F. Joseph Gossman

Francis Joseph Gossman (April 1, 1930 – August 12, 2013) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as a bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina from 1975 to 2006.

Early life and education

Gossman was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Frank and Genevieve (née Steadman) Gossman. He attended St. Charles College in Ellicott City and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, from where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in 1952. He then furthered his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Ordination and ministry

In Rome, Gossman was ordained a priest on December 17, 1955. He earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1956. Upon his return to the United States, Gossman began his graduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., receiving a doctorate in canon law in June 1959.

He then served as vice-chancellor for the Archdiocese and assistant pastor at the Basilica of the Assumption until 1968, whence he became administrator of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. He was also raised to the rank of Monsignor on June 27, 1965.

Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore

On July 15, 1968, Gossman was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland and Titular Bishop of Aguntum by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 11 from Lawrence Cardinal Sheehan, with Bishops Thomas Murphy and Thomas Mardaga serving as co-consecrators. As an auxiliary, he served as vicar for inner Baltimore.

Bishop of Raleigh

Gossman was later named the fourth Bishop of Raleigh on April 8, 1975. After a 31-year-long tenure and reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, his resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on June 8, 2006.

Gossman died from a long-term illness on August 12, 2013.