PITTSBURGH - The Very Rev. Paul Bradley was named auxiliary bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh by Pope John Paul II.

Bradley, 59, was ordained a priest in 1971, and had been general secretary and vicar general for the diocese since November 2003.

Auxiliary bishop is often a steppingstone for a priest to become a bishop, though often not in his home diocese. Bradley is a native of Glassport, a small working-class suburb.

Bradley has served in several parishes and has held other administrative roles in the diocese, including director of the Office for Family Life and secretary for Human Services.