William Hughes (bishop of Covington)

William Anthony Hughes was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Covington in Kentucky from 1979 to 1995.

Biography

William Hughes was born on September 23, 1921, in Youngstown, Ohio, to James and Anna Hughes, both Irish immigrants. After attending Ursuline High School in Youngstown, he studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland, where he graduated summa cum laude. He completed his theological studies at St. Mary Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio.

Hughes was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Youngstown by Bishop James A. McFadden on April 6, 1946, at St. Columba's Cathedral in Youngstown, Ohio. After his ordination, the diocese assigned Hughes as a curate at St. Charles Parish in Boardman, Ohio, and St. Joseph Parish in Massillon, Ohio. In 1956, Hughes earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. That same year, he was appointed as the first principal of Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown. In 1965, Hughes was appointed superintendent of schools in the diocese and vicar for education. He was raised to the rank of monsignor by Pope John XXIII in 1961.

On July 23, 1974, Hughes was appointed auxiliary bishop of Youngstown and Titular Bishop of Inis Cathaigh by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on September 12, 1974, from Bishop James William Malone, with Archbishop Joseph Bernardin and Bishop William Michael Cosgrove serving as co-consecrators, at St. Columba's Cathedral.

Hughes was named the eighth bishop of Covington by Pope John Paul II on April 13, 1979. He was installed at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington, Kentucky, on May 8, 1979. During his tenure, Hughes was criticized for inviting pro-choice figures, such as Revered Robert Drinan, a member of the US House of Representatives, and actress Marlo Thomas to speak at church-sponsored events, and for saying mass for gays and lesbians at Chicago in 1992. Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, he served as chair of the Subcommittee on Spiritual Renewal and Continuing Education.

Hughes resigned as bishop of Covington on July 4, 1995. He was succeeded by Bishop Robert William Muench.Hughes died on February 7, 2013. He was buried at St. Mary Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.