Phillip Francis Straling

Phillip Francis Straling (born April 25, 1933) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of San Bernardino in California from 1978 to 1995, and as Bishop of the Diocese of Reno in Nevada from 1995 to 2005.

Biography Early life and ministry Phillip Straling was born on April 25, 1933, in San Bernardino, California.

Bishop of San Bernardino On July 14, 1978, Pope Paul VI named Straling as the first bishop of San Bernardino. He was consecrated in Riverside, California, on November 6, 1978, by Cardinal Timothy Manning. The co-consecrators were Archbishop John Quinn and Bishop Leo Maher.

During Straling's episcopate, the diocese grew from about 235,000 people to 800,000, and from 85 parishes to 105. He established a permanent diaconate program, and started the Straling Institute in 1980 for laymen. On January 28, 1992, Pope John Paul II named Gerald Barnes as the first auxiliary bishop of the diocese and Straling consecrated him on March 18 of the same year.

Bishop of Reno On March 21, 1995, John Paul II divided the Diocese of Reno-Las Vegas into two dioceses and appointed Straling as bishop of the new Diocese of Reno. He was installed on June 29, 1995, and served there for ten years.

Retirement Pope Benedict XVI accepted Straling's letter of resignation as bishop of Reno on June 21, 2005.