Edward Braxton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Edward Kenneth Braxton |
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| Bishop Emeritus of Belleville | |
Bishop Braxton in 2009
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| Diocese | Diocese of Belleville |
| Appointed | March 15, 2005 |
| Enthroned | June 22, 2005 |
| Predecessor | Wilton Daniel Gregory |
| Successor | Michael G. McGovern |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 13, 1970 |
| Consecration | May 17, 1995 by Justin F. Rigali, J. Terry Steib, and Paul A. Zipfel |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Edward Kenneth Braxton |
| Born | June 28, 1944 Chicago, Illinois, US |
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| Alma mater | St. Mary of the Lake Seminary (M.A., S.T.L.) Catholic University of Louvain (Ph.D., S.T.D.) University of Chicago Divinity School |
| Motto | Mane nobiscum domine (Stay with us, Lord) |
| Styles of Edward Kenneth Braxton |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Edward Kenneth Braxton, born on June 28, 1944, is an American Catholic leader. He was a Bishop in the Catholic Church for many years. He served as the Bishop of Belleville from 2005 until 2020. Before that, he was an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1995 to 2000. He also served as the Bishop of Lake Charles from 2000 to 2005.
Contents
Bishop Edward Braxton's Life
Early Life and Education
Edward Kenneth Braxton was born in Chicago, Illinois, on June 28, 1944. His parents were Cullen L. Braxton Sr. and Evelyn Braxton.
He attended several schools in Chicago, including Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Niles College Seminary. He then went to St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. There, he earned several degrees, including a Bachelor's, a Master's, and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology. Before becoming a priest, he worked as a deacon at St. Raymond De Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect, Illinois.
Becoming a Priest
On May 13, 1970, Edward Braxton became a priest. He was ordained by Cardinal John Cody for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
In 1973, Braxton continued his studies at the Catholic University of Louvain in Leuven, Belgium. He earned two more advanced degrees in religious studies and systematic theology. While in Belgium, he also helped with church services for US Armed Forces and at Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Brussels.
After returning to Chicago, Braxton worked as an associate pastor at St. Felicitas Parish. He also started a special research program at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In 1976, he spent a year at the Harvard University Divinity School, where he studied different Christian beliefs. During this time, he also helped at St. Paul's Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The next year, he became a visiting professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame.
In 1978, Braxton was named a special advisor for theological matters in the Diocese of Cleveland. He worked for Bishop James Aloysius Hickey. When Bishop Hickey became the Archbishop of Washington in 1980, Braxton became his special assistant. He was one of the first priests to have this kind of full-time job helping a bishop.
While in Washington, Braxton also served at St. John the Baptist Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 1983, he became a scholar at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
After returning to Chicago in 1983, Braxton became the director of Calvert House. This is a Catholic Student Center at the University of Chicago. He worked there until 1986. In 1984, he was an expert advisor for a meeting of bishops in Kinshasa, Zaire. In August 1985, he spoke at a large Catholic gathering in Nairobi, Kenya. His talk was about "The Eucharist and the Catholic Family."
In 1986, Braxton became a theological consultant for William H. Sadlier Inc. This company publishes Catholic religious education books. While working there, he also helped with church duties at St. Joseph's Parish in Greenwich Village and Notre Dame Parish at Columbia University.
In 1992, Braxton moved back to Illinois. He became the pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Oak Park, Illinois.
Becoming a Bishop
Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis
On March 28, 1995, Pope John Paul II appointed Braxton as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop of a large area. He was also given the title of titular bishop of Macomades Rusticiana. He was officially made a bishop by Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali on May 17, 1995. This ceremony took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.
Bishop of Lake Charles
Braxton was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles in Louisiana on December 12, 2000. He began his new role on February 22, 2001.
Bishop of Belleville
In January 2005, the Bishop of Belleville, Wilton Daniel Gregory, was appointed to a new role. On March 15, 2005, Pope John Paul II appointed Braxton as the new Bishop of Belleville.
Braxton was officially installed as Bishop of Belleville on June 22, 2005. The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville, Illinois. He was a member of several committees for the USCCB. These committees focused on education, science, human values, and scripture translation.
In January 2008, Bishop Braxton apologized for a mistake with diocese funds. He had used $18,000 for church items and office furniture. This money was meant for a different purpose. Braxton explained he thought he could use the funds as he saw fit.
In February 2012, a priest named Reverend William Rowe resigned from his church. This happened after Bishop Braxton shared concerns about how Father Rowe led the Mass. Bishop Braxton had been emphasizing the importance of following the new English translation of the Roman Missal exactly. He stated that meetings over five years had not resolved his concerns.
Retirement
On April 3, 2020, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Braxton's resignation. This means Bishop Braxton retired from his role as Bishop of Belleville. The Pope then named Reverend Michael G. McGovern as the new Bishop of Belleville.
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