Floyd Lawrence Begin (February 5, 1902 – April 26, 1977) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Oakland in California from 1962 until his death in 1977. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland in Ohio from 1947 to 1962. Biography Early life and education Floyd Begin was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the eldest of three children of Peter H. and Stella Agnes (née McFarland) Begin. He received his early education at the parochial schools of St. Columbkille and St. Thomas Aquinas Parishes. Begin attended Cathedral Latin High School in Chardon, Ohio (1916–20) and St. John Cathedral College (1920–22) in Cleveland. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland) in 1920 Begin then studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he served as assistant to the rector during his studies. He earned a Doctorate in Philosophy and Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University. In 1930, Begin received a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Apollinarus University. Priesthood Begin was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Cleveland in Rome on July 31, 1927. Following his return to Ohio, he briefly served as administrator of St. Anthony Parish in Canton. From 1930 to 1938, he served as secretary to Bishop Joseph Schrembs as well as vice-chancellor and pro-vicar general of the diocese. Begin became an officialis of the diocesan tribunal in 1938. He served as director of both the Diocesan Council of Catholic Men and the seventh National Eucharistic Congress. Begin was also chaplain of the Rosemary Home for Crippled Children in Euclid. Ohio, and diocesan vicar for religious. He was named by Pope Pius XI a papal chamberlain in 1934, and raised by Pius XI to the rank of domestic prelate in 1936. Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland On March 22, 1947, Begin was appointed an auxiliary bishop of Cleveland and titular bishop of Sala by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on May 1, 1947. from Bishop Edward Hoban, with Bishops James A. McFadden and Joseph McGucken serving as co-consecrators. Begin was named vicar general of the diocese in March 1948 and pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Cleveland in January 1949. During his tenure at St. Agnes, Begin advocated more services for and acceptance of African Americans, who composed most of the parishioners at