Bishop Leroy Theodore Matthiesen

Bishop Leroy Theodore Matthiesen passed away Monday, March 22, 2010 at his home in Amarillo at the age of 88.

Bishop Matthiesen was born June 11, 1921 in Olfen, the fourth of eight children of Joseph Anthony and Rosa Englert Matthiesen. He completed high school, college, and was ordained to the priesthood at Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio on March 10, 1946, for the Diocese of Amarillo in Texas.

After receiving a master’s in journalism from the Register College of Journalism in Denver, Colorado, in 1948, he was appointed editor of the weekly Texas panhandle Edition of the Register System of Catholic Newspapers (now The West Texas Catholic). He began writing a column, “Wise and Otherwise” in the paper in 1952 and continued it until 1998.

In 1954 he was given the honorary title of monsignor and became founding pastor of St. Laurence Parish in Amarillo, while continuing as editor of the diocesan newspaper and serving also as diocesan vocation director.

In 1961 he received a Master’s degree in secondary school administration from the Catholic University America and in 1962 was appointed rector of St. Lucian’s Preparatory Seminary in Amarillo, while continuing as editor of the diocesan newspaper and as vocation director. In 1961 he was awarded a Doctorate of Letters in Journalism by the Register College of Journalism. In 1968, still serving as editor and vocation director, he was named principal of Alamo Catholic High School in Amarillo, and chaplain of St. Francis Convent in Amarillo. He furthered his education by additional studies in Rome, Italy and Notre Dame University.

In 1971 he became, in addition, pastor of St. Francis’ Parish outside of Amarillo. In 1979 he was elected administrator of the diocese following the death of Bishop Lawrence M. DeFalco and served in that capacity until May 30, 1980, when he was ordained Bishop of Amarillo.

Bishop Matthiesen is a long-time member of the Catholic Press Association. He was presented with the Bishop Arthur J. O’Neal Award by The CPA in 1996. He was a member of the Communications Committee of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1980 to 1983. In 1984 he was awarded the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice. He served as a member of the board of directors of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference from 1985 to 1988, member of the administrative board of the NCCB from 1989 to 1995, and as a member of the American Board of Catholic Missions.
In 1996, Bishop Matthiesen was instrumental in the creation of the Catholic Foundation of the Texas Panhandle. He retired as Bishop of Amarillo January 21, 1997.

In 2002 Bishop Matthiesen was presented with the Ketteler Award from Social Justice. In 2009 he was awarded The Teacher of Peace Award from Pax Christi U.S.A. He was also a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

In retirement he served as chaplain of the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters, and the board of Directors of Ascension Academy, St. Ann’s Nursing Home, and the Catholic Historical Society. He is the author of Wise and Otherwise: the Life and Times of a Cottonpicking Texas Bishop published in fall, 2004, The Golden Years: The History of St. Laurence Cathedral in Amarillo, published in 2005; and Lieber Bernard and Elise: The Lives and Times of a German Texas Family, published in 2009, and was researching the life of Rudolph Aloysius Gerken, first bishop of Amarillo.

He was preceded in death by his parents of Olfen; two sisters, Benedictine nun, Sister Rosaria of Ocala, Florida, and Irene Mazur of San Angelo; and two brothers, Monsignor Monroe Matthiesen of Panhandle, and Victor Matthiesen of Miles.

Bishop Matthiesen is survived by a sister, Olga Miller of San Angelo, and by two brothers, Arnold Matthiesen and wife, Charlene, of Olfen, and Norbert Matthiesen and wife, Billie Jean, of Brady. He is also survived by 22 nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be made to the Matthiesen Seminary Burse, one that was initiated by the Bishop.

A Prayer Service will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Amarillo on Friday, March 26th, at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 27th at St. Thomas Catholic Church with Bishop Patrick Zurek as celebrant. Arrangements in Amarillo are by Schooler Funeral Home.

Locally, there will be a Vigil service on Sunday, March 28 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Olfen with Msgr. Larry Droll officiating. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Monday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Boniface Church with Bishop Michael Pfeifer O.M.I. as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Steven Matthiesen, Wayne Mazur, James Matthiesen, Michael Matthiesen, Richard Mazur, and Galen Matthiesen. Honorary pallbearers are his great-nephews and nieces.