CLEVELAND — Bishop Anthony Michael Pilla, who led the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland for 25 years, died early Tuesday morning, according to the Diocese of Cleveland. He was 88 years old.

What You Need To Know

  • Bishop Anthony Pilla died peacefully at his home Tuesday morning

  • A cause of death has not been announced

  • He led the Diocese of Cleveland from 1981-2006

  • Pilla also was the president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops from November 1995 to November 1998.

Pilla “peacefully” died at his residence, according to Bishop Edward Malesic. Funeral arrangements are pending.Pilla was 88 years old. 

Pilla was installed as the ninth Bishop of Cleveland on Jan. 6, 1981 after being appointed to the post by Pope John Paul II on Nov. 18, 1980. He retired on April 4, 2006. 

During his tenure, Pilla served as president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops from November 1995 to November 1998. 

Pilla was a Cleveland native and attended Cathedral Latin High School. He attended St. Gregory Seminary College before graduating from Borromeo College in 1955. He also graduated from Saint Mary Seminary in Cleveland in 1959. 

“In my short time as the bishop of Cleveland I came to know Bishop Pilla as a very warm, kind-hearted and deeply faithful shepherd, always dedicated to the people of the diocese,” Pilla said. “He was generous with his time and sharing his knowledge and concern for the diocese with me. 

“As a leader in the national Church, Bishop Pilla was an inspiration and example to me throughout my priesthood and in my years as a bishop. I felt so welcomed by him when I came to the Diocese of Cleveland, a Church that he loved so much. As a leader in the community and a friend to so many, he will be greatly missed.”

Gov. Mike DeWine reacted to Pilla's death, calling the bishop a "personal friend."

"Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of Bishop Anthony Pilla," DeWine said. "Bishop Pilla was a devoted servant of the Lord who cared deeply for the people of Northeast Ohio. He was one of them. And as Bishop, his relationship with the people of the diocese was as personal and meaningful as the relationship between a parish priest and his congregation."