Joseph Gregory Vath

Joseph Gregory Vath (March 12, 1918 – July 14, 1987) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama from 1969 to 1987. He was previously an auxiliary bishop in the diocese from 1966 to 1969.

Life and ministry

Early life Joseph Vath was born on March 12, 1918, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New Orleans by Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel in New Orleans on June 7, 1941.

Auxiliary bishop of Mobile-Birmingham Vath was appointed as auxiliary bishop of Mobile-Birmingham and titular bishop of Novaliciana on March 4, 1966, by Pope Paul VI. He was consecrated in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 26, 1966, by Cardinal Egidio Vagnozzi.

Death Joseph Vath died in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 14, 1987, at age 69.