Msgr. Nevin Klinger

THE REVEREND MONSIGNOR NEVIN J. KLINGER, J.C.L., age 71, Pastor Emeritus, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bethlehem, died on 4 December 2025 at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem.

Born in Bethlehem, Monsignor Klinger was the son of the late Floyd N. Klinger and the late Kathryn A. (Respher) Klinger. Preceding Monsignor Klinger in death, in addition to his parents, were his brother, David N. Klinger, and sister, Katherine A. (Klinger) Johnson.

Monsignor Klinger is survived by his brothers Robert J. Klinger (Georgine), Michael J. Klinger (Martha), James P. Klinger, his sister Mariann Klinger, his brother-in-law Andrew Johnson, and many nieces and nephews.

Monsignor Klinger attended Saint Ursula Elementary School, Fountain Hill. He graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School, Bethlehem and entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. Completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972, Monsignor matriculated to Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, completing his Master of Divinity degree in 1979, and later his Master of Arts in Theology at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1982. He also attained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, in 1987.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on 18 September 1982 by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph M. McShea, D.D., Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.

Monsignor Klinger's first assignment was Parochial Vicar, Saint Canicus Parish, Mahanoy City. He also served as Parochial Vicar, Saints Simon and Jude Parish, Bethlehem. He later served as Chaplain, Saint Christopher Catholic Newman Center, Kutztown University, and Catholic Campus Ministry at Albright College, Reading.

Monsignor served as Vice Chancellor and Chancellor of the Diocese of Allentown, as well as Judge on the Diocesan Tribunal. He also served as Administrator, Holy Ghost Parish, Bethlehem.

Monsignor was released for service to the Holy See and served on the staff of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as well as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Rome, Italy. He later served as Vice Rector of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, as well as Assistant Secretary General of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, New York, New York.

Monsignor Klinger's first assignment as Pastor was Immaculate Conception Parish, Douglassville. He later served as Pastor, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bethlehem. Monsignor Klinger was named Pastor Emeritus, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Bethlehem, on 17 June 2025.

In 1990, he was named a "Chaplain of His Holiness" with the title "Monsignor" by Pope John Paul II. In 2008, he was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Monsignor Klinger also served as Assistant Director of Youth Ministry; Member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission; Member, Task Force on Chastity; Member, Permanent Diaconate Advisory Board; President, Reading Central Catholic High School Advisory Board; and Spiritual Director, Order of Malta, in the Diocese of Allentown.

Services: Relatives, friends, clergy and religious, are invited to his viewings on Wednesday, December 10th from 3:00 to 7:30 PM followed by a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM and on Thursday morning Dec.11th beginning at 9:00 AM until 10:45AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM all at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike Bethlehem, PA. Burial will be private for family at Holy Ghost Cemetery, Bethlehem.

The Mass will be live-streamed. To watch the Mass, please click on the "Photo and Video" tab or scroll down to Webcast and click on the button. The service will go live at 11:00AM on Thursday, December 11th. Please be aware that the video is time delayed.

Contributions: in memory of Msgr. Klinger may be made to Holy Family Manor, 1200 Spring Street, Bethlehem 18018 or to Assumption of the BVM Church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem PA 18015.