Thaddeus Anthony Shubsda

Thaddeus Anthony "Ted" Shubsda (April 2, 1925—April 26, 1991) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Monterey in California from 1982 until his death in 1991. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California from 1976 to 1982.

Biography

Early life and education Thaddeus Shubsda was born on April 2, 1925, in Los Angeles, California, to Julius and Mary (née Jelski) Shubsda. His parents were Polish immigrants from Sitkowo in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. He received his early education at local public schools, and attended lessons in the Polish language at the Polish Hall in Los Angeles. He celebrated his first mass at Our Lady of Bright Mount Parish in Los Angeles.

Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles On December 20, 1976, Shubsda was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and titular bishop of Tragurium by Pope Paul VI. He acted as a mediator in the Watsonville, California frozen food strikes, and spoke out forcefully for better living conditions for field workers after some had been found living in caves in Salinas, California. His actions prompted labor leader César Chávez to remark, "The church has many flaws, but in many ways it is still the best friend we have." He hosted John Paul II's visit to the Monterey Peninsula in California in September 1987, and actively promoted the beatification of Spanish missionary Junípero Serra.

Death Shubsda was diagnosed with melanoma in September 1990. Thaddeus Shubsda died seven months later due to complications from cancer on April 26, 1991, at age 66.