The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-23
FORT WAYNE'S BISHOP DEAD
The Rt Rev. Joseph Dwenger Passes
Away After Over Two Years Illness.
Death Due to Organic Disease of the Heart
His Body to Be Buried Under the Grand
Altar Of the Cathedral.
Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.


FORT WAYNE. Ind. Jan. 22IThe Right
Catholic diocese of Fort Wayne. died at
1925 o'clock tonight of organic disease Of
the heart, after an lllness Of Overtwo years.
Two years ago he spent several months In
but by no means we'll. nor has he at any
time since been able to transact much busi-
ness. The bishop realized his condition
and talked freely In regard to his aftairs
and when death came, he seemed to gently
drop to sleep. The date OF the funeral has
not yet been announced. but it will take
place at the cathedral and the remains Will
be placed under the grand altar by the side
OF the Right Reverend J. II. Luers, the first
bishop of Fort Wayne. and the Reverend
Julian Benolt, the first vicar general
Bishop Dwenger was born in AuglaiZe
county, Ohio. in 1887. Both parents died
when he was twelve years old. The holy
fathers of the Precious Blood, q religious
body of the Catholic Church, took charge
of the lad and educated him. giving him q
thorough theological course with the IN
tention of making him priest. He grad
uated at Mount ST. Mary's. Cincinnati, and
was ordained to the priesthood st-the early
age of twenty-five by Archbishop Purcell,
of Cincinnati. The young priest wss i'm
mediately appointed professor and direct.
or in the seminary of his order. q position
which he held for three years. and he also
In Mercer county, OHIO. which to this day
is f1ourishing institution. The young
clergyman was next engaged IN pa
rochial work, from which, after five
years. he was called to more Diff
cult duty. In 1866 he accompanied
Archbishop Purcell To the second pienary
council of Baltimore as the representative
of the order TO which he belonged, and also
in the capacity of theologian to the Arch
bishop. From 1867 to 1872 he was exclu-
sively occupied in preaching missions
throughout Ohio. Indiana and Kentucky.
He also held the office of secretary and con.
sultor In the meantime, IN the community
of tho Precious Blood. Upon the death of
Bishop Luers, Rev. Joseph Dwenger. at the
age of thirty -four and q half years. was ap-
pointed second BISHOP of Fort Wayne. He
was cOnsecrated tor the exalted position In
the Cathedral of Cincinnati. by Archbishop .
Purcell. April IA. 1872, and without any de.
lay took charge of the diocese intrusted to
him. In 1874 he went to Europe with
the first American pilgrimage, of
which he was the Acknowledged head.
The objective points of the visit were Rome
was in the interest of the late Baltimore
council as the representative of the Ameri.
can hierarchy. He spent seven months in
the Eternal City. To his kno Wedge Of af-
Iair6 pertalnlngstO the cnurcn In America Is
due. to great extent. the sanction of the
college of cardinals and the aupro baton of
the Pope Of the deliberations of the last
council of Baltimore. Bishop Dwen ger
again went to Europe in Septem bsr 1885,
on an official visit and was IN consultation
with tho cardinals and also had private
audience with Pope Leo. This diocese
comprises the northern half of Indiana and
contains forty four counties, 120 priests,
$50 churches and twenty chapels. one uni.
yersity, two orphan asylums and five hos
pltals and the entire diocese has been emf.
rently successful under the excellent man-
agement of the late bishop.