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New bishop ordained in Greensburg Catholic diocese

A priest who had been the top canon lawyer in the Harrisburg diocese has been ordained and installed as the new bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg in western Pennsylvania.
Pope Francis appointed the Very Rev. Edward C. Malesic to the post in April. He officially became bishop at a Mass on Monday before a capacity crowd at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.

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He replaces Bishop Lawrence Brandt who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 on March 27, 2014. Bishops typically resign at that time, but remain in office until the pope names a successor.

Malesic will head a diocese serving about 149,000 Catholics in 78 parishes in Armstrong, Fayette, Indiana and Westmoreland counties.

Malesic is the fifth bishop in the diocese created by Pope Pius XII in March 1951.

Channel 11’s Joe Holden talked to Frank Tittiger, a friend of Malesic, who was in awe of all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the appointment.

“He's been a friend of mine since probably about high school age. … I think it’s wonderful. There couldn’t have been a better choice for bishop than him,” said Tittiger.

Malesic talked about his friend’s response with Channel 11 News.

“I don't think they'd dream of me with that, wearing the insignia of the bishop,” said Malesic.

For the diocese, a transition in leadership means a change in management style. Malesic is seen as a skilled administrator with a lighthearted approach.

“That's really what we’re looking forward to, a younger Bishop bringing us into the next challenge of the diocese, so we’re very excited,” said Fr. John Moineau of Immaculate Conception Church in Irwin.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

WPXI

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