At noon Roman time today, Pope Francis announced from the Vatican that he has accepted the retirement of Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia.
As required by the Code of Canon Law for all bishops, Bishop Deliman petitioned the Vatican for retirement on the occasion of his 75th birthday, which took place in March of this year.
Although officially retired, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Deliman will continue serving the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and its people in several capacities.
Statement of Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez on the Occasion of the Retirement of Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I invite the entire Church in Philadelphia to join me in expressing prayerful congratulations and best wishes to Bishop Deliman on the occasion of his retirement. Throughout nearly 50 years as a priest, he has been a model of missionary discipleship in service to others.
He is greatly loved by God’s people in Philadelphia and widely known as a humble shepherd who walks with and among all those for whom he provides pastoral care. Of particular note is Bishop Deliman’s work with the Hispanic Catholic community in our region for decades. His tireless dedication to their temporal, pastoral, and cultural needs deserves our mutual respect and deep admiration.
Although retired, Bishop Deliman still plans to keep working. He will maintain a strong presence in the Hispanic Catholic community, preside at Confirmations, and much more. I’m so deeply grateful for his desire to continue in active service to God’s people. It’s a true blessing to us all.
Pope Francis once said, “Together with a culture of work, there must be a culture of leisure as gratification. To put it another way: people who work must take the time to relax, to be with their families, to enjoy themselves, read, listen to music, play a sport.”
I share those sentiments on behalf of our entire local Church and pray that Bishop Deliman’s retirement will be filled with peace, joy, and happiness.
Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
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Biographical Information on Most Reverend Edward M. Deliman
Bishop Edward M. Deliman was born in Lorain, Ohio, on March 4, 1947 to Edward Deliman (deceased) and Margaret Rackish Deliman (deceased). He has two brothers, Michael and Francis. Both are married and have four children between them.
Bishop Deliman’s family moved to Morrisville (Bucks County) in the early 1950s and became members of Holy Trinity Parish. He attended Holy Trinity Parish Elementary School, which was staffed by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He then attended Bishop Egan High School in Levittown for two years before entering Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. At the Seminary he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity Degrees. Upon completion of his studies and the program of formation, he was ordained to the Priesthood by John Cardinal Krol in 1973. After ordination, he studied Spanish in Douglastown, New York, and later served as an assistant priest at a parish in the Archdiocese of San Juan to further hone his foreign language skills. In 1991, he was named an Honorary Prelate of his Holiness with the title of Monsignor by Saint John Paul II.
During his forty-nine years as a priest, Bishop Deliman has demonstrated broad pastoral and administrative experience among diverse populations. He has served as a parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish, Cheltenham (Montgomery County); Saint Clement Parish, Philadelphia; Saint John Bosco Parish, Hatboro (Montgomery County); Saint Agnes Parish, West Chester (Chester County); and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia.
He served as a pastor at Saint Bonaventure Parish, Philadelphia; Visitation B.V.M. Parish, Philadelphia; Saint Agnes Parish, West Chester (Chester County); Saint Martin of Tours Parish, Philadelphia; Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Bensalem (Bucks County); and Saint Charles Borromeo Parish, Bensalem (Bucks County), his most recent assignment before Episcopal Ordination.
In addition to his parish-based ministry, he previously assisted the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal as an adjunct auditor. He also served as a Priest Vocation Coordinator and Spiritual Director for seminarians.
On May 31, 2016 Pope Francis appointed him the 27th auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
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