Most Reverend Leonard P. Blair, STD
Bishop of The Toledo DioceseBishop Leonard Paul Blair, born in Detroit on April 12, 1949,  was named the Seventh Bishop of Toledo on October 7, 2003, and installed in the Diocese of Toledo on December 4, 2003.

Bishop Blair was ordained to the priesthood in June of 1976 following studies at Sacred Heart Seminary College, Detroit; the North American College, Rome; and the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Bishop Blair holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History from Sacred Heart Seminary College; a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University; a Licentiate in Theology (S.T.L.) with a specialization in Patristics and the History of Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University; and a Doctorate in Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), Rome. Bishop Blair has served as Pastor of St. Paul Parish, Grosse Point Farms, since July of 1997. Prior to that, he served for three years as Secretary to Cardinal Edmund Szoka and as a staff member of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, Vatican City State.

Bishop Blair's previous assignments include: Ecumenical Officer for the Archdiocese of Detroit; Dean of Studies and Assistant Professor of Theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary College; service in the Papal Secretariat of State Office, Vatican City; Administrative Secretary to the Archbishop of Detroit; Vicar General and Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit; Consultor, Archdiocese of Detroit; Instructor in Church History and Patristics, St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth; and Archivist for the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Bishop Blair also served as Pastoral Administrator at St. Christine Parish, Detroit; Associate Pastor at St. Paul Parish, Grosse Pointe Farms; Associate Pastor at St. Christopher Parish, Detroit; Associate Pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Harper Woods; and as a Deacon at St. Martin de Porres Parish, Warren.

Father Michael Billian was appointed Episcopal Vicar and Moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Toledo on December 4, 2003. Prior to these appointments, Father Billian served as Vicar General and Chancellor, a post he assumed in 1999 under the late Bishop James R. Hoffman. In his role as Episcopal Vicar and Moderator of the Curia Father Billian assists the Bishop in coordinating the activities of the diocesan secretariats as well as the operations of the Catholic Center. On behalf of the Bishop he coordinates issues involving temporalities such as property, construction, and insurance. He advises the Bishop on parish matters and diocesan personnel appointments. He is the Bishop's delegate for implementing the norms of To Protect and To Heal (sexual abuse of minors).

Father Billian has served as the Pastor of The Historic Church of Saint Patrick in downtown Toledo, assigned to the parish in 1997 he continued in that role until 2005. He also served as the Pastor and President of Central Catholic High School, a position he held from 1987 to 1999.

During his tenure at Toledo Central Catholic High School, he also served as Chaplain of Saint Louis Parish in East Toledo and Religious Education Consultant to the Office of Catholic Youth and School Services. Prior to that, he served as Associate Pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Fremont and Assistant Principal and Spiritual Director of Saint Joseph Central Catholic High School.

Active in civic affairs, Father Billian has been recognized by several organizations for his leadership and dedication to enhancing the quality of life in Northwest Ohio. He serves on numerous boards and committees, including the Mercy College of Northwest Ohio Board of Trustees, Make-A-Wish Board of Directors, Farley Healthcare Corporation Board of Trustees and Italian American Sports Club Board of Directors.

A native of Toledo, Father Billian was ordained a Roman Catholic priest June 9, 1984.
He graduated from Holy Spirit Seminary High School in 1976 and enrolled at the Pontifical College Josephinum where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies. He also holds a Master of Education Degree from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Divinity Degree from The Athenaeum of Ohio, Mount Saint Mary's Seminary of the West, in Cincinnati.