Edmund Francis Gibbons (September 16, 1868—June 19, 1964) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Albany from 1919 to 1954.

[edit] Biography

Edmund Gibbons was born in White Plains, New York, to James and Joanna (née Ray) Gibbons, who were Irish immigrants.^[1] His father was a laborer who helped build the New York State Capitol.^[2] After graduating from Niagara University in 1887, he studied at the Pontifical North American College in Rome from 1887 to 1893.^[1] He was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1893.^[3] He then served as secretary to Bishop Stephen V. Ryan (1893-1896), superintendent of Catholic schools in the Buffalo Diocese (1900-1916), and pastor of St. Vincent's Church in Attica (1904-1915).^[1] He was pastor of St. Teresa's Church in Buffalo from 1916 to 1919.^[1]

On March 10, 1919, Gibbons was appointed the sixth Bishop of Albany by Pope Benedict XV.^[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 25 from Archbishop Giovanni Bonzano, with Bishops John Grimes and Thomas Walsh serving as co-consecrators.^[3] He guided the diocese through the Great Depression and World War II, and oversaw a great increase in religious vocations and parishes.^[2] He also established The College of Saint Rose, Siena College, Mater Christi Seminary, 22 high schools, 82 grade schools, and the diocesan newspaper, The Evangelist.^[2]

After thirty-five years as bishop, Gibbons resigned on November 10, 1954; he was named Titular Bishop of Verbe on the same date.^[3] He later died at age 95.

[edit] References

Preceded by Thomas Cusack

Bishop of Albany 1919—1954

Succeeded by William Scully