Bishop William S. Skylstad
Author
Bishop William S. Skylstad is Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Spokane and a former president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Ordained to the priesthood in 1960, he has spent more than six decades faithfully serving the Church as a parish priest, seminary rector, diocesan leader, and bishop. He served as Bishop of Yakima from 1977 to 1990 before being appointed the fifth bishop of Spokane, where he led the diocese until his retirement in 2010.
Throughout his ministry, Bishop Skylstad has been recognized for his commitment to pastoral leadership, evangelization, and service to those in need. Even in retirement, he has remained active in ministry, offering spiritual guidance through Catholic Charities and continuing to serve the Church in various capacities. In 2025, Providence Health Care honored him with the Sr. Peter Claver Award in recognition of his lifetime of humble service.
Bishop Skylstad's work with Ascension includes the Manual of Indulgences, a practical guide that helps Catholics better understand the Church's teaching on indulgences and grow in the life of grace.