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By Matthew Peaslee

A local Catholic pastor has been appointed to one of the highest roles within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The Rev. Mark Eckman, currently pastor of Resurrection Parish in Bethel Park/Upper St. Clair, will become an auxiliary bishop for the diocese.   His new role will begin on Jan. 11, 2022.

South Hills pastor Mark Eckman was named auxiliary bishop for Diocese of Pittsburgh

Eckman was born and raised in the South Hills and was a 1977 graduate of the former South Hills Catholic High School.   He will remain in his role at Resurrection Parish — which includes the churches of St. John Capistran and St. Thomas More — and take on expanded duties throughout the dioceses.

Under Bishop David Zubik, the diocese is also served by Aux. Bishop William Waltersheid and retired Aux. Bishop William Winter.

Eckman was ordained a priest in 1985 and he has served as a parish parochial vicar, high school chaplain, parish pastor, parish administrator and episcopal vicar for clergy personnel.

“I am so grateful to all the faithful in the assignments that I have had the privilege to serve,” Eckman said.

Of Eckman, Zubik said, “He has shown himself to be a caring, compassionate, responsible, skilled pastor of the Church.”

From the Vatican, Pope Francis issued the decree naming Eckman an auxiliary bishop on Nov. 5. He will have a formal ordination in January at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

“What a well-deserved honor,” said Mary Kirk. “Father Eckman is so amazingly kind and a great, compassionate leader.”

Three other Catholic bishops have graduated from the former South Hills Catholic including Bishop Donald Francis Lippert, who is now the bishop of the Diocese of Mendi, Papua New Guinea; Bishop David Bonnar, who is now the bishop of Youngstown, Ohio; and Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who is now the archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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