Greensburg bishop addresses flock ahead of September move to Cleveland Diocese

Barbara Piasecky of Hempfield was saddened by the news last week that Bishop Edward Malesic is slated to leave the Greensburg diocese to serve in the same role for the larger Catholic community in Cleveland.

Initially, she said, “it was a gut punch.”

But she was more at peace with the pending move while arriving for Mass Sunday morning at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Greensburg.

“Everything always happens the way it’s supposed to,” she said. “He’s meant to do for Cleveland what he did here.

“He brought people together and breathed new life into all of our institutions and celebrations that we already did. He’s very personable. He connects with people and makes you feel a part of the community.”

Malesic said he, likewise, is “truly sad to be leaving the Diocese of Greensburg” in a video message to parishioners included in a live stream of Sunday’s Mass.

”This will not be an easy transition for me,” he said, but added, “I cannot say no to God’s will for me. Your prayers will make the change easier.”

Malesic said the July 1 phone call alerting him to his appointment as the 12th bishop of the Cleveland diocese came as a shock, as did his appointment five years earlier to the Greensburg diocese, as its fifth bishop.

“At the time I was the pastor of Holy Infant Parish, a relatively small parish just outside of Harrisburg,” he said. “We had just broken ground for a new church. The footers had just been poured a few days earlier, and the Pope was asking me to leave without finishing the job.

“God had other plans than mine, and what could I say other than yes? … I had only ever wanted to be a parish priest. I hope I still am just a simple parish priest at heart.”

Michael Midlik of Greensburg said local parishioners have come to appreciate Malesic’s down-to-earth manner.

“He does not live with the pomp and circumstance of the bishop seat, which is what makes him a great leader,” Midlik said. “He listens to everybody before he makes decisions.”

When Malesic began his duties in the Greensburg Diocese, he moved in with other priests in the rectory at St. Paul Parish, in the Carbon section of Hempfield — instead of in a seven-bedroom, two-story home that was used by several of his predecessors and has since been sold for $725,000.

Mark Klingensmith of Greensburg said Malesic’s pending Sept. 14 move to Cleveland represents a “huge loss” for the Greensburg diocese. He praised Malesic’s support for area Catholic schools.

“He’s reconnected with the people and has rejuvenated Catholic education with his enthusiasm,” Klingensmith said.

Malesic recently announced a record $4.1 million in scholarship donations to diocesan schools.

Malesic acknowledged he’d been nervous about taking on the role of bishop in Greensburg.

“Over these last five years, you have helped me to learn how to be a bishop,” he told parishioners.

“I have been very happy here. In fact, I thought I would die here,” Malesic said, noting he arranged for a grave site in Greensburg.

“I will never forget my time in the Diocese of Greensburg and the wonderful friends I have made here,” he said. “You will always be close to my heart.”

Plans are under way for a farewell event for Malesic, though it will be scaled back because of restrictions related to the covid-19 pandemic.

After Malesic’s installation in Cleveland, the Diocese of Greensburg’s College of Consultors, a priest advisory body, will meet to elect a diocesan administrator who will serve in that capacity until a new bishop is appointed for the Greensburg diocese.

Diocese officials note it could take anywhere from three months to a year to finalize that appointment.