Retired Polish National Catholic Church Bishop Thomas J. Gnat Dies in Pennsylvania

Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Gnat, a retired Bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church, passed away at Geisinger Mountain View Care Center in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Katherine Stanczyk, celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on April 4.

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Walenty and Rose Radecki Gnat, Thomas J. Gnat pursued his priesthood studies at the Savonarola Seminary in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was ordained a priest of the Polish National Catholic Church on September 18, 1958, by Prime Bishop Leon Grochowski in St. Stanislaus Cathedral, Scranton.

From 1958 to 1959, Father Gnat served as assistant pastor at St. Stanislaus Cathedral. In 1959, he became pastor of St. Francis PNC Parish in Washington, D.C., and later served as administrator of Holy Cross PNC Parish in Baltimore. During his time in Washington, he represented the Polish National Catholic Church in various capacities, including assisting at the laying of a wreath on Woodrow Wilson’s tomb and attending the Installation of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. He also participated in the National Council of Churches and represented the Church at the White House Conference of Civil Rights.

In 1978, Father Gnat was appointed a senior priest and elected bishop of the Polish National Catholic Church at the General Synod. He was consecrated a bishop in St. Stanislaus Cathedral, Scranton, by Prime Bishop Francis Rowinski on November 30, 1978. As Diocesan bishop of the Eastern Diocese, he oversaw parishes in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, and served as pastor of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manchester, New Hampshire, until his retirement in 2011.

After retiring, Bishop Gnat and his wife moved to Dunmore, Pennsylvania. Until 2016, they remained active in their community, attending high school plays, community theater productions, and religious concerts. They also enjoyed sightseeing and visiting local attractions such as Williamsport, the Hiawatha, the Dorflinger Glass Museum, the Yuengling Brewery, and a scenic boat ride around Lake Wallenpaupack.

Bishop Gnat’s life and ministry exemplified service and dedication to his faith community, reflecting the call to justice, mercy, and humble service found in Micah 6:8.

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