Paul Francis Anderson

Paul Francis Anderson (April 20, 1917 – January 4, 1987) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as coadjutor bishop and bishop of Duluth in Minnesota (1968–1982) and as an auxiliary bishop of Sioux Falls in South Dakota (1982–1987).

Biography

Early life Paul Anderson was born on April 20, 1917, in Roslindale, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts, to Philip and Mary Elizabeth Anderson. His father lost his job during the 1919 Boston Police Strike and later became a motorman on the Boston Elevated Railway. After his ordination, the archdiocese assigned Anderson as a curate at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish in Waltham. The diocese then assigned Anderson as a curate at Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen, St. Martin Parish in Huron, and Holy Cross Parish in Ipswich, all in South Dakota. From 1947 to 1959, he served as administrator of St. Catherine Parish in Oldham, South Dakota. During his tenure in Oldham, he built a new church after the original structure was destroyed in a fire. He later served as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Montrose (1959–1962), St. Mary Parish in Salem (1962–65), and St. Martin Parish in Huron (1965–1969), all in South Dakota. During his pastoral work, he became active in the Christian Family Movement.

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Duluth On July 19, 1968, Anderson was appointed coadjutor bishop of Duluth and titular bishop of Polinianum by Pope Paul VI to assist Bishop Francis Joseph Schenk. Anderson received his episcopal consecration on October 17, 1968, from Bishop Lambert Anthony Hoch, with Schenk and Bishop Thomas Joseph Riley serving as co-consecrators.

When Schenk retired, Anderson succeeded him as the fifth bishop of Duluth on April 30, 1969. During his 13-year tenure, he earned a reputation as an advocate for progressive causes, and worked to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council of the early 1960s. He organized five regional pastoral councils, encouraged charismatic services, and improved Catholic relations with Protestants and Jews. He privately believed in the ordination of women, and appointed one of the first laywomen to serve on a diocesan matrimonial court.

Auxiliary Bishop of Sioux Falls On August 17, 1982, Anderson resigned as bishop of Duluth; he was appointed the first auxiliary bishop of Sioux Falls by Pope John Paul II. As an auxiliary bishop, he served as diocesan vicar for spiritual renewal.

Anderson died from complications following cancer surgery at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, at age 69.