William Anthony Hughes

William Anthony Hughes (September 23, 1921 – February 7, 2013) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Covington in Kentucky from 1979 to 1995.

Biography

Early life William Hughes was born on September 23, 1921, in Youngstown, Ohio, to James and Anna (née Philbin) Hughes, both Irish immigrants. After attending Ursuline High School in Youngstown, he studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland, where he graduated summa cum laude. He completed his theological studies at St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio.

Priesthood Hughes was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Youngstown by Bishop James A. McFadden on April 6, 1946, at St. Columba's Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio. After his ordination, the diocese assigned Hughes as a curate at St. Charles Parish in Boardman, Ohio, and St. Joseph Parish in Massillon, Ohio. In 1956, Hughes earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. That same year, he was appointed as the first principal of Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown. In 1965, Hughes was appointed superintendent of schools in the diocese and vicar for education. and for saying mass for gays and lesbians at Chicago in 1992. Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, he served as chair of the Subcommittee on Spiritual Renewal and Continuing Education.

Retirement and death Hughes resigned as bishop of Covington on July 4, 1995. Hughes died on February 7, 2013. He was buried at St. Mary Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.