Harry Anselm Clinch

Harry Anselm Clinch (October 27, 1908 – March 8, 2003) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Monterey in California from 1967 to 1982. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno from 1956 to 1967.

Biography

Early life and education Harry Clinch was born on October 27, 1908, in San Anselmo, California, to Henry Joseph and Mary E. (née McLoughlin) Clinch. In 1915, the Clinch family moved to Fresno, California, where he attended John Muir Elementary School and Fresno High School (1924–1925).

In 1925, Clinch was accepted by Bishop John MacGinley as a seminarian for the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno. He was diocesan director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1936 to 1948. At Sacred Heart, he constructed a church and established a parochial school.

Auxiliary Bishop of Monterey-Fresno On December 5, 1956, Clinch was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno and titular bishop of Badiae by Pius XII. He was the thirteenth native Californian to become a Catholic bishop.

Resignation and legacy On January 19, 1982, Pope John Paul II accepted Clinch's resignation as bishop of Monterey. At the time of his death, he was believed to be the last surviving American participant of the Second Vatican Council.