Leroy Matthiesen was a theologian

Theology

Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...

, political and social activist, and the retired 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 Amarillo, Texas.

Matthiesen was born in Olfen, Texas. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 10, 1946. On March 18, 1980, Matthisen was appointed bishop and he was ordained on May 30, 1980. He retired on June 21, 1997.

He was notable for pursuing controversial causes within the concerns of Catholicism, including a stay of execution

Capital punishment

Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...

 for the killer of a nun

Nun

A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...

, and providing sacramental duties for homosexuals, as well as for influencing the resignation of Catholic workers at the Pantex

Pantex

The Pantex plant is America's only nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility and is charged with maintaining the safety, security and reliability of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. The facility is located on a 16,000 acre site 17 miles northeast of Amarillo, in Carson County,...

 plant in the 1980s. Matthiesen has been in the news recently

May 2004

May 2004: January – February – March – April – May – June – July – August – September – October – November – December-Events:...

 for advocating increased benefits for certain former priests from his diocese

Diocese

A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...

, that have been defrocked due to allegations of sexual misconduct.

Facing budget cuts, recently the Amarillo diocese slashed the stipend payments for ousted priests from $1600 to $100 USD. Reacting on what he considers a moral obligation, Matthiesen seeks to provide aid to three priests, Dennis Boylan, John Salazar, and Jim Hutzler.

He has shared a speaking stage with Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel

Sir Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel KBE; born September 30, 1928) is a Hungarian-born Jewish-American writer, professor, political activist, Nobel Laureate, and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, including Night, a work based on his experiences as a prisoner in the Auschwitz, Buna, and...

, and appeared on the cover of Life Magazine.

He won the 2009 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace Award.