Gilbert Ignatius Sheldon
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Ignatius Sheldon (born September 20, 1926) is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He was the third Bishop of Steubenville
between 1992 and 2002, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop
of the Diocese of Cleveland
from 1976 to 1992.
, one of 12 children of Ignatius Peter and Stephania Josephine (née Olszewski) Sheldon. He received his early education at the parochial school
of St. Phillip Neri Church, and then attended Cathedral Latin High School
. He studied at John Carroll University
before beginning his studies for the priesthood
at St. Mary's Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, where he earned a Master of Divinity
degree. He also earned a Doctor of Ministry
degree from the Ohio Consortium of Seminaries.
a priest by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban
on February 28, 1953. Between 1953 and 1964, he served as an associate pastor
at St. Rose's Church in Cleveland, St. Clare's Church in Lyndhurst
, and SS. Philip and James Church in Cleveland. He was diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith
from 1964 to 1974.
From 1974 to 1976, Sheldon served as pastor
of Sacred Heart Church in Oberlin
and episcopal vicar
of Lorain County
. He also served as chaplain
at Magnificat High School
, for Serra West, and of the West Park Knights of Columbus
. He was a notary and prosynodal judge for the diocesan tribunal, instructor at St. John's College
, and member of the Board of Trustess for St. Mary's Seminary and for Borromeo College.
of Cleveland and Titular Bishop
of Taparura by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following June 11 from Bishop James A. Hickey, with Archbishop Joseph Bernardin and Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann
serving as co-consecrators
. As an auxiliary bishop, he was named vicar for Marriage and Family Concerns (1976) and vicar of Summit County
(1978). In 1979, he became vicar of the Southern Region of the diocese, including Summit, Medina, Wayne
, and Ashland Counties
.
Sheldon was director of missions when the Diocese of Cleveland became the only Catholic diocese in the United States to sponsor a mission in El Salvador
. That mission gained notice in the early 1980s when members of the Salvadoran National Guard
abducted, raped, and killed two of its female members, Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan, as well as two nuns from New York
. Sheldon faced public controversy in 1984 when he asserted authority over the Bread of Life Community, a religious group which was accused of cult
like practices. After an investigation, he chastised the group for unequal treatment of female members and for its doctrines; the group's official ecclesiastical authorization was withdrawn in 1985.
by Pope John Paul II
. As bishop, he presided over the newest and most sparsely populated of Ohio's six Catholic dioceses.
, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He was the third Bishop of Steubenville
Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville is a Roman Catholic diocese covering thirteen counties in Ohio. The diocese was erected by Pope Pius XII on October 21, 1944 out of territory from the Diocese of Columbus....
between 1992 and 2002, having previously served as an auxiliary bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of the Diocese of Cleveland
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is a Roman Catholic diocese in Ohio. It was erected on April 23, 1847 by Pope Pius IX. The diocese lost territory in 1910 when the Diocese of Toledo was erected by Pope Pius X, and in 1943 when the Diocese of Youngstown was erected by Pope Pius XII...
from 1976 to 1992.
Early life and education
Sheldon was born in Cleveland, OhioOhio
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...
, one of 12 children of Ignatius Peter and Stephania Josephine (née Olszewski) Sheldon. He received his early education at the parochial school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
of St. Phillip Neri Church, and then attended Cathedral Latin High School
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin is a coeducational, Catholic high school in Chardon, Ohio, sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame. It is a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.-Background:...
. He studied at 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...
before beginning his studies for the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
at St. Mary's Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, where he earned a Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
degree. He also earned a Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
The Doctor of Ministry degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada , a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the...
degree from the Ohio Consortium of Seminaries.
Priesthood
Sheldon was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a priest by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban
Edward Francis Hoban
Edward Francis Hoban was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Rockford and Bishop of Cleveland .-Biography:...
on February 28, 1953. Between 1953 and 1964, he served as an associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Rose's Church in Cleveland, St. Clare's Church in Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,279 people, 6,642 households, and 4,397 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,480.1 people per square mile . There were 6,855 housing units at an average density of 1,561.4 per square mile...
