Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann, a former Los Angeles auxiliary bishop and bishop of Santa Rosa who resigned in 1999, died Oct. 22 at age 68 of pancreatic cancer.

He died at Holy Trinity Benedictine Monastery in St. David, Arizona, near Tucson, where he had gone to live a life of repentance following his resignation after admitting a sexual relationship with one of his priests.

Born in Pasadena, the third of eight children of Helen Scott and J. Howard Ziemann (the first dean of Loyola University Law School), he was named George Patrick after his two uncles who were diocesan priests. (His maternal grandfather was Joseph Scott, one of Los Angeles' leading Catholic and civic figures of the early 20th century.) After attending elementary school at Mayfield, Sacred Heart and St. Andrew's, he entered St. John's Seminary in Camarillo.

Following his ordination on May 29, 1967, he was assigned as an associate pastor at St. Matthias Church, Huntington Park. He later taught at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, and in 1974 was appointed to the faculty of Our Lady Queen of Angels High School Seminary in Mission Hills where he became vice-rector and dean of studies.

Named an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles in 1986, he was installed as Santa Barbara's Episcopal Vicar on June 14, 1987. During his tenure in Santa Barbara, he was known as a mentor to many lay leaders who chose vocations in church ministry.

In early 1992, he was appointed to Santa Rosa. At the time, he said his first priority would be "to pray for and with its people, to listen and learn from them, and to serve them in the spirit of Christ, the exemplary servant-leader." As he did in Santa Barbara, he encouraged many in the Northern California diocese to use their gifts in church ministry.

Bishop Ziemann announced his resignation as head of the Diocese of Santa Rosa on July 22, 1999, admitting the following day to having a sexual relationship with a priest suing him and the diocese for $8 million for alleged sexual harassment and coercion.

The bishop maintained that the relationship was consensual but denied coercion. The civil lawsuit was eventually settled for $535,000. Prosecutors decided against filing any criminal charges against the bishop.

After Bishop Ziemann's resignation, questions arose about his handling of church finances. Church officials discovered the diocese had accrued at least $15 million in debt during his tenure due to poor oversight and overspending. The bishop issued an apology to Catholics for "the pain" he caused the diocese "because of my failure to abide by my sacred vows and also because of my failure regarding the management of diocesan funds."

In May 2000, Bishop Daniel Walsh was installed to head the diocese, and he continued the programs set in motion by Archbishop William Levada, head of the San Francisco Archdiocese at the time who acted as interim administrator for Santa Rosa. Two years ago, Bishop Walsh announced the diocese had paid off its debts and restored funds to its parishes, cemeteries and schools.

According to Benedictine Father Henri Capdeville, who heads the monastery where Bishop Ziemann spent the last years of his life, the members of the Benedictine community were impressed with the bishop's humility, which included washing dishes in the kitchen. He may never be forgiven by people, the priest added, but "he made reparation by giving nine years to our community and the Lord…. It deepened his spirituality."

When news of Bishop Ziemann's pancreatic cancer was reported, Bishop Walsh told Santa Rosa's Press Democrat daily newspaper: "Like all of us, he had his faults. At the same time, he did a lot of good.… Now is the time to have him in our prayers." Cardinal Roger Mahony echoed that sentiment in a statement issued to archdiocesan priests Oct. 22 asking them to remember the bishop in their Masses and prayers.

In reaction to his death, a spokeswoman for the Santa Rosa Diocese told Catholic News Service that Stan Cordero, current diocesan director of youth ministry who also served in the post during Bishop Ziemann's tenure, said the late bishop "spoke directly to people's hearts and that made a big difference to young people."

Bishop Ziemann is survived by many family members including five brothers, a sister, three sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and nieces and nephews. The family suggests donations be made to a favorite charity, including Holy Trinity Monastery, PO Box 298, St. David, AZ 85630. Funeral services were private.

Compiled by Paula Doyle and Catholic News Service.