Today, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. is pleased to share that Pope Francis has named Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, currently an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, as the Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Toledo (www.toledodiocese.org). Founded in 1910, the Diocese of Toledo is home to over 320,000 Catholics from19 counties in northwestern Ohio.

Biographical Information on Bishop Thomas:

Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, 55, is one of two children born to the late Anna M. (Weber) Thomas and the late Francis P. Thomas, Jr., in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Holy Family Parish Elementary School and Roman Catholic High School for Boys. Following graduation from high school, he enrolled at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood (Montgomery County). There he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees. He was ordained to the Priesthood by John Cardinal Krol in 1985 and served as parochial vicar at Saint Joseph Parish in Aston (Delaware County) 1985-1987. Then-Father Thomas studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome 1987-1989, earning an S.T.L. in Dogmatic Theology. He served as an official in the Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican and an Adjunct Spiritual Director at the North American College in Rome 1990-2005.

Saint Pope John Paul II named then-Father Thomas a Chaplain to His Holiness, which came with the tile of Monsignor, in 1995 and a Prelate of Honor in 2005. He returned home to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to become Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford (Chester County) 2005-2006. In 2006, then-Monsignor Thomas was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Justin Rigali. Since that time he has assisted both Cardinal Rigali and Archbishop Chaput with the pastoral and administrative care of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Comments from Archbishop Chaput and Bishop Thomas Regarding the Appointment:

Archbishop Chaput said, “The appointment being announced today demonstrates the confidence our Holy Father has in Bishop Thomas’ pastoral and administrative skills. I have worked with him closely since my arrival in Philadelphia nearly three years ago and have witnessed his wisdom, intelligence, personal warmth and keen affection for the people of God. The Diocese of Toledo has been given a true gift in Bishop Thomas. I know he will serve them joyfully as a faithful shepherd and spiritual father. I ask that all priests, deacons, religious and laity of the Archdiocese join me in extending congratulations and prayerful best wishes as he prepares to accept this assignment.”

Bishop Thomas is in Toledo today to hold a news conference regarding his appointment. He will be installed as the bishop of that diocese on Wednesday, October 22nd in Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral
in Toledo. In his remarks, Bishop Thomas said, “I express my profound gratitude to Pope Francis for his confidence and trust in appointing me the shepherd of the Lord’s flock here in northwest Ohio. Aware that I am not worthy of the Office, I trust in God’s Holy Will. It is my sincere prayer that I may be a faithful, humble, holy and ardent bishop for Toledo, and that I may spend myself for love of souls in teaching, governing and sanctifying in the name of Jesus for the sake of His Church.”

Additional Information on Bishop Thomas:

Bishop Thomas is a member of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests, the Archdiocesan College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Priest Personnel Board. He is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and a member of the Seminary’s Admissions Board for the Diocesan Priesthood.

In the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Thomas serves as a member of the following: The Ad Hoc Committee on Catechism; the Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations; the Task Force Commission on Certification and Accreditation; and the Committee on Divine Worship.

Bishop Thomas also serves as a member of the Episcopal Advisory Boards for both the Catholic Leadership Institute and the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors and as a member of the National Advisory Council for the Saint John Vianney Center.

Contact
Kenneth A. Gavin
Director of Communications
215-587-3747