Philadelphia Auxiliary Joseph R. Cistone named as the 6th Bishop of Saginaw

The new leader will be introduced at a 9:00 a.m. press conference,
taken on tour of the Tri-Cities, participate in evening prayer

SAGINAW – Pope Benedict XVI announced today that he has selected Bishop Joseph R. Cistone as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw.

The new bishop of Saginaw will be introduced at a 9:00 a.m. press conference at the Center for Ministry, 5802 Weiss St., in Saginaw Township.

Following the press conference, Bishop Cistone will make a tour of the Tri-Cities. Each of the following stops are open to the public (times are approximate):

g 10:30 a.m.: Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, 615 Hoyt Ave., Saginaw

g 2:00 p.m.: St. James Parish (Langley Hall), 710 Columbus Ave., Bay City

g 3:00 p.m.: Blessed Sacrament Parish and School, 3109 Swede Ave., Midland

g 5:00 p.m.: Vespers (Evening Prayer) at Holy Spirit Parish, 1035 N. River Rd., Shields

Cistone, 60, has served as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 2004. His installation in Saginaw is scheduled for July 28, the fifth anniversary of his Episcopal ordination.

Joseph Robert Cistone was born on May 18, 1949 in Philadelphia, son of Josephine R. (Altomare) and Daniel A. Cistone Sr. He has two brothers, Daniel and Anthony.

He attended Our Lady of Consolation School and Father Judge High School in Philadelphia before entering St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook, Penn., where he earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1971 and Master of Divinity degree in 1975.

Father Cistone was ordained to the priesthood on May 17, 1975 by Cardinal John J. Krol. In 1998, he was named as an honorary prelate to Pope John Paul II, giving him the title of monsignor.

Monsignor Cistone was appointed by Pope John Paul II as an auxiliary bishop for Philadelphia in 2004. He was consecrated as a bishop by Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, Bishop Robert P. Maginnis and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge on July 28, 2004.

Bishop Cistone has served as vicar general and vicar for administration for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia since 1998. His previous assignments have included Dean of Formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Newman Chaplain at the Delaware Valley College of Science, and several parish assignments and administrative positions within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

As a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Cistone serves on the USCCB Committee for Protection of Children and Young People, USCCB Committee for Cultural Diversity in the Church and Subcommittee for African-American Affairs, and the USCCB Committee on Budget and Finance.

The Diocese of Saginaw was established in 1938 by Pope Pius XI. Its previous ordinaries are Bishop William F. Murphy (1938 – 1950), Bishop Stephen S. Woznicki (1950 – 1968), Bishop Francis F. Reh (1968 – 1980), Bishop Kenneth E. Untener (1980 – 2004) and Bishop Robert J. Carlson (2004 – 2009), who was named Archbishop of Saint Louis, Mo., on April 21.

The Diocese of Saginaw is home to an estimated 119,000 Catholics worshiping in 105 parish communities throughout Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties.