William Leo Higi
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William Leo Higi (August 29, 1933 – January 3, 2025) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana from 1984 to 2010.
Biography
Early years
William Higi was born in Anderson, Indiana, on August 29, 1933.[1] While a high school junior, he became a seminarian for the Diocese of Indianapolis.[2]
On May 30, 1959, Higi was ordained into the priesthood by Cardinal John Carberry for the Diocese of Lafayette at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Lafayette, Indiana.[1][3] He was appointed secretary to Carberry on August 13, 1962, vice-chancellor of the diocese on January 14, 1965, and chancellor on June 16, 1967. Pope Paul VI named Higi a prelate of honor on November 16, 1976.[1] Appointed vicar general of the diocese on June 29, 1979, Higi was appointed diocesan administrator on January 26, 1984, upon the death of Bishop George A. Fulcher.[1]
Bishop of Lafayette in Indiana
On April 7, 1984, Pope John Paul II appointed Higi as bishop of Lafayette in Indiana. He was consecrated by Archbishop Edward O’Meara on June 6, 1984.[1] During Higi's tenure, he dedicated several new churches and opened St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville, Indiana. Higi also did outreach to Haiti on several trips there.
On December 31, 2003, Higi reported that 18 priests serving in the diocese since 1950 had been accused by 26 parishioners of sexually abusing them as minors. Nine priests were removed from ministry due to credible accusations.[4]
Retirement
On May 12, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI accepted Higi's letter of resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, required when a bishop reaches age 75. The pope replaced him with Monsignor Timothy Doherty.[2] Higi died on January 3, 2025, at the age of 91.[5][6]
References
- A History of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana by Rev. Anthony Prosen
See also
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- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
References
External links
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana Official website