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  Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, Sss, Passes Away

Roman Catholic Diocese of Gallup
January 8, 2010

http://www.dioceseofgallup.org/pelotterelease.php



Vigil and Funeral Mass to be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, New Mexico.

Gallup (Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010) – Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, SSS, (age 64)—bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Gallup—peacefully passed away this morning at 7:45 a.m. (Mountain Time). On December 27, 2009, he was admitted to a critical care unit at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and never recovered from his illness.

Nation’s First Native American Bishop

Bishop Pelotte—the first Native American bishop in the United States—was born on April 13, 1945, in Waterville, Maine, and professed religious vows in the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament on August 22, 1967. He was ordained a priest on September 2, 1972, by Bishop Edward O’Leary of the Diocese of Portland, Maine.

After receiving his high school education at Eymard Seminary in Hyde Park, New York, Bishop Pelotte attended Cleveland’s John Carroll University, receiving a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1969. He received a doctorate in theology from Fordham University in 1975.

While he was provincial of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Bishop Pelotte was—at 33 years of age—the youngest major superior of a men’s religious community in the United States.

On February 24, 1986, Bishop Pelotte—at the age of 40—was appointed by Pope John Paul II as coadjutor bishop of Gallup and was ordained at Red Rock State Park on May 6, 1986. He became the third bishop of the Diocese of Gallup, succeeding Bishop Jerome J. Hastrich, on March 31, 1990. On April 30, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Pelotte’s resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Gallup.

Since 1981, Bishop Pelotte had been a national board member of the Tekakwitha Conference—an organization for Native American Catholics—and was a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the American Catholic Historical Society.

Bishop Pelotte ordained his twin brother, Father Dana Pelotte, SSS, on September 4, 1999, at their hometown parish in Waterville, Maine, marking the first time in known Catholic history where a bishop did so.

Throughout Bishop Pelotte’s 22 years of ministry in the Diocese of Gallup, his efforts concentrated on building the Church among Native American peoples around the country. He developed training programs for Native American deacons and lay ministers. The bishop chaired the Western Health Foundation, leading to the expansion of Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital. Bishop Pelotte also fought to keep Casa San Martin open to serve Gallup’s homeless population.

During his tenure as bishop, he was awarded two honorary doctorates and numerous other honors.

Bishop James Wall Statement

Bishop James S. Wall, current bishop of the Diocese of Gallup, provided this statement after learning about Bishop Pelotte’s passing:

“We are saddened by the passing of Bishop Donald Pelotte, who so faithfully served the Church throughout his life—especially as the third bishop of the Diocese of Gallup. Bishop Pelotte, being the first Native American bishop, had a great love for the Native American people—and his spirit of service will continue to live on. Our hearts and prayers go out to all who mourn, including his two brothers, Father Dana Pelotte, SSS, and Mr. Roger Pelotte.

During this difficult time, we look to our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life—and we pray for the repose of the soul of our brother, Donald, and for the comfort and consolation of his family members.”

Vigil and Funeral Mass

The Vigil prayer service for Bishop Donald E. Pelotte, SSS, will be held on Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, January 14 at 11:00 a.m. Both liturgies will take place in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Gallup, New Mexico. As were his wishes, he is to be buried in the crypt of the cathedral at the conclusion of the liturgy.

 
 

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