History of the Diocese
Timeline of Pre-Diocesan History for Southern Nebraska
Spirit of the 1880’s
The Diocese began during an era dominated by
boundless optimism, a speculative attitude and
an enormous expansion of business, industry and
agriculture. The cities and towns in Southern
Nebraska envisioned themselves as the great
commercial centers of the future. Many had
dreams of unlimited prosperity and greatness. In
order to attract settlers from other states and
from Europe, the propagandists resorted to
advertisements that greatly exaggerated the
advantages of living in Nebraska. People came
from around the world to settle is southern
Nebraska.
Population
In 1887, there were approximately 25,000
Catholics in Southern Nebraska, constituting
five percent of the total estimated population
of 500,000. The members of this small minority
of Catholics were scattered over the vast
expanse of the Diocese. Furthermore, the great
cultural diversity among them added to their
isolation. Instead of forming cohesive units,
the Catholics were frequently divided into
ethnic factions.
American Protective Association
From the time of the establishment of the
Diocese, Catholics have encountered opposition.
A primary example of this was the American
Protective Association, or the APA, which was
founded in 1887. Its members affirmed that
Catholics could not be good Americans because
they had to obey an Italian Pope. The epitome of
their fanatical propaganda was probably reached
in the accusation that Catholics were massing
arms in the basement of the convent of the
Ursuline Sisters in York, Nebraska. They thought
the arms would be used to take over the country
so that the Pope could supplant the president.
When they investigated the basement, they found
nothing more than the steam pipes for the
furnace. From the vantage point of history, one
can see that the propaganda of the APA promoted,
rather than hindered the development of the
Church. Through the undisguised bigotry of the
association, parents became aware of the dangers
to their faith and strove to teach their
children the truth. As a result they made a
greater effort to live their faith and became
more interested in helping to establish
parochial schools.
Bishops
Since its beginning in 1887, the Diocese of
Lincoln has been guided by eight bishops. Each
one made invaluable contributions to the growth
of the Church in Southern Nebraska. Their names
and the dates that they served the Diocese are
as follows:
The Most Reverend Thomas A. Bonacum 1887-1911
The Most Reverend J. Henry Tihen
1911-1917
The Most Reverend Charles J. O’Reilly
1918-1923
The Most Reverend Francis J. Beckman
1924-1930
The Most Reverend Louis B. Kucera
1930-1957
The Most Reverend James V. Casey
1957-1967
The Most Reverend Glennon P. Flavin
1967-1992
The Most Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz
1992-Present
Priests Serving Universal Needs of the
Church
God's grace, the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
the prayers, sacrifices and good example of the bishops,
priests, religious, and laity, have made it possible
for the Diocese of Lincoln to provide priests to serve
not only the needs of the Diocese but also the needs
of the Universal Church. During the year of 1999, two
priests of the Diocese of Lincoln were elevated to the
fullness of the priesthood." The Most Reverend Thomas
J. Olmsted was named Bishop of Wichita, Kansas, and the
Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa, Bishop of Baker, Oregon.
In 2003, Bishop Olmsted was appointed Bishop of Phoenix
and from 2008-2009, given the additional assignment to
serve as administrator of the Diocese of Gallup. From
1968 to 2002, priests of this Diocese had served as
missionaries in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. In 1995, at
the request of the Holy See, (a great tribute to this
Diocese) Father (now Monsignor) James Reinert was appointed
a Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations
in New York and later became an official for the Pontifical
Council for Justice and Peace. In 1997, the Diocese was
asked by the Holy See to release Monsignor Michael Jackels
to serve as an official in the Doctrinal Section of the
Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. Monsignor
Jackels was named Bishop of the Diocese of Wichita in 2005.
In addition, Monsignor Thomas J. Fucinaro has served in the
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments in Rome since 1996.
St. Thomas Orphanage
One of the monumental building projects of
the pioneer days of the diocese was the
construction of St. Thomas Orphanage. Bishop
Bonacum, traveling with horse and buggy,
canvassed the Diocese for funds. After a decade
of patient attempts, unremitting dedication and
indomitable courage in the face of criticism,
the orphanage at 4001 South 27th Street was
completed without debt in 1906, at a cost of
$80,000. St. Thomas Orphanage was finally
closed, yet its duties, especially adoption
services, were absorbed by Catholic Social
Services of the Diocese of Lincoln.
Plan of Providence
There are many manifestations of the growth
and vitality of the diocesan family. In 1887,
when the Diocese was established, Catholics
constituted about five percent of the total
population. Today that has increased four-fold,
to an estimated twenty percent. Thirty-two
priests attempted to take care of the spiritual
needs of the Diocese in 1887. That number too,
has more than quadrupled.
Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz
The era of the administration of the Most
Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz from 1992 to the
present cannot be covered adequately in this
short history. Only a few of the outstanding
achievements can be mentioned here, such as
the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress in 1995, the
Diocesan Synod in 1996, the establishment of
Saint Gregory the Great Seminary in 1997,
the blessing of cornerstone of Our Lady of
Guadalupe Seminary of the Priestly Fraternity
of St. Peter in 1998, and welcoming the cloistered
Carmelite Sisters in 1999. Also, in 1997,
Paul VI Heights, an affordable housing development,
was dedicated and opened. In 1995, the Diocese
took over sponsorship of Madonna Rehabilitation
Hospital. A diocesan Confirmation Mass and a
pilgrimage to Rome marked the celebration of the
Jubilee Year 2000. In 2001, the Blessed John XXIII
Diocesan Center was purchased. A Schoenstatt Shrine
was dedicated in 2007 and in 2009 Catholic Radio
began broadcasting in the City of Lincoln and
surrounding communities. .
Conclusion
In the words of Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, “The study
of the history of the Diocese of Lincoln, is always an
opportunity to admire the courage and strength, as well
as the vision of the pioneering bishops, priests,
religious, and lay people in Southern Nebraska, who
brought into being, and sustained through difficulty
and adversity-as well as prosperity in good times-this
wonderful part of God's kingdom and God's family called
the Diocese of Lincoln. It is also a splendid opportunity,
as my predecessor of happy memory Bishop Glennon Flavin
observed, to resolve to be worthy successors of such
faithful men and women, to be willing to make the genuine
sacrifices that they made in order to preserve the faith
for the benefit of those who will follow us. As the
ongoing story of the Diocese of Lincoln brings vividly to
mind, a discerning eye, that is capable of apprehending the
supernatural dimensions of the human journey, cannot fail to
notice the hand of Divine Providence in all the events of our
history. Once again, to paraphrase Bishop Flavin, looking
and reading the history of what has gone before us, provides
us with a chance to thank God for His constant goodness, and
to realize that His hand is not shortened in our day."
For more information concerning the
history of the Diocese contact:
Chancery
P. O. Box 80328,
Lincoln, Nebraska 68501
An excellent book,
The History of the Diocese of Lincoln Volume II,
may be purchased from the Chancery as well.
Facts About the Diocese
(as of 2009)
Erected: August 2, 1887
Total Population: 578,729
Catholic Population: 95,262
Square Miles: 23,844
Diocese Patron: Immaculate Conception
Parishes: 136
Catholic Schools: 33
Priests: 148
Permanent Deacons: 3
Transitional Deacons: 3
Seminarians: 38
Religious Communities: 19
Religious Priests: 10
Religious Sisters: 136
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