The Saint Paul Seminary joins the Diocese of Rapid City and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in mourning the passing of Bishop Peter M. Muhich, who passed away Saturday, Feb. 17 at the age of 62.
“In trusting his diocese’s seminarians to The Saint Paul Seminary, Bishop Muhich quickly became a great friend of our community and was a true example of a joyful, Catholic leader,” seminary rector Fr. Joseph Taphorn said. “We pray for the repose of his soul and for all those he leaves behind on this earth, especially his family, seminarians and Catholics in the Diocese of Rapid City.”
An Eveleth, Minnesota native, Muhich attended St. John Vianney College Seminary in St. Paul then completed his major seminary formation at the American College of The Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Duluth in 1989.
Pope Francis appointed him bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City in 2020.
Last February, Muhich celebrated the installation of nine seminarians as lectors at The Saint Paul Seminary. “With your help,” he said during his homily, “others will come to know God our Father and His son Jesus Christ who He sent, and so be able to reach eternal life.”
The seminary’s prayers are with the good bishop now that he may reach the glory of eternity to which he so passionately gave witness during his ministry as a priest and bishop.