The Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, bishop of Harrisburg, a Pottsville native, was admitted to the hospital April 22. A diocesan spokesman released a statement Thursday stating that the bishop was not feeling well and doctors suggested routine tests and rest. No other details of the bishop’s illness have been made available other than he is expected to be discharged from the hospital “in the near future.”
Gainer, 66, was born Aug. 24, 1947, in Pottsville, a son of Anna M. Meko and the late Francis F. Gainer. He attended Mary, Queen of Peace Grade School, Pottsville; graduated from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia; attended the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy; and was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown on May 19, 1973. He was Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky, from 2003 until he was appointed to Harrisburg in 2014 to fill the vacancy left by the death of the Most Rev. Joseph P. McFadden.
The Harrisburg diocese said that wishes for Bishop’s health can be made via comment on Facebook at Diocese of Harrisburg or sent to him at 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111-3710.