Ronald Michael Gilmore

Ronald Michael Gilmore (born April 23, 1942) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the fifth Bishop of Dodge City.

Early life and education

Ronald Gilmore was born in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Leo and Maxine (née McColm) Gilmore. He attended St. Mary's High School from 1956 to 1959, and graduated in 1960 from St. John Vianney High School in Omaha, Nebraska.

From 1960 to 1962, Gilmore studied at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. He then worked for Catholic Social Service in Wichita in the Cuban Refugee Program until 1963, working with approximately 20 Cuban boys at what was then called Mariana House. He also attended the University of Ottawa in Canada (1963-1969), from where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy and degrees in theology.

Priesthood

Gilmore was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop David Maloney on June 7, 1969, and then served as an associate pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church in Wichita. From 1971 to 1973, he pursued his doctoral studies in theology in Canada.

Upon his return to the United States in 1973, Gilmore was assigned to the Passionist Monastery in St. Paul. He did pastoral work at the Church of the Magdalen (1973–1975) and at St. Teresa Parish, Hutchinson (1975–1981), also serving as Assistant Chancellor for the Diocese of Wichita.

Gilmore also served as a chaplain and religious teacher at Trinity High School, and Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Holy Family Center for the mentally disabled. He was administrator of St. Agnes Church in Castleton from 1981 to 1982, whence he became was the first pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Wichita. He was named Chancellor in August 1983, and Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia in June 1988. In May 1998, he was raised to the rank of Monsignor as well.

Episcopal career

Bishop of Dodge City

On May 12, 1998, Gilmore was appointed the fifth Bishop of Dodge City by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on the following July 16 from Archbishop James Keleher, with Bishops Eugene Gerber and Stanley Schlarman serving as co-consecrators. He selected as his episcopal motto: "Be Still and Know" (Psalms 46:10). In 2001 the new Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe was established. On December 15, 2010, Bishop Gilmore resigned.

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Gilmore sits on the Stewardship Committee.