Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop Zubik and Appoints Bishop Mark Eckman for Diocese of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania

Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh; Appoints Bishop Mark Eckman as Successor
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop David Zubik, from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and has appointed Bishop Mark Eckman, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as his successor.

June 4, 2025 - WASHINGTON – Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop David A. Zubik, age 75, (pictured in black) from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and has appointed Bishop Mark A. Eckman, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, as his successor.

(VIDEO press conference from the official Website of the Diocese of Pittsburgh - Article Continues below the Video)  

The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on June 4, 2025, by Monsignor Većeslav Tumir, chargé d’ affaires, a.i., of the Apostolic Nunciature, in the temporary absence of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh is comprised of 3,754 square miles in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has a total population of 1,942,436 of which 615,659, are Catholic.

USCCB Release

BIOGRAPHY from the Diocese of Pittsburgh:

Most Reverend Mark A. Eckman

(2022-present)

Bishop Mark A. Eckman, M. Div., was born in Pittsburgh and graduated from Saint Valentine Elementary School in Bethel Park and the former South Hills Catholic High School in Mount Lebanon, now Seton LaSalle Catholic High School. He is the son of Francis and Clarissa Eckman (both deceased) and brother to Peggy Mannella (Bethel Park), Mary Haugen (deceased) and Francis, Jr. (deceased). He entered priestly formation at Saint Paul Seminary in East Carnegie, is a graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and received a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. Since his priestly ordination on May 11, 1985, Bishop Eckman has served primarily in South Hills parishes: as parochial vicar at five parishes, high school chaplain at Seton LaSalle and DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, pastor at three parishes, and administrator of two parishes. From July 15, 2013 until July 1, 2020, he was episcopal vicar for clergy personnel. He was assigned administrator of the parishes of Saint Thomas More and Saint John Capistran that merged to become Resurrection Parish, where he remains as pastor (appointed January 4, 2021). He has also been a member of several boards including priest council, USCCB National Advisory Board, Permanent Diaconate Formation board, the seminary admissions board and priest candidates admissions board. Aside from his priestly duties, Bishop Eckman is devoted to his extended family and also enjoys photography, especially of mountains where he goes hiking and skiing.