented by Pelotte, SSS, in accordance with canon 401 § 2 of the Code of Canon Law. Bishop Olmsted continued to govern the diocese as Apostolic Administrator until James S. Wall
James S. Wall
James Sean Wall is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Bishop of Gallup.-Early life and education:...
was appointed bishop of Gallup and took canonical possession of the Diocese on 23 April 2009.
On Monday, July 8, 2008, KRQE
KRQE
KRQE, digital channel 13, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving the Albuquerque, New Mexico television market; the station is owned by LIN TV Corporation and is sister station to Fox affiliate KASA-TV...
News Thirteen in Albuquerque investigated the Pelotte case. Pictures that were hidden from the case, indicated that he suffered severe blows to the head, and back, not indicating a fall, but a possible beating. The case was closed, however, and never recalled the situation.
Pelotte was hospitalized in critical condition, with his relatives at his side, on December 30, 2009. He died on January 7, 2010.The Funeral Mass for Bishop Pelotte was held on Thursday, January 14, 2010, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Cathedral may refer to:in Australia*Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, Victoria, Australiain Bosnia and Herzegovina* Cathedral of Jesus' Heart, Sarajevoin Canada...
in Gallup. Per his wishes, he was buried in the crypt of the Cathedral.