Francis Frederick Reh

Francis Frederick Reh (January 9, 1911 – November 14, 1994) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Charleston (1962–64), rector of the Pontifical North American College (1964–68), and Bishop of Saginaw (1968–80).

Early life and education

One of two children, Francis Reh was born in the Bronx, New York, to Gustave A. and Elizabeth (née Hartnagel) Reh.^[1] His father worked as a truant officer for the New York City Board of Education.^[1] He received his early education at the parochial school of Immaculate Conception Church, and entered Cathedral College at age thirteen.^[1] After graduating from Cathedral College in 1930, he attended St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers for two years before continuing his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.^[1]

Priesthood

Reh was ordained to the priesthood on December 8, 1935.^[2] He earned a Licentiate of Sacred Theology (1936) and a Doctor of Canon Law summa cum laude (1939) from the Pontifical Gregorian University.^[3] Upon his return to the United States in 1939, he served as assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York and curate at St. Patrick's Cathedral for two years.^[3] From 1941 to 1951, he was professor of moral theology and canon law at St. Joseph's Seminary.^[1] He also served as defender of the bond and promoter of justice on the archdiocesan tribunal. He became vice-chancellor in 1951.^[4]

In 1954, Reh was named a papal chamberlain by Pope Pius XII and vice-rector at his alma mater of the North American College in Rome.^[3] He returned to St. Joseph's Seminary in New York in 1958 as its rector.^[4] That same year, he accompanied Cardinal Francis Spellman to Rome for the papal conclave that elected Pope John XXIII.^[4]

Episcopacy

On June 6, 1962, Reh was appointed the ninth Bishop of Charleston, South Carolina.^[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 29 from Cardinal Spellman, with Archbishop John Joseph Maguire and Bishop John Michael Fearns serving as co-consecrators.^[2] At his consecration, he wore the same vestments worn by Cardinal Spellman and Pope Pius XII at their own consecrations.^[5] Between 1962 and 1965, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

On September 5, 1964, Reh was named to succeed Bishop Martin John O'Connor as rector of the North American College.^[2] He was appointed Titular Bishop of Macriana in Mauretania on the same date.^[2] On December 11, 1968, he was appointed bishop of the Saginaw diocese by Pope Paul VI. He served as bishop until his resignation on April 29, 1980. He was succeeded as bishop of Saginaw by Kenneth Untener.^[6]

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