Joseph Lawson Howze facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Joseph Lawson E. Howze |
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| Bishop emeritus of Biloxi | |
| Archdiocese | Mobile |
| Diocese | Biloxi |
| Appointed | March 8, 1977 |
| Enthroned | June 6, 1977 |
| Reign ended | May 15, 2001 |
| Predecessor | First Bishop |
| Successor | Thomas John Rodi |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 7, 1959 |
| Consecration | January 28, 1973 by Luigi Raimondi, Harold Robert Perry, and Joseph Bernard Brunini |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 30, 1923 Daphne, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | January 9, 2019 (aged 95) Ocean Springs, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Previous post | Auxiliary Bishop of Natchez-Jackson |
| Motto | Unity of God’s people |
| Styles of Joseph Lawson E. Howze |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Joseph Lawson Edward Howze (born Lawson Edward Howze, August 30, 1923 – January 9, 2019) was an important African-American leader in the Catholic Church. He was the very first Bishop of the Diocese of Biloxi from 1977 to 2001. Bishop Howze was also the first openly Black Catholic bishop to lead a diocese in the United States.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Howze was born in Daphne, Alabama, on August 30, 1923. He was the oldest of four children. His mother passed away when he was only five years old. He grew up with six siblings in total.
Discovering Catholicism
Howze's neighbors were Catholic, and their faith had a big impact on him. He started his schooling at Most Pure Heart of Mary School in Mobile, Alabama. Later, he attended segregated public schools in Mobile. He graduated from Mobile County Secondary School in 1944.
Path to Higher Education
Originally, Joseph Howze wanted to become a doctor. He studied science subjects like chemistry, biology, and physics. He earned a degree from Alabama State Branch Junior College in 1946. In 1948, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Alabama State University.
Becoming Catholic
In 1948, Howze officially became a Catholic. He chose the baptismal name "Joseph." He then began studying to become a priest with the Josephites at Epiphany Apostolic College in New York. After this, he taught science in public schools. In 1952, he was hired to teach at St. Monica School in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Becoming a Catholic Priest
Joseph Howze felt a strong calling to become a priest again. He was accepted to study at Christ the King Seminary in New York. He earned his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1959.
Ordination and Early Service
On May 7, 1959, he was ordained (officially made a priest) for the Diocese of Raleigh. After his ordination, he served as a pastor (a priest in charge of a church) in Asheville, North Carolina.
Becoming a Bishop
On November 8, 1972, Pope Paul VI appointed Howze as an Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson in Mississippi. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop of a diocese. He was also named the Titular Bishop of Maxita, which is a special title.
He was officially made a bishop on January 28, 1973. This ceremony is called a consecration. Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, who was the Pope's representative in the United States, led the ceremony. Bishops Harold Robert Perry and Joseph Bernard Brunini also helped.
First Bishop of Biloxi
In 1977, the Diocese of Biloxi was created. Bishop Howze was chosen to be its very first bishop. This was a historic moment because he was the first openly Black bishop to lead a diocese in the United States.
Bishop Howze retired on June 6, 2001. He passed away on January 9, 2019, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, at the age of 95.
See Also
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
Images for kids
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A bishop's mitre, a special hat worn during ceremonies.