, and SS. Philip and James Church in Cleveland. He was diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith
Society for the Propagation of the Faith
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is an international association for the assistance by prayers and alms of Catholic missionary priests, brothers, and nuns engaged in preaching the Gospel in non-Catholic countries...
from 1964 to 1974.
From 1974 to 1976, Sheldon served as pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Sacred Heart Church in Oberlin
Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, to the south and west of Cleveland. Oberlin is perhaps best known for being the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students...
and episcopal vicar
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of Lorain County
Lorain County, Ohio
Lorain County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio, and is considered to be a part of what is locally referred to as Greater Cleveland. As of the 2010 census, its population was 301,356. an increase from 284,664 in 2000...
. He also served as chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
at Magnificat High School
Magnificat High School
Magnificat High School is a Catholic all-girls college preparatory high school located in Rocky River, Ohio, a residential suburb west of Cleveland, Ohio. It was founded in 1955 and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary...
, for Serra West, and of the West Park Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
. He was a notary and prosynodal judge for the diocesan tribunal, instructor at St. John's College
St. John's College, Cleveland
St. John's College in Cleveland, Ohio, originally known as Sisters' College, was a school for teachers and nurses established in 1928 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. In fall 1974, enrollment included 619 women and 51 men. The school closed in 1975. The facilities were then merged with...
, and member of the Board of Trustess for St. Mary's Seminary and for Borromeo College.
Cleveland
On April 12, 1976, Sheldon was appointed Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Cleveland and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Taparura by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following June 11 from Bishop James A. Hickey, with Archbishop Joseph Bernardin and Bishop Clarence G. Issenmann
Clarence George Issenmann
Clarence George Issenmann was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Cleveland from 1966 to 1974.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. As an auxiliary bishop, he was named vicar for Marriage and Family Concerns (1976) and vicar of Summit County
Summit County, Ohio
Summit County is an urban county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 542,899. In the 2010 Census the population was 541,781. Its county seat is Akron...
(1978). In 1979, he became vicar of the Southern Region of the diocese, including Summit, Medina, Wayne
Wayne County, Ohio
Wayne County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States, and is named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. As of the 2010 census, the population was 114,520. Its county seat is Wooster....
, and Ashland Counties
Ashland County, Ohio
Ashland County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States, and was formed in 1846 from parts of Huron, Lorain, Richland and Wayne Counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 53,139. Its county seat is Ashland...
.
Sheldon was director of missions when the Diocese of Cleveland became the only Catholic diocese in the United States to sponsor a mission in El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
. That mission gained notice in the early 1980s when members of the Salvadoran National Guard
National Guard (El Salvador)
The Guardia Nacional of El Salvador was the Salvadoran gendarmerie. It was founded in 1912 by President Dr. Manuel Enrique Araujo. As agreed in the Chapultepec Peace Accords, it was disbanded on 16 January 1992...
abducted, raped, and killed two of its female members, Sister Dorothy Kazel and lay missionary Jean Donovan, as well as two nuns from 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...
. Sheldon faced public controversy in 1984 when he asserted authority over the Bread of Life Community, a religious group which was accused of cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
like practices. After an investigation, he chastised the group for unequal treatment of female members and for its doctrines; the group's official ecclesiastical authorization was withdrawn in 1985.
Steubenville
On January 28, 1992, Sheldon was appointed the Bishop of SteubenvilleRoman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville is a Roman Catholic diocese covering thirteen counties in Ohio. The diocese was erected by Pope Pius XII on October 21, 1944 out of territory from the Diocese of Columbus....
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. As bishop, he presided over the newest and most sparsely populated of Ohio's six Catholic dioceses.
Later life
After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Sheldon resigned as Bishop of Steubenville on May 31, 2002. He was succeeded by Father Robert Daniel ConlonRobert Daniel Conlon
Robert Daniel Conlon is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet-in-Illinois, after having served from August 6, 2002 until May 17, 2011 as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Steubenville, Ohio...
, a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati covers the southwest region of the U.S. state of Ohio, including the greater Cincinnati and Dayton metropolitan areas. The Archbishop of Cincinnati is Most Rev...
.