Edmond Heelan
Encyclopedia
Edmond Heelan was an Irish
-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Sioux City
from 1920 until his death in 1948.
, County Limerick
, to John and Anne (née Quish) Heelan. He studied philosophy
and theology
at All Hallows College
in Dublin, and was ordained
to the priesthood
on June 24, 1890. He then came to the United States
, where he became a curate
(1890–1893) and rector
(1893-18897) at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque
, Iowa
. He was pastor
of Sacred Heart Church in Fort Dodge
from 1897 to 1919.
On December 21, 1918, Heelan was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
of Sioux City
and Titular Bishop
of Gerasa by Pope Benedict XV
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on April 8, 1919 from Archbishop James Keane
, with Bishops James J. Davis
and Patrick McGovern
servign as co-consecrators
. As an auxiliary, he served as rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany.
Following the death of Bishop Philip Joseph Garrigan
, Heelan was named the second Bishop of Sioux City
on March 8, 1920. During his nearly thirty-year tenure, he guided the diocese through the Great Depression
and World War II
, and greatly expanded Catholic education. He died at age 80.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Sioux City
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City is the Roman Catholic diocese for the northwestern quarter of the state of Iowa, US The diocese comprises 24 counties in northwestern Iowa, and it covers an area of ....
from 1920 until his death in 1948.
Biography
Edmond Heelan was born in EltonElton
Elton is a place name that dates back to the early Middle Ages. It is of Anglo-Saxon origin and in most cases derives from either "Ella's Town" or possibly "Eel Town".Elton may refer to:-Places:Canada* Elton, ManitobaIreland* Elton, Co...
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, to John and Anne (née Quish) Heelan. He studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at All Hallows College
All Hallows College
All Hallows College is a Roman Catholic college located in Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland. All Hallows is one of six linked colleges of Dublin City University, meaning that the college's degrees are validated and accredited by the university.-History:...
in Dublin, and was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on June 24, 1890. He then came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he became a curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
(1890–1893) and rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
(1893-18897) at St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. He was pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Sacred Heart Church in Fort Dodge
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Fort Dodge is a city and county seat of Webster County, Iowa, United States, along the Des Moines River. The population was 25,206 in the 2010 census, an increase from 25,136 in the 2000 census. Fort Dodge is a major commercial center for North Central and Northwest Iowa. It is located on U.S...
from 1897 to 1919.
On December 21, 1918, Heelan was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Sioux City
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City is the Roman Catholic diocese for the northwestern quarter of the state of Iowa, US The diocese comprises 24 counties in northwestern Iowa, and it covers an area of ....
and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Gerasa by Pope Benedict XV
Pope Benedict XV
Pope Benedict XV , born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, reigned as Pope from 3 September 1914 to 22 January 1922...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on April 8, 1919 from Archbishop James Keane
James Keane (Archbishop)
- External links :...
, with Bishops James J. Davis
James J. Davis (Catholic bishop)
James J. Davis was a 20th-century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the third bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1906 to 1926.-Early life and ministry:...
and Patrick McGovern
Patrick Aloysius Alphonsus McGovern
Patrick Aloysius Alphonsus McGovern was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Cheyenne from 1912 until his death.-Biography:...
servign as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. As an auxiliary, he served as rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany.
Following the death of Bishop Philip Joseph Garrigan
Philip Joseph Garrigan
Philip Joseph Garrigan was a Roman Catholic clergyman.Garrigan was born in Whitegate, Ireland in 1840, he came to the United States with his parents, and received his elementary education in the public schools of Lowell, Massachusetts. He pursued his classical course at St...
, Heelan was named the second Bishop of Sioux City
Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux City is the Roman Catholic diocese for the northwestern quarter of the state of Iowa, US The diocese comprises 24 counties in northwestern Iowa, and it covers an area of ....
on March 8, 1920. During his nearly thirty-year tenure, he guided the diocese through the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and greatly expanded Catholic education. He died at age 80.