Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk, the retired ninth ordinary (presiding bishop) of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is a nationally prominent churchman, educator and author of popular books about Catholic themes.

He was born in Dayton, Ohio, on August 12, 1934. After studies at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, he was ordained a priest on December 20, 1959. His ordination as bishop in 1974 and installation as archbishop in 1982 also were on December 20.  His resignation as Archbishop of Cincinnati was accepted by Pope Benedicgt XVI on December 21, 2009, the day after the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. 

In addition to a doctorate in sacred theology from Pontifical Urban University (1961), Archbishop Pilarczyk holds an M.A. in classics from Xavier University in Cincinnati (1965) and a Ph.D. in classics from the University of Cincinnati (1969). Every major college and university in Cincinnati has awarded him an honorary doctorate, including Hebrew Union College / Jewish Institute of Religion (1997). The University of Cincinnati’s College of Arts and Science also named him a Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2001.

He has a strong interest in education. From 1963 to 1974 he was on the faculty of the former St. Gregory Seminary in Cincinnati, the last six years as Rector. While auxiliary bishop of Cincinnati from 1974 to 1982, he was Director of Educational Services for the Archdiocese.

The archbishop’s service to the American church includes terms as vice president (1986-1989) and president (1989-1992) of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has also chaired many committees of the conference, including those on education, liturgy, and doctrine.

Archbishop Pilarczyk has written more than a dozen popular books and many pamphlets and articles. His best selling book is Twelve Tough Issues: What the Church Teaches – and Why, recently revised as Twelve Tough Issues – And More. His most recent are When God Speaks and Live Letters.