U-Mary 2008 Honorary Doctorate Recipient and Graduation Speaker

In 1997, his appointment as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck brought the Most Reverend Paul A. Zipfel to North Dakota. Since then, the St. Louis, MO, native has carried forth his personal mission of Pro Christo Legatus — “Ambassador for Christ” — as an ambassador for the Church in western North Dakota. He has done so with commitment, vision, and appreciation of his calling as a servant leader, bringing his love of people to his administrative role. Having served as a pastor, teacher, and school administrator, he is noted for his dedication to young people and as a champion of Catholic education and youth outreach.

Born in St. Louis, Sept. 22, 1935, to Albert and Leona (Rau) Zipfel, Bishop Zipfel was the youngest of three children. Feeling called by God while in elementary school, he attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary and Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis. He was ordained to the priesthood March 18, 1961, and received a licentiate in sacred theology from Catholic University of America the following June. Earning a Master of Arts in Education from St. Louis University in 1965, he then spent 10 years as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in the St. Louis Archdiocesan high schools. This was followed by 20 years as an associate pastor and pastor in various parishes. In 1989, he was ordained as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and appointed bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 31, 1996.

Since his Feb. 20, 1997 installation, Bishop Zipfel has sought to be a teacher, a shepherd, and a sanctifier. “A teacher is one who exercises the ministry of the Word worthily and wisely, preaching the gospel and explaining the Catholic faith,” he explains. “A shepherd leader is one who exercises leadership which is shaped and molded by a love for the people. The call to be a sanctifier refers to the very identity of the priest and bishop. It is a call to lead the people to holiness.”

Bishop Zipfel has brought his love for people as well as recognition of his own humanity to these roles. A noted storyteller and speaker (receiving the 1999 Great Preacher Award from Aquinas Institute of Theology) and a lifelong amateur magician, Bishop Zipfel particularly enjoys putting his talents to use in communicating with youth and teens. He includes supporting Catholic schools and addressing the rising costs of education and ministering to youth among the challenges facing North Dakota.

Bishop Zipfel has served on the Fontbonne University Board of Trustees, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCC) Committee on Communications, and the National Catholic Conference of Bishops/USCC Administrative Board, and has chaired the USCC Catholic Communication Campaign Advisory Board, Production Subcommittee and USCCB Committee on Home Missions.

He has one brother, Ralph, of St. Louis, MO, and a sister, Sister Alice Regine Zipfel, of the Congregation of the Precious Blood, in O’Fallon, MO.

Bishop Zipfel will address 2008 graduates, posing the question “What Do You Want on Your Tombstone?”