Joseph Howard Hodges
Joseph Howard Hodges (October 8, 1911 – January 27, 1985) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston from 1962 until his death in 1985.
Biography
Joseph Hodges was born in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, to Joseph Howard and Edna Belle (née Hendricks) Hodges.[1] He and his family later moved to Martinsburg, where he attended St. Joseph's High School.[2] After graduating from St. Joseph's in 1928, he studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland (1928-1930).[1] He was then sent to further his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[2] He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on December 8, 1935.[3] Following his return to the United States, he was attached to the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, and served as a curate at Sacred Heart Church in Danville.[1] He served at St. Andrew's Church in Roanoke (1939-1945) before becoming director of the diocesan mission band.[1] He was named pastor of St. Peter's Church in Richmond in 1955.[1]
On August 8, 1952, Hodges was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Richmond and Titular Bishop of Rusadus by Pope Pius XII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following October 15 from Bishop Peter Leo Ireton, with Bishops Vincent Stanislaus Waters and John Francis Dearden serving as co-consecrators.[3] In addition to his episcopal duties, he continued to served as pastor of St. Peter's Church.[2] Returning to his native West Virginia, he was named Coadjutor Bishop of Wheeling on May 31, 1961.[3] Upon the death of Archbishop John Joseph Swint, Hodges succeeded him as the fifth Bishop of Wheeling on November 23, 1962.[3]
Hodges attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965.[2] He dedicated much of his administration to implementing the reforms of the Council in the diocese, establishing a Liturgical Commission, Priests' Senate, Sisters' Council, and Cursillo movement.[4] A strong supporter of ecumenism, he established a Commission for Religious Unity in 1964, co-founded the Joint Commission of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians in 1978 with the Episcopal Bishop of West Virginia, and joined the West Virginia Council of Churches in 1981.[4] He mandated parish councils in 1968, introduced extraordinary ministers in 1970 and permanent deacons in 1975, and renovated the exterior and interior of St. Joseph's Cathedral in 1973.[4]
The diocese was renamed as the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston on August 21, 1974.[5] In 1976 he established the Diocesan Pro-Life Office and led a public protest against the opening of a Wheeling abortion clinic.[4] Hodges was also known as a social reformer, using his office to challenge the social, economic, and political injustices in Appalachia.[2] He publicly supported the civil rights movement, urged local parishes to begin social outreach programs, and established such social ministry programs as soup kitchens and elderly-assistance programs.[2] He also served as chairman of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee for the Campaign for Human Development.[6]
Hodges died from lung cancer at Wheeling Hospital, aged 73.[6] He is buried at Mount Calvary Chapel in Wheeling.[4]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Most Reverend Joseph Howard Hodges". Wheeling Jesuit University.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Bishop Joseph Howard Hodges". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Vatican II and the Diocese: Bishop Joseph H. Hodges, 1962-1985". Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
- ↑ "Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- 1 2 "Bishop Joseph Hodges Dies; Led Diocese in West Virginia". The New York Times. 1985-01-28.
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Joseph Swint |
Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston 1962—1985 |
Succeeded by Francis B. Schulte |
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