- Leroy Matthiesen
infobox bishopstyles
name=Leroy Matthiesen
dipstyle=The Most Reverend
offstyle=His Excellency
relstyle=Monsignor
deathstyle=not applicable |Leroy Matthiesen (born
June 11 ,1921 ) is a theologian, political and social activist, and the retired CatholicBishop ofAmarillo, Texas .Matthiesen was born in
Olfen, Texas .He is notable for pursuing unpopular causes within the concerns of Catholicism, including a stay of execution for the killer of a
nun , and providing sacramental duties for homosexuals, as well as influencing the resignation of Catholic workers at thePantex plant in the 1980s. Matthiesen has been in the news recently for advocating increased benefits for certain former priests from hisdiocese , that have been defrocked due to allegations of sexual misconduct.Facing budget cuts, recently the Amarillo diocese slashed the stipend payments for ousted priests from $1600 to $100 USD. Reacting on what he considers a moral obligation, Matthiesen seeks to provide aid to three priests, Dennis Boylan, John Salazar, and Jim Hutzler.
He has shared a speaking stage with
Elie Wiesel , and appeared on the cover ofLife Magazine .
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