Bishop William A. Hughes, 91, who was the Diocese of Covington’s eighth bishop, died Feb. 7 at Carmel Manor in Fort Thomas, Ky. He led the diocese from 1979 to 1995.
His episcopal motto was “To Serve, Not Be Served” and he was greatly influenced by the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, according to a new release from his diocese.
Bishop Hughes was a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and was ordained a priest of the Youngstown Diocese in 1946. He taught at high schools in Ohio and later became a principal. He was named vicar general of the Youngstown Diocese in 1973 and less than a year later was named an auxiliary bishop. He became Bishop of Covington in 1979.
Bishop Hughes was active in issues of peace and justice and in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He issued two pastoral statements. One statement, called “A Vision of Church,” focused on the participation of lay people and their collaboration with clergy and religious in the church. The other, “Not Lords, But Servants,” centered on the need for the laity to the share responsibilities set forth in the Gospels. He also joined with Kentucky’s bishops to issue “Reverence for Life — The Pursuit of Justice.”
Bishop Roger Foys of Covington will preside at the reception of the body at Covington’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption at noon today, Feb. 14, and at a vigil service this evening at 7 p.m.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz will be the principal celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial at noon Feb. 15.
