Alcalá 1990

Our Dedication To:

B ishop Leo T. Maher The Most Reverend Leo Thomas Maher has been the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego for twenty one years. The Bishop was born in Union, Iowa in 1916. He is the fifth of nine

He has recognized the growing and changing needs of San Diego. San Diego is an ever-increas– ingly populated city. Bishop Maher has helped parishes grow as the diocese has grown. He has

It is a tradition for Bishop Maher to speak at USD graduation ceremonies.

opened nineteen parishes since 1970. When the bishop arrived in San Diego it had been five years since the diocese had opened a parish. The San Diego Diocese spon– sored the St. Vincent de Paul/ Joan Kroc Center, a center opened to serve the poor and homeless. Bishop Maher has done his best to help alleviate many problems of the poor, homeless, and elderly. Since 1970 Bishop Maher has opened four high-rise apartment communities for senior citizens. Bishop Leo T. Maher provides dynamic moral leadership for all to follow. Bishop Maher takes vo– cal and occasionally controversial stands on topics. Some of these topics have included birth control, abortion, homosexuality, school– based health clinics, and drug abuse. Bishop Maher has been a great

children from a religious family. Bishop Maher moved to California when he was twelve years old. He graduated from St. Joseph's Minor Seminary in Mountain View, California in 1937. In 1943 he graduated from St. Patrick's Major Seminary in Menlo Park. The Bishop was 1Jrdained for the Archdiocese of San Francisco by Archbishop John Joseph Mitty in 1943. Bishop Leo T, Maher served as a parish priest in San Francisco until December 28, 1946 when he was named secretary to the arch– bishop in 1966. On April 6, 1962 Bishop Maher was installed as the founding bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa. While Bishop Maher was the bishop of Santa Rosa he was part of the Vatican Pastoral Council (Vatican II.) He was a leader of

Bishop Leo Thomas Maher, third bishop of the San Diego Diocese.

various liturgical and philosophi- cal changes that came from the sessions of the council. The Vatican II concluded in 1966. Bishop Leo Thomas Maher became the bishop of San Diego in 1969. The bishop has made many contributions to the local church. Bishop Maher has played a leading role in making USD one of the West's leading centers of higher education.

influence through the years. His presence will be missed at the University of San Diego and in the surrounding community. Bishop Maher has been an inspiration to many, especially to the students whom he touched through the University. USD appreciates Bishop Maher's time and dedication to our development as a community.

Bishop Maher aqjusts the robes of the Santa Rosa boys'choir, his former diocese, adisplay ofhis care and concern for the future generation.

The Bishop is always a focal point for the media and the community of San Diego, as seen here in the early ?O's.

6 BISHOP MAHER