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 Most Reverend
Michael A. Saltarelli
8th Bishop of the
Diocese of Wilmington
January 17, 1932 - October 8, 2009
Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on January 17, 1932 to Michael A. and Caroline Marzitello Saltarelli. Bishop Saltarelli is one of seven children.
He attended Holy Rosary Elementary School and Ferris High School in Jersey City. In 1956 he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Seton Hall University and began his study of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, NJ. In 1975 he received a Master's Degree in Religious Studies from Manhattan College.
Archbishop Thomas A. Boland ordained him to the priesthood in Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, NJ on May 28, 1960. He served as an associate pastor at Holy Family Church in Nutley, New Jersey from June 1960 to August 1977. He served as pastor of Our Lady of Assumption Church in Bayonne, New Jersey from 1977 until August 1982.
Archbishop Peter L. Gerety appointed him Executive Director for Pastoral Services in the Archdiocese of Newark in 1982. In 1984, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Saltarelli a Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor. On June 1, 1985, he was appointed pastor of Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Cedar Grove, New Jersey.
In November 1987, Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick appointed him Vicar for Priests. Bishop Saltarelli has served as Dean of North Essex, Dean of Bayonne and Dean of West Essex. He served two terms as a member of the Priests' Personnel Board, one term as President of that Board and also was a member of the Archdiocesan School Board.
The appointment of Bishop Saltarelli as Titular Bishop of Mesarfelta and Auxiliary Bishop of Newark was announced on June 12, 1990. He also became the Rector of Sacred Heart Cathedral while continuing to serve as Vicar for Priests. In 1992, he became the National Episcopal Moderator of the Holy Name Society. He also served as New Jersey State Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus.
On November 21, 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Saltarelli to be the Eighth Bishop of the See of Wilmington.
Bishop Saltarelli presided over an era of expansion and growth in the Diocese of Wilmington. A three-year capital campaign Bringing the Vision to Life addressed the needs of a growing diocesan family of nearly 200,000 to build, renovate and expand churches, schools and other facilities throughout the Diocese.
Bishop Saltarelli has made significant contributions on national Catholic discussions concerning the sanctity of human life in the womb and all its stages, the need to reach out to inactive Catholics, the need for a consistent use of the Catholic funeral rites and the importance of solid Catholic marriage preparation. Bishop Saltarelli's Pastoral Statement "How to Reach Inactive Catholics" was the lead contribution in the January 27, 2000 edition of Origins.
In accordance with Canon Law, Bishop Saltarelli submitted his resignation to the Holy Father upon reaching the age of 75. On July 7, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Bishop Saltarelli's resignation and appointed the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly as the Ninth Bishop of Wilmington. Bishop Saltarelli served as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese until Bishop Malooly's installation on September 8, 2008.
Bishop Saltarelli passed away on October 8, 2009.
We invite you to listen to audio from Masses honoring Bishop Saltarelli
Click here to hear the homily given by the Most Rev. John O. Barres, Bishop of Allentown, at the Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Saltarelli on October 14, 2009.
Click here to hear the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly’s expression of gratitude and final commendation at the conclusion of the Mass of Christian Burial for Bishop Saltarelli on October 14, 2009.
Click here to hear Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick’s Committal Service recorded at All Saints Cemetery on October 14, 2009.
Click here to hear the homily given by the Rev. Msgr. J. Thomas Cini, VG, at the October 12, 2009 evening Mass in honor of Bishop Saltarelli.
Click here to hear the homily given by the Rev. Msgr. Clement P. Lemon, VP, at the October 13, 2009 Catholic Schools Mass in honor of Bishop Saltarelli.
Click here to hear the homily given by the Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Rebman VG, at the October 13, 2009 evening Mass in honor of Bishop Saltarelli.
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