Francis Frederick Reh

Francis Frederick Reh (January 9, 1911 – November 14, 1994) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Charleston in South Carolina from 1962 to 1964.

Reh previously served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 1964 to 1968, and as bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan from 1968 to 1980.

Life and career

Early life One of two children, Francis Reh was born on January 9, 1911, in the Bronx, New York, to Gustave and Elizabeth (née Hartnagel) Reh. His father worked as a truant officer for the New York City Board of Education. He earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1936 and a Doctor of Canon Law degree summa cum laude in 1939 in Rome from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

After returning to New York City in 1939, Reh served as assistant chancellor of the archdiocese and associate pastor at St. Patrick's Cathedral Parish for two years.

In 1954, Reh was named a papal chamberlain by Pope Pius XII and vice-rector at the North American College in Rome.

Between 1962 and 1965, Reh attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome.

Rector of the North American College On September 5, 1964, Reh was named to succeed Bishop Martin O'Connor as rector of the North American College. He was appointed titular bishop of Macriana in Mauretania on the same date.

Retirement On April 29, 1980, Pope John Paul II accepted Reh's resignation as bishop of Saginaw. He was succeeded by the Reverend Kenneth Untener. Reh died in Saginaw on October 14, 1994, at age 83.