Ignatius Frederick Horstmann
Template:Infobox bishopbiog Ignatius Frederick Horstmann (December 16, 1840—May 13, 1908) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Cleveland from 1892 until his death in 1908.
Biography
Ignatius Horstmann was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Frederick and Catherine (née Weber) Horstmann.[1] After graduating from Central High School, he attended St. Joseph's College and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.[2] In 1860 he was sent to further his studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College, where he was one of the first students.[1] While in Rome, Horstmann was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Costantino Patrizi Naro on June 10, 1865.[3] He earned his Doctor of Divinity degree the following year.[2]
Upon his return to Philadelphia, he became professor of philosophy, German, and Hebrew at St. Charles Seminary.[1] He was named pastor of St. Mary's Church in 1877, and chancellor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1885.[2] He also served as assistant editor of the American Catholic Quarterly Review and president of the American Catholic Historical Society.[1]
On December 14, 1891, Horstmann was appointed the third Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on February 25, 1892 from Archbishop William Henry Elder, with Bishops William O'Hara and Silas Chatard serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul.[3] During his tenure 16-year-long tenure, Horstmann erected 22 ethnic parishes, but faced opposition from nationalist schismatic groups, including the Polish National Catholic Church.[1] He founded Loyola High School in Cleveland (1902), St. John's College in Toledo (1898), St. Anthony Home for Working Boys, and Catherine Horstmann Home (named after his mother).[1] He encouraged the missionary movement, and established of the first band of missionaries (headed by Rev. Walter Elliott)[1] in any diocese of the United States.[2] He also expanded Catholic hospitals and orphanages, endorsed compulsory parochial schools, and served as a trustee of the Catholic University of America.[2]
Horstmann died from heart disease in Canton, aged 67.[2] He was described the Catholic Encyclopedia as "a zealous pastor of souls, a wise and prudent ruler, a fearless defender of truth."[2]
References