Alfred Michael Watson

Alfred Michael Watson
Bishop of Erie
Church	Roman Catholic
See	Erie
In office	17 March 1969 – 16 July 1982
Predecessor	John Francis Whealon
Successor	Michael Joseph Murphy
Orders
Ordination	10 May 1934
Personal details
Born	(1908-07-11)July 11, 1908 Erie, Pennsylvania
Died	January 4, 1990(1990-01-04) (aged 81) Erie, Pennsylvania
Previous post	Auxiliary Bishop of Erie

Alfred Michael Watson (July 11, 1908 – January 4, 1990) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania (1969–1982).

Biography

Watson was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, and ordained a priest on May 10, 1934.^[1] On May 17, 1965, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Erie and Titular Bishop of National by Pope Paul VI.^[1] He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 29 from Cardinal John Krol, with Bishop John Selby Spence and Joseph Francis Donnelly serving as co-consecrators.^[1] Watson attended Cathedral Preparatory School.

Following the promotion of John Francis Whealon to Archbishop of Hartford in 1968, Watson was named Bishop of Erie on March 17, 1969.^[1] He was accused of being too slow to implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, and met considerable opposition from the diocesan clergy.^[2] During his tenure, he ordained 88 priests, but was forced to close or merge several Catholic schools.^[2]

After breaking his hip and undergoing surgery,^[2] he retired on July 16, 1982.^[1] He later died at age 81.

References

1 2 3 4 5 "Bishop Alfred Michael Watson". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
1 2 3 "About the Diocese (1969-1990): Bishop Alfred M. Watson and Bishop Murphy". Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie.

Catholic Church titles
New title	— TITULAR — Bishop of National 1965 – 1969	Vacant Title next held by Francisco Claver
Preceded by John Francis Whealon	Bishop of Erie 1969 – 1982	Succeeded by Michael Joseph Murphy

Diocese of Erie

Ordinaries	Bishops Michael O'Connor Joshua Maria Young Tobias Mullen John Edmund Fitzmaurice John Mark Gannon John Francis Whealon Alfred Michael Watson Michael Joseph Murphy Donald Walter Trautman Lawrence Thomas Persico Auxiliary bishops John Mark Gannon Edward Peter McManaman Alfred Michael Watson

Churches	Cathedral St. Peter Cathedral, Erie Parishes Decker's Chapel, St. Marys, Elk County St. Severin's Old Log Church, Cooper Settlement

Education	High schools Cathedral Preparatory School, Erie Central Catholic High School, DuBois Elk County Catholic High School, St. Marys Kennedy Catholic High School, Hermitage Mercyhurst Preparatory School, Erie Venango Catholic High School, Oil City Villa Maria Academy, Erie

Priests	Lawrence Eugene Brandt

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