Paul Francis Tanner

Paul Francis Tanner (January 15, 1905 – July 29, 1994) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine in Florida from 1968 to 1979.

[1]Returning to Milwaukee, Tanner served as a chaplain and professor of religion at St. Mary's Provincial Motherhouse and as a curate at Immaculate Conception Parish.

[1] In 1941, Tanner joined the National Catholic Welfare Conference (NCWC) where he served as assistant director of the Youth Department.

[3] His installation took place at the Cathedral of St. Augustine on March 27, 1968, a ceremony attended by Archbishops Luigi Raimondi and Coleman Carroll, representatives of the Protestant and Jewish communities, and Florida Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr.[4] Following the unexpected death of Pope John Paul I, Tanner reacted with "shock and surprise, even horror...It's a reminder that we are just one heartbeat away from eternity.

"[5] Tanner's resignation as bishop of St. Augustine was accepted by Pope John Paul II on April 21, 1979.