Joseph Rademacher (December 3, 1840 – June 12, 1900) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Nashville in Tennessee from 1883 to 1893 and as bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne in Indiana from 1893 until his death in 1900.
Joseph Rademacher | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Fort Wayne | |
 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Fort Wayne |
| Predecessor | Patrick Feehan |
| Successor | Thomas Sebastian Byrne |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Nashville 1883 to 1893 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | August 2, 1863 by John Henry Luers |
| Consecration | June 24 1883 by Patrick Feehan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 3, 1840 |
| Died | June 12, 1900 (aged 59) Chicago, Illinois, US |
| Education | St. Vincent's College St. Michael's Seminary |
Biography edit
Early life edit
Joseph Rademacher was born on December 3, 1840, in Westphalia, Michigan, to Bernard and Theresia (née Platte) Rademacher, both German immigrants.[1] In 1855, he began his classical and philosophical studies under the Benedictines at St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.[2] He completed his theological studies at St. Michael's Seminary in Pittsburgh.[1]
Priesthood edit
Rademacher was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Fort Wayne by Bishop John Luers on August 2, 1863.[3] He then served as the first resident pastor in Attica, Indiana, also attending to the nearby missions. In 1870, he was transferred to a parish in Columbia City, Indiana.[2] In 1872, Rademacher was appointed chancellor of the diocese and pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana.[1] He served as pastor of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Lafayette, Indiana, from 1880 to 1883.[1]
Bishop of Nashville edit
On April 3, 1883, Rademacher was appointed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Nashville by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on June 24, 1883, from Archbishop Patrick Feehan, with Bishops Joseph Dwenger and John Watterson serving as co-consecrators.[3]
Bishop of Fort Wayne edit
Rademacher was named the third bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne by Leo XIII on July 15, 1893.[3] Unlike his predecessor, Rademacher was known as a mild and approachable leader.[1]
Death and legacy edit
Rademacher was disabled by a stroke in early 1899, and was admitted to St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, then to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Chicago.[1] Joseph Rademacher died at St. Elizabeth's on June 12, 1900, at age 59.
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f White, Joseph M. (2007). Worthy of the Gospel of Christ: A History of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
- ^ a b Alerding, Herman Joseph. "The Right Rev. Joseph Rademacher, D.D." The Diocese of Fort Wayne. Archived from the original on 2009-06-25.
- ^ a b c d "Bishop Joseph Rademacher". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.