RALEIGH, --- The man who served as the fourth bishop of the Raleigh Diocese died Monday. Bishop emeritus F. Joseph Gossman, was 83.  Gossman served as Bishop of Raleigh from 1975 until 2006, when he retired.

Gossman was born in Baltimore on April 1, 1930. He attended St. Charles College and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1952.

He continued studies at the North American College in Rome, obtaining his Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome, in 1956.

"I ask the faithful in the Diocese to join me in praying for the eternal happiness of Bishop Gossman," said current Bishop Michael Burbidge in a statement from the Diocese. "and to thank God for the gifts of his priestly example and faithful ministry as Bishop."