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Paul Vincent Dudley

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His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Paul Vincent Dudley
Bishop of Sioux Falls
DioceseDiocese of Sioux Falls
AppointedNovember 6, 1978
InstalledDecember 13, 1978
Term endedMarch 21, 1995
PredecessorLambert Anthony Hoch
SuccessorRobert James Carlson
Other postsTitular Bishop of Ursona, Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Orders
OrdinationJune 2, 1951
by John Gregory Murray
ConsecrationJanuary 25, 1977
by John Roach (bishop), Leo Binz and James Richard Ham
Personal details
Born(1926-11-29)November 29, 1926
Northfield, Minnesota, US
DiedNovember 20, 2006(2006-11-20) (aged 79)
St. Paul, Minnesota, US
BuriedCalvary Cemetery, Northfield, Minnesota, US
EducationSt. Paul Seminary
MottoAdjuva me domine
(Help me, Lord)

Paul Vincent Dudley (November 29, 1926 – November 20, 2006) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Sioux Falls in South Dakota from 1978 to 1995. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota from 1977 to 1978.

Biography

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Early life

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Paul Dudley was born on November 29, 1926, in Northfield, Minnesota, the tenth child of Edward Austin and Margaret Ann (née Nolan) Dudley.[1] He studied at Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary in Arden Hills, Minnesota, and St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul.

Priesthood

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Dudley was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul on June 2, 1951 at Cathedral of Saint Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota by Archbishop John Gregory Murray.[2] After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Dudley as a curate at Annunciation Parish in Minneapolis. He was transferred in 1964 to St. Patrick Parish in St. Paul.[3] Dudley became the founding pastor of St. Edward Parish at Bloomington, Minnesota, in 1967, and pastor of Our Lady of the Lake Church at Mound, Minnesota, in 1972.[3]

Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul Minneapolis

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On November 9, 1976, Dudley was appointed auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis and Titular Bishop of Ursona by Pope Paul VI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on January 25, 1977, from Archbishop John Roach, with Archbishop Leo Binz and Bishop James Richard Ham, M.M., serving as co-consecrators, at the Basilica of St. Mary.[2] In addition to his episcopal duties, he served as pastor of St. James Church at St. Paul from 1977 to 1978.[3]

Bishop of Sioux Falls

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Following the resignation of Bishop Lambert Anthony Hoch, Dudley was named the sixth bishop of Sioux Falls by Pope John Paul II on November 6, 1978.[2] He was the first U.S. appointment of John Paul II, who had been elected that October. Dudley was later installed on December 13, 1978.[2]

During his tenure in Sioux Falls, Dudley developed several ecumenical ministries serving the poor, and fostered many retreat and spiritual renewal programs.[3] He was active in such anti-abortion organizations as Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, Total Life Care, and Prolife Across America.[1] He also served as episcopal moderator for Worldwide Marriage Encounter and for Teens Encounter Christ.[3] He was described as "a holy man" and "a true shepherd."[4]

Retirement and legacy

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After sixteen years, Dudley resigned as bishop of Sioux Falls on March 21, 1995.[2] He retired to the family farm in Northfield, and there served as pastor of St. Dominic Parish (1995–1997).[1]

In 1999, Dudley was accused of sexually abusing two women in the 1960s and 1970s.[5][6] However, the charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence.[5] In 2002 he was accused of molesting an 11- or 12-year-old altar boy on four occasions during the 1950s.[5][7][8] Following this accusation, he declared, "I totally deny these allegations. They are brutally unfounded."[5] He also decided to withdraw from "any priestly ministry" pending the conclusion of an investigation "due to the great publicity given to priests and bishops accused of sexual abuse."[5] An independent investigator hired by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis cleared the complaints against Dudley.[9][6] He stated, "While living under the cloud of these accusations has been one of the greatest challenges of my life, I never lost faith and confidence that the truth would prevail."[9]

Dudley was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award by St. Paul Seminary in 2006.[10] He died on November 20, 2006, from pulmonary disease at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul at age 79.[1] He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Northfield.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Dudley, Bishop Paul V." Northfield.org. 2006-11-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Bishop Paul Vincent Dudley". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Bishop Paul V. Dudley" (PDF). The Bishop's Bulletin. January 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
  4. ^ Callison, Jill (2006-11-22). "Beloved Former Bishop Dies at 79". Argus Leader.
  5. ^ a b c d e Kumar, Kavita (2002-05-08). "Retired Bishop Accused of Abuse". Star Tribune.
  6. ^ a b Wolfe, Warren (2003-02-13). "No Proof of Abuse Is Found against Bishop". Star Tribune.
  7. ^ Scott, Stephen (2002-05-08). "Minnesota Man Accused Retired Bishop of Abuse". St. Paul Pioneer Press.
  8. ^ Williams, Lee (2002-05-08). "Church Investigates Claim against Dudley". Argus Leader.
  9. ^ a b Grant, Ashley H. (2003-02-12). "Church Probe Says Evidence Doesn't Support Allegation against Retired Bishop". Associated Press.
  10. ^ "Distinguished Alumni Award (2006)". University of St. Thomas. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16.
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