Retired Bishop Of Boise, Sylvester Treinen, Dies

Bishop Sylvester Treinen, retired bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese of Boise, died Monday at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Missoula of viral pneumonia. He was 78.

Treinen had been fishing in Montana with his friend, retired Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen of Seattle, when he became ill.

Treinen spent more than a week in the hospital in Anaconda, Mont., but was transferred to Missoula at his doctors’ request.

He was placed in intensive care last Thursday and was put on a respirator. Doctors had hoped the respirator would help him fight the virus.

Treinen served as bishop of the diocese of Boise for almost 27 years.

He was born in Donnelly, Minn., Nov. 19, 1917. He was raised in Bismarck, N.D., earned a bachelor of arts degree from St. Paul’s Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1946 and was ordained to the priesthood June 11, 1946, for the diocese of Bismarck.

In his early years as a priest, he served in parishes, did some coaching and was involved in Boy Scouting.

In 1950, he became personal secretary to the bishop of Bismarck and later became chancellor. He returned to parish work in 1959.

Pope John XXIII named Treinen the fifth bishop of the diocese of Boise in 1962. Shortly after his installation, he was called to Rome to attend the Second Vatican Council. He was one of the few remaining participants of Vatican II prior to his death.

Under Treinen’s leadership, the Catholic education office, permanent diaconate, mission in Cali, Colombia, and Hispanic ministry office were established. Bishop Kelly High School, Nazareth Retreat Center and student centers at colleges and universities in Moscow, Boise and Pocatello, Idaho, also were built.

While Treinen was bishop of the diocese of Boise, 53 priests and 36 deacons were ordained, 20 parishes and stations were established around Idaho and the Catholic population in the state grew from 45,300 to 73,300.

Treinen’s body will be brought to St. John’s Cathedral in Boise this Sunday.

On Monday, no Masses will be celebrated in Boise except at the cathedral.