Michael William Hyle

Michael Hyle was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to John and Elizabeth (née McCloskey) Hyle.[1] He attended St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland and afterwards St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1922.[1] He then furthered his studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College and the Urban College of Propaganda, earning a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1926.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1927.[2] After doing pastoral work in Washington, D.C. from 1927 to 1943, he served as pastor in Libertytown, Maryland (1943–1946),[3] Bradshaw, Maryland (1946–1957), and in Baltimore (1957–1958).[1]

On July 3, 1958, Hyle was appointed Coadjutor Bishop, with right of succession, of Wilmington, Delaware, and Titular Bishop of Christopolis by Pope Pius XII.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 24 at the Basilica of the Assumption (Baltimore) from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Archbishop Albert Gregory Meyer and Bishop Jerome Aloysius Sebastian serving as co-consecrators.[2] As coadjutor, he also served as vicar general of the diocese and pastor of Christ Our King Church.[1]

Upon the retirement of Bishop Edmond John Fitzmaurice on March 2, 1960, Hyle succeeded him, effective immediately, as the fifth Bishop of Wilmington.[2] He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965.[4] He dedicated much of his administration to the implementation of the Council's reforms, encouraging the formation of parish councils and the ecumenical movement.[4] He also established St. Mark's High School (a diocesan high school) and the University of Delaware's Newman Centre (Thomas More Oratory).[4]

Hyle later died at age 66; he was the first Bishop of Wilmington to die while still in office.