- Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman has been appointed as Zubik's successor by Pope Leo XIV.
- Zubik, a Beaver County native, served as bishop since 2007 and previously held positions within the diocese and in Green Bay, WI.
Beaver County native David A. Zubik has resigned as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
According to the diocese, Zubik, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 last September, sent his letter of resignation to the Vatican, and it was accepted June 4 by recently installed Pope Leo XIV. The pope then appointed Auxiliary Bishop Mark A. Eckman as Zubik's replacement.
Eckman, who will be the 13th bishop of the diocese, will officially be installed during a special Mass on July 14 at St. Paul Cathedral in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
In a letter to diocesan clergy and staff, Zubik wrote, “I am both grateful and thrilled with this appointment. Bishop Eckman knows the diocese. And we know him as an exceptional pastor, and outstanding – truly an exemplary priest.”
“With a grateful and humble heart, I accept this appointment and ask for the prayers of all the faithful,”said Eckman, who has served as auxiliary bishop since 2022. “Together, we will continue the mission of Jesus Christ with hope.”
Zubik grew up in Economy, attended elementary school at Ambridge's St. Stanislaus and graduated from the borough's St. Veronica High School. He continued his Catholic education as an undergraduate at Duquesne University and then St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md.
Zubik was ordained in 1975, and in the fall of 1980, he was transferred to Baden, where he served as chaplain for the Sisters of St. Joseph's motherhouse and its school, Mount Gallitzin Academy, in Baden. Zubik was also assigned to work at nearby Quigley Catholic High School in Economy as vice principal and teacher.
Zubik taught at Quigley until 1987, when he was appointed to an istrative secretary role for the diocese. He was auxiliary bishop in Pittsburgh from 1997-2003 and then bishop of Green Bay, WI, from 2003-07, before taking the reins Sept. 28, 2007, in Pittsburgh.
Mount Galitzen closed in June 2009. Quigley closed in June 2020.