Ferdinand Brossart

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Ferdinand Brossart was the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Covington.

[edit] Early Life

Ferdinand Brossart was born on October 19, 1849 in Buchelburg, Bavaria. The Brossarts came to America when Ferdinand was two, first coming to Cincinnati. In 1861, the Brossarts moved across the river to southern Campbell County. Choosing to become a priest, Brossart studied at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio and the American College at Louvain, Belgium. Brossart was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Covington by Bishop Toebbe on September 1, 1872. Father Brossart became popular when Lexington suffered a smallpox epidemic, sacrificing his health to administer to the sick and dying. Father Brossart was appointed Vicar General in 1888, along with being assigned as rector of the old cathedral. After Bishop Maes' death, Father Brossart was picked by Pope Benedict XV in November 1915. Brossart is the only diocesan priest from Covington to have been chosen as bishop.

[edit] Bishop of Covington

Brossart was ordained the fourth bishop of Covington by Archbishop Henry Moeller of Cincinnati on January 25, 1916. Bishop Brossart was responsible for placing the finishing touches on the current cathedral, though it is still unfinished to this day. Bishop Brossart served a short term, resigning on March 14, 1923, due to ill health. Brossart retired to St. Anne Convent in Melbourne, Kentucky, where he died on August 6, 1930. The bishop is the namesake of Bishop Brossart High School in Alexandria.