William Edward Cousins | |
---|---|
Archbishop of Milwaukee | |
Installed | December 18, 1958 |
Term ended | September 17, 1977 |
Predecessor | Albert Gregory Meyer |
Successor | Rembert George Weakland |
Orders | |
Ordination | April 13, 1927 |
Consecration | March 7, 1949 |
Personal details | |
Birth name | William Edward Cousins |
Born |
Chicago, Illinois |
August 20, 1902
Died | September 14, 1988 Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
(aged 86)
Previous post |
Diocese of Chicago (1948–1952) Bishop of Peoria (1952–1958) |
Alma mater |
Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary St. Mary of the Lake Seminary |
William Edward Cousins (August 20, 1902 – September 14, 1988) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Peoria (1952-1958) and later Archbishop of Milwaukee (1958-1977).
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Cousins studied at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and was a member of the first graduating class of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal George Mundelein on April 23, 1927.
Following his ordination, Cousins served as an assistant pastor at St. Bernard Church for five years and then at Holy Name Cathedral for a year. In 1933, he was appointed director of the Archdiocesan Mission Band, a group of priests who conducted missions throughout Chicago. He became pastor of St. Columbanus Church in 1946.
On December 17, 1948, Cousins was appointed auxiliary bishop of Chicago and titular bishop of Forma by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on March 7, 1949 from Cardinal Samuel Stritch, with Bishops John Boylan and Albert Zuroweste serving as co-consecrators. Three years later, Cousins was appointed the fourth Bishop of Peoria on May 21, 1952. He was installed at St. Mary's Cathedral on the following July 2. During his tenure, he established five new parishes and six new grade schools.