George Joseph Biskup DD | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of Indianapolis Titular Bishop of Hemeria | |
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Indianapolis |
| In office | January 3, 1970 – March 20, 1979 |
| Predecessor | Paul Clarence Schulte |
| Successor | Edward O'Meara |
| Previous posts | Bishop of Des Moines (1965 to 1967) Auxiliary Bishop of Dubuque (1957 to 1965) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 19, 1937 by Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani |
| Consecration | April 24, 1957 by Amleto Giovanni Cicognani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1911-08-23)August 23, 1911 |
| Died | October 17, 1979(1979-10-17) (aged 68) |
| Education | Loras College Pontifical Gregorian University University of Iowa |
| Motto | Cordis Eius (His heart) |
George Joseph Biskup (August 23, 1911 – October 17, 1979) was an Americanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. He served as archbishop of theArchdiocese of Indianapolis in Indiana from 1970 to 1979.
Biskup previously served as bishop of theDiocese of Des Moines in Iowa from 1965 to 1967 and as an auxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa from 1957 to 1965.
George Biskup was born on August 23, 1911, inCedar Rapids,Iowa, to Frank and Julia (née Kuda) Biskup.[1] He had an older brother, Leonard, and a younger sister, Helen. His father died when he was young and his mother had to go to work to support her young family.[2] Biskup was educated at St. Wenceslaus School through high school. He studied atLoras College in Dubuque, Iowa, obtaining aBachelor of Arts degree in 1933.[1] He then furthered his studies at thePontifical Gregorian University inRome.
Biskup wasordained to the priesthood in Rome by CardinalFrancesco Marchetti Selvaggiani for the Archdiocese of Dubuque on March 19, 1937.[3] Upon his return to Iowa, Biskup served as acurate atSt. Raphael's Cathedral Parish in Dubuque until 1939.[1] Biskup took up graduate studies in the fine arts at theUniversity of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa while serving as the administrator of Holy Trinity Parish inWalford, Iowa. Biskup became a faculty member in 1939 of Loras College, where he founded the art department and served as artist in residence.[4]
In 1948, Biskup was then called to Rome to work as an official of theCongregation for the Oriental Churches. During his years in Rome, the Vatican named him asmonsignor. Again returning to Iowa, he was namedpastor ofSt. Joseph's Parish in Key West, Iowa, andchancellor of the archdiocese in 1951. Biskup was appointedvicar general in 1952, and served as achaplain at the Presentation Sisters Convent (1952–1958).[1]
On March 9, 1957, Biskup was appointedtitular bishop ofHemeria andauxiliary bishop of Dubuque byPope Pius XII. He received hisepiscopalconsecration on April 24, 1957, from ArchbishopAmleto Cicognani at St. Raphael's Cathedral. ArchbishopLeo Binz and BishopLoras Lane served asco-consecrators.[5][2] In addition to his episcopal duties, Biskup served as pastor of the Church of the Nativity Parish in Dubuque from 1958 to 1965.[1] Biskup attended all four sessions of theSecond Vatican Council (Vatican II; 1962–1965) in Rome. He was named the administrator of the archdiocesesede vacante after the Vatican moved Archbishop Binz to theArchdiocese of St. Paul.
Biskup was named byPope Paul VI as the fifth bishop of Des Moines on February 3, 1965. He was installed on March 19, 1965, inSt. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa.. In 1966 he purchased 55 acres (220,000 m2) from the Des Moines Golf and Country Club inWest Des Moines to constructDowling Catholic High School.[6] He also started to implement the changes in the church as a result of Vatican II.
Biskup was appointed by Paul VI ascoadjutor archbishop of Indianapolis and titular archbishop ofTamalluma on July 20, 1967. He was formally received into the archdiocese atSaints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 10, 1967, and also served as pastor of Holy Cross Parish in that city.[7]
Following the resignation of ArchbishopPaul Schulte, Biskup automatically succeeded him as the third archbishop of Indianapolis on January 3, 1970. He supported the concept of Total Catholic Education and establishedlay boards of education to governparochial schools.[7] It was also during Biskup's tenure that the archdiocese became nationally known for itsholistic approach to Catholic education under the superintendent of Catholic schools, ReverendGerald Andrew Gettelfinger.[7]
On March 20, 1979, Pope John Paul II accepted Biskup's resignation as archbishop of Indianapolis. George Biskup died atSt. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis on October 17, 1979, at age 68. He is buried at Calvary Chapel Mausoleum in Indianapolis.[8]
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Des Moines 1965–1967 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Archbishop of Indianapolis 1970–1979 | Succeeded by |
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