Elden Francis Curtiss
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Elden Francis Curtis (born June 16, 1932) was installed as Archbishop of Omaha on June 25, 1993.
[edit] Life
He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Baker on May 24, 1958. He was ordained a bishop on April 28, 1976. He was named by Pope John Paul II as Archbishop of Omaha in 1993 after 17 years as bishop of Helena.
He will retire as archbishop of Omaha sometime after he submits his letter of resignation to the Pope on June 16, 2007.
[edit] Controversy
On March 17, 1994 it was announced that the 75-year old Cathedral High School would be closed due to operating costs. Archbishop Curtiss was criticized for the decision and the lack of willingness to work with the Cathedral students and staff to find a path of compromise. He refused to meet with student leaders who marched three miles with the student body to his office in search of an explanation. Although the problems that plagued Cathedral began long before his tenure, the bulk of the criticism arose from the stonewalling tactics and his decision to leave Omaha while the closure was finalized. Officially, the closure was called a consolidation with Omaha's Roncalli High School.
