Funeral arrangements announced for longtime Cleveland diocese Bishop Anthony M. Pilla

The smiles of Anthony Pilla in 1994. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony Pilla begins the celebration of the Mass marking his 25th anniversary as head of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese with incense on the altar at St. John Cathedral, on Friday, Jan 6, 2006. Plain Dealer file photo.

Anthony Pilla makes his way to a confirmation service for 21 at St. Mary Church in Collinwood on May 10, 2006. The native East Sider praised churches such as St. Mary and the nearby Holy Redeemer for their commitment to their neighborhoods. "This area would be much different if it weren't for these two parishes," he said. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony M. Pilla being interviewed in 1986. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony Pilla at founding ceremonies of John Carroll in 1985. Plain Dealer file photo

The Right Reverend J. Clark Grew, II, Bishop of Ohio, The Most Reverend Anthony M. Pilla, Bishop of Cleveland and The Reverend Dr. Marcus J. Miller, Bishop, Northeastern Ohio Synod --After signing the Covenant, the bishops prayed with the assembled at St. Richard's Church on Sunday June 3, 2001. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla in a reflective moment during a press conference at the St. John Cathedral chancery Friday, February 27, 2004. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla in the sacristy at St. John's Cathedral on November 11, 1999. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla, Bishop Emeritus, lays hands on Jonathan Lightfoot during the Rite of Confirmation at Historic St. Peter Church Saturday, October 24, 2009. Plain Dealer file photo.

Retired Bishop Anthony Pilla at the funeral mass of Bishop Richard Lennon at St. John Cathedral before the funeral of Lennon. November 5, 2019. Plain Dealer file photo.

Entering the church in a procession, Bishop Anthony Pilla waves at someone in the congregation at the Celebration of Solemn Vespers on the Occasion of the Installation of The Most Reverend Richard Gerard Lennon as the Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Cleveland, Ohio on May 14, 2006. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla gives a message about the loss of the pope at St. John Cathedral on E9th St, pray during a mass for Pope John Paul II who died, April 2, 2005. Plain Dealer file photo.

Left to right: R. James J. Grandillo, pastor of the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, and the Rev. Deacon Kenneth J. Piechowski, in procession to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. August 12, 1990. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony M. Pilla speaks to the confirmation candidates during The Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption on May 10, 2006. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla, Bishop Emeritus, and Fr. Robert Marrone pray before communion at the 150th Anniversary mass of Historic St. Peter Church Saturday, October 24, 2009. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla, Bishop Emeritus, waits before the mass to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Historic St. Peter Church Saturday, October 24, 2009. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla and Most Rev. James Lyke during the last service at St. Joseph Franciscan Church in 1986. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony Pilla performs the Liturgy of the Eucharist during the last service at St. Benedict Church on June 28, 1993.. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony Pilla, in the conference room of the Chancery of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese on Wednesday, Jan 4, 2006. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla and Sebastian K. J. Lupica both were honored by the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Citizens of the Year in 1991. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony Pilla gives the homily during a healing service held Sunday May 5, 2002. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony Pilla prays at the Celebration of Solemn Vespers on the Occasion of the Installation of The Most Reverend Richard Gerard Lennon as the Tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland at the Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist in Cleveland, Ohio on May 14, 2006. Plain Dealer file photo.

Bishop Anthony M Pilla discusses the needs of older retired nuns in 1988. Plain Dealer file photo

Bishop Anthony Pilla addresses the Congregation at United Pentecostal Church of Christ on March 16, 1997. Plain Dealer file photo.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Diocese of Cleveland has announced funeral services for Bishop Anthony M. Pilla, who died Tuesday at the age of 88.

Vespers, also known as evening prayer, will begin at 3 p.m. Monday at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Cleveland, according to a news release.

Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries will preside and Bishop Martin Amos, a retired bishop of Davenport, Iowa, will deliver the homily. The wake will continue until 7 p.m. in the cathedral.

The funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the cathedral. The Diocese of Cleveland’s current Bishop Edward Malesic will be the main celebrant. Father Edward Estok, pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in North Royalton, will provide the homily.

Both the vespers and funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Diocese of Cleveland’s website. The stream will also be archived.

Pilla will be interred in the Resurrection Chapel in the cathedral.

Pilla was bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland from 1981 to 2006. In a statement Tuesday, Malesic remembered him as a “very warm, kind-hearted and deeply faithful shepherd.”

“He was generous with his time and sharing his knowledge and concern for the diocese with me,” Malesic said in his statement. “As a leader in the national Church, Bishop Pilla was an inspiration and example to me throughout my priesthood and in my years as a bishop. I felt so welcomed by him when I came to the Diocese of Cleveland, a Church that he loved so much. As a leader in the community and a friend to so many, he will be greatly missed.”

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