1956: Rev. Thomas Gill ordained Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle
 

 
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Thomas E. Gill was born on March 19, 1908 in Seattle, Washington. He was ordained in 1933, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco for the Diocese of Seattle. In 1936, Father Gill was assigned to the Graduate School of Social Work at Catholic University in Washington DC where he earned his Master’s degree in the field.  In 1956, after serving as pastor of St. James’ Cathedral, Father Gill was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle. 

Bishop Gill had a strong desire to serve the poor of the diocese, especially children in poverty.  He worked with Catholic Children’s Services for 18 years, and was well-respected by state, civic and religious leaders, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. He was esteemed for his gentle demeanor and kindness, as well as for his firm stances on the sanctity of human life and justice for the underprivileged.

Bishop Gill died unexpectedly from a massive coronary attack on November 11, 1973 while in Washington DC attending a meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Sources:

• Archives of the Archdiocese of Seattle
• O'Connell Killen, Patricia. Abundance of Grace: The History of the Archdiocese of Seattle 1850-2000
• The Catholic Northwest Progress, 16 November 1973, Vol. 76. No. 46