Edmond John Fitzmaurice Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Most Reverend
Edmond John Fitzmaurice
Archbishop Of:Archbishop (personal title),
Bishop of Wilmington
See:Diocese of Wilmington
Enthroned:November 30, 1925
Ended:March 2, 1960
Predecessor:John James Joseph Monaghan
Successor:Michael William Hyle
Ordination:May 28, 1904
Consecration:November 30, 1925
Other Post:Titular Archbishop of Constantia in Scythia
Birth Date:24 June 1881
Birth Place:Tarbert, County Kerry, Ireland
Death Place:Wilmington, Delaware, US
Nationality:American
Religion:Roman Catholic Church
Ordained By:Pietro Respighi
Consecrated By:Dennis Joseph Dougherty
Education:St Brendan's College, Killarney
College of Sint-Truiden
Pontifical North American College
Coat Of Arms:Coat of arms of Edmond John Fitzmaurice.svg

Edmond John Fitzmaurice (June 24, 1881  - July 26, 1962) was an Irish-born American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington in Delaware from 1925 to 1960.

Biography

Early life and education

Edmond Fitzmaurice was born on June 24, 1881, in Leitrim West, County Kerry in Ireland to William and Johanna (née Costello) Fitzmaurice.[1] His uncle, John Edmund Fitzmaurice, became bishop of the Diocese of Erie in Pennsylvania.

Fitzmaurice studied at St. Brendan's College in Killarney, Ireland, and at the College of Sint-Truiden in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. He continued his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree.

Ordination and ministry

Fitzmaurice was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in Rome by Cardinal Pietro Respighi on May 28, 1904.[2] After his ordination, Fitzmaurice immigrated to the United States in 1904, becoming a curate at Annunciation Parish in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as professor of theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, from 1906 to 1914. During this period, Fitzmaurice became a naturalized U.S. citizen.[3] He was appointed chancellor of the archdiocese, serving in this role until 1920. From 1920 to 1925, Fitzmaurice served as rector of St. Charles Seminary.[4]

Bishop of Wilmington

On July 24, 1925, Fitzmaurice was appointed the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington by Pope Pius XI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on November 30, 1925, from Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, with Bishops John Swint and Andrew Brennan serving as co-consecrators.[2] During his 35-year tenure, Fitzmaurice oversaw an increase in the Catholic population from 34,000 to 85,000.[5] To accommodate these numbers, he founded 17 new parishes, 8 missions, and 19 elementary and 9 secondary schools.[5] He donated his personal residence in 1959 to provide a location for the founding of St. Edmond's Academy, which was named in his honor.

Fitzmaurice encouraged participation in Catholic Charities, and founded the Catholic Welfare Guild, Catholic Youth Organization, Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and Knights of Columbus chapter in the diocese. He also established the Catholic Interracial Council, the Catholic Forum of the Air, the Catholic Television Guild, the Diocesan Book Forum, the Catholic Education Guild, and the Young Christian Workers.[5] In 1945, Fitzmaurice ordered the Catholic parents of students in public high schools in the diocese to prohibit their children from attending sex education courses, which he described as "offensive to the Catholic conscience."[6]

In 1956, Pope Pius XII appointed Hubert James Cartwright as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Wilmington to assist Fitzmaurice.[7] When Cartwright died in 1958, Pope Pius appointed Michael William Hyle as the new coadjutor bishop.

Retirement and legacy

Pope John XXIII accepted Fitzmaurice's resignation as bishop of Wilmington on March 2, 1960,[2] and appointed him as titular archbishop of Constantia in Scythia. He became the first priest of the Diocese of Wilmington to be named archbishop.[2]

Edmond Fitzmaurice died at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington on July 26, 1962, at age 81.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Curtis, Georgina Pell. The American Catholic Who's Who. XIV. 1961. Walter Romig. Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
  2. News: Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Archbishop Edmond John Fitzmaurice. Cheney. David M..
  3. Web site: Edmond J. FitzMaurice, 81, Ex-Bishop of Wilmington . 2022-06-03 . timesmachine.nytimes.com . en.
  4. News: Catholic Encyclopedia. Erie.
  5. News: Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. A Brief History of the Diocese of Wilmington.
  6. News: 1945-02-12. The New York Times. SEX LECTURES ASSAILED.
  7. Web site: Coadjutor Bishop Appointed . 2022-06-03 . timesmachine.nytimes.com . en.
  8. News: 1962-07-25. The New York Times. Edmond J. Fitzmaurice, 81, Ex-Bishop of Wilmington.