South Hills pastor named auxiliary bishop for Pittsburgh diocese by Pope Francis

Pope Francis has named a longtime South Hills pastor an auxiliary bishop of Pittsburgh, the Diocese of Pittsburgh announced Friday.

The Rev. Mark Eckman was appointed Friday by Archbishop Cristophe Pierre in Washington, D.C. His ordination is scheduled for Jan. 11 at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Eckman, 62, said in a statement he is honored by the appointment.

“I have chosen as my episcopal motto, ‘To serve in faith and charity,’ ” Eckman said. “I hope to faithfully live out this motto as I continue to minister in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.”

Bishop David Zubik called Eckman a caring, compassionate and skilled pastor.

“The Holy Father’s appointment is a gift to our diocese and brings great joy to me,” Bishop Zubik said in a statement. “Bishop-elect Eckman is a born and raised Pittsburgher who has a deep devotion to Jesus and the people of this region.”

Eckman serves as pastor of Resurrection Parish in Bethel Park. As an auxiliary bishop, he will assist Zubik with various needs throughout the diocese.

He attended St. Valentine elementary school and the former South Hills Catholic High School, and he was a seminarian at St. Paul Seminary. He graduated from Duquesne University and received a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe.

“I only ever wanted to be a parish priest,” he said, calling it a privilege to serve the faithful. Over the last three decades, he’s also served as parochial vicar, school chaplain, an administrator of two parishes, pastor of two parishes, and an episcopal vicar for clergy personnel.