Pittsburgh's Bishop Zubik to undergo back surgery
Pittsburgh’s leader of the local Catholic Church will undergo spinal surgery Monday at UPMC Mercy Hospital.
According to a news release from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bishop David Zubik, 72, has suffered from continuing problems with collapsing discs, and the surgery should address those. Zubik has a history of back issues, including completing muliple surgeries since 2010.
“My walking has become increasingly more labored,” Zubik said. “At the Easter Vigil in St. Paul Cathedral, I had a very unfortunate fall caused by chronic weakness in my right leg.”
Following his surgery, Zubik will require an extended time of recovery, which will keep him from public appearances in the short term, the diocese said.
This will be his fifth back surgery, and the diocese said Zubik has recovered well from previous surgeries. He last had surgery in February to repair a “significant tear” in his left shoulder and biceps. In 2010, the bishop underwent surgery to repair a herniated disc, which was followed by surgery for a similar but separate issue nine months later.
Even though his public appearances will be limited after the surgery, Zubik still should be able to conduct diocesan business from his offices in Pittsburgh’s West End.
“I am looking forward to successful results so that I can be more steady on my feet in my service to all of our faithful,” Zubik said.
The diocese will provide an update after the back surgery is complete.
Ryan Deto is a TribLive reporter covering politics, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County news. A native of California’s Bay Area, he joined the Trib in 2022 after spending more than six years covering Pittsburgh at the Pittsburgh City Paper, including serving as managing editor. He can be reached at rdeto@triblive.com.
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