Thomas Lawrence Noa

Thomas Lawrence Noa (December 18, 1892 – March 13, 1977) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Marquette in Michigan from 1947 to 1968. He previously served as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls in Iowa from 1946 to 1947.

Biography

Early life One of nine children, Thomas Noa was born on December 18, 1892, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, to John and Magdalene (née Walczak) Noa.

Priesthood Noa was ordained to the priesthood in Rome by Cardinal Basilio Pompili on December 23, 1916. Following his return to Michigan in 1917, he was appointed to the faculty of St. Joseph Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a professor. Noa was named rector of St. Joseph in 1927. Noa in 1952 opened the cause, or initiative, for the canonization of the former bishop of Marquette, Frederic Baraga. In 1958, Noa issued a directive that Catholics in his diocese should not attend meetings of Moral Re-armament, an international spiritual association, citing its dangers to Catholic faith.