Joseph G. Pinten

Joseph Gabriel Pinten (October 3, 1867 – November 6, 1945) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the third Bishop of the Diocese of Superior in Superior, Wisconsin (1922–1926), and the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids in Grand Rapids, Michigan (1926–1940).

Joseph Gabriel Pinten
Bishop of Superior
Church	Catholic Church
Diocese	Diocese of Superior
In office	May 3, 1922 – October 25, 1926 Bishop of Superior October 28, 1926 – November 1, 1940 Bishop of Grand Rapids
Predecessor	Joseph Maria Koudelka
Successor	Theodore H. Reverman
Orders
Ordination	November 1, 1890 by Cardinal Lucido Parocchi
Consecration	May 3, 1922 by Archbishop Sebastian Messmer of Milwaukee
Personal details
Born	(1867-10-03)October 3, 1867 Rockland, Michigan
Died	November 6, 1945(1945-11-06) (aged 78) Marquette, Michigan
Buried	Holy Cross Cemetery
Denomination	Catholic Church
Parents	Joseph and Anna (Kloekner) Pinten
Occupation	Catholic Bishop
Previous post	Vicar General, Diocese of Marquette
Alma mater	St. Francis Seminary

Biography

Early years in Michigan

Joseph Pinten was born in Rockland, Michigan and grew up in Calumet, Michigan.[1] In 1881 he entered St. Francis Seminary, and completed his studies in Rome, Italy.

Pinten was ordained to the Catholic priesthood on November 1, 1890 in Rome for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan (now the Diocese of Marquette).[2] He served at several parishes and then was appointed as rector of St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.[3]

In 1912 Father Pinten was named vicar general of the diocese. Later that year Pope Pius X honored him with the title of domestic prelate (monsignor). He directed the construction of Holy Family Orphan's Home in Marquette, and headed the orphanage from 1916 to 1922. While serving as vicar general, in 1919 purchased dormitory property of Northern Normal College and donated it to the diocese to use as a church with conditions that it be named after Saint Michael and that the new parish build a school.

Bishop of Superior, Wisconsin

On November 30, 1921, Pope Benedict XV appointed Pinten the third bishop of the Superior Diocese. He was ordained bishop on May 3, 1922 at St. Peter Cathedral with Archbishop Sebastian Messmer of Milwaukee presiding. The next day an enthronement ceremony was held a Sacred Heart pro-cathedral in Superior.[4]

After his arrival in Superior, Bishop Pinten purchased a home for himself near the city center. When he learned that a local community of sisters was living in an overcrowded residence, he had his home remodeled and quietly turned it over to the Sisters. He oversaw numerous building and expansion projects throughout the diocese.

Ground breaking for the new cathedral began on June 23, 1926.[1] In his last official act as Bishop of Superior, Bishop Pinten blessed and laid the cornerstone for the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior on October 24, 1926. The next day he left for his new appointment at Grand Rapids.

Bishop of Grand Rapids, Michigan

On June 25, 1926, Pope Pius XI appointed him the fourth bishop of the Grand Rapids Diocese. He was installed there on October 28, 1926.

On November 1, 1940, Bishop Pinten resigned on his 50th priestly ordination anniversary.[1] He moved back to Marquette, Michigan where he died in on November 6, 1945.

See also

• Catholic Church hierarchy
• Catholic Church in the United States
• Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
• List of Catholic bishops of the United States
• Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops

References

1. Our Journey through Faith; A History of the Diocese of Superior. Ireland: Booklink, 2005, pp. 28-30.
2. Biographical Record ... of Houghton, Baraga and Marquette Counties, Michigan. Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903, pp. 225-226.
3. Scott Jamieson. History of St. Peter Cathedral: Joseph Gabriel Pinten.
4. Diocese of Superior. Bishop Pinten (1922-1926). Retrieved October 14, 2014.

External links

• GCatholic Reference, Diocese of Superior, list of Bishops ^{[self-published]}
• GCatholic Reference, Diocese of Grand Rapids, list of Bishops ^{[self-published]}
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop Joseph Casimir Plagens	Bishop of Grand Rapids 1926–1940	Succeeded by Bishop Edward Denis Kelly
Preceded by Joseph Maria Koudelka	Bishop of Superior 1922–1926	Succeeded by Theodore H. Reverman