WILLIAM G. BATZ APPOINTED SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL CONCERNS FOR DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH – Dr. William G. Batz, formerly Chief Operating Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, has been appointed Secretary for Social Concerns for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“We are blessed to have a man of such deep faith, extraordinary accomplishments and clear understanding of Catholic social teaching to lead the diocesan Secretariat for Social Concerns,” said Bishop Paul J. Bradley, Vicar General and General Secretary of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, in announcing the appointment of Dr. Batz.

“Bill Batz is respected throughout our community not only for his leadership in business, but especially for his dedication to the work of Catholic social justice and for his commitment to social service outreach. He will bring great expertise and phenomenal skills to this critical diocesan work,” Bishop Bradley said.

Bishop David A. Zubik, bishop of Pittsburgh, praised the long time community leader. “I have worked with Bill Batz on a number of projects in the past. I have known him to be a man of great faith. This is a man with a profound zeal for service in Christ’s name. It was for that reason that I asked him to take on these responsibilities and it is my deep joy to welcome him to diocesan service.”

Dr. Batz succeeds as Secretary for Social Concerns Susan L. Rauscher, who was recently named Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

“I am deeply honored by the confidence Bishop Zubik and Bishop Bradley have placed in me,” said Dr. Batz. “The work of the Secretariat for Social Concerns focuses on the dignity of every human life, bringing fundamental Catholic principles to the public arena. To be a part of such important work in our world today is a tremendous responsibility, as well as a tremendous gift.”

As Secretary for Social Concerns, Dr. Batz advocates and educates to legislative, church and civic bodies on social, community and public policy issues. He also serves as diocesan liaison to the Auberle, the Pauline Auberle Foundation, Catholic Charities and McGuire Memorial Home.

He will oversee the diocesan Office for Black Catholic Ministries, Office for Ethnic Ministries, and the Tridentine Mass Community. He is also responsible for the diocesan Department for Social Advocacy and Convening, which includes the Office of the Community Service Liaison, the Office of the Health Care Liaison and the diocesan Respect Life office.

Born in Rochester, NY, Dr. Batz was a one-time Passionist seminarian who later graduated from St. John Fisher College, Rochester. He earned a Master’s degree and Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota. In 1977, he was awarded an MBA from the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago.

After executive positions with Keycorp and Mellon Bank Corporation, Dr. Batz joined Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh where he served as Chief Operating Officer. During his term at the bank, he oversaw a program that distributed $200 million in grants and constructed more than 30,000 units of housing for low-income families since 1990.

Dr. Batz has served on the board of the Pittsburgh Catholic and was a member of the board of Catholic Charities for six years, including a two-year term as President. In 2005, he was the recipient of the Caritas Award for Service by Bishop Donald W. Wuerl for his work with Catholic Charities.

Dr. Batz is presently a candidate for ordination to the Diaconate for the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 2011.

Author, professor and public speaker, Dr. Batz has been married since 1972 to Pamela Carey Batz and they are the parents of five daughters.

Dr. Batz is known to retreatants at St. Paul of the Cross for his workshops on prayer and lay spirituality.

He and his wife and daughters are members of St. Louise de Marillac Parish, Upper St. Clair, where he has served as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, cantor and president of the Parish Finance Council. His wife, Pam, is principal coordinator of the RCIA program at St. Louise de Marillac.

Dr. Batz will assume his new role in mid-June.