Submitted by: Dan Rich

Bishop Joseph Robert Crowley

Jan. 12, 1915 - Feb. 4, 2003

South Bend Tribune 2/6/2003

Bishop Joseph Robert Crowley, retired auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, died Tuesday, Feb. 4, at about 4 a.m. He was age 88 on January 12.

The funeral Mass for Bishop Crowley will be celebrated in St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend, at noon on Saturday, Feb. 8, with Bishop John M. D'Arcy presiding. Bishop Crowley will be buried at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, at 5:30 p.m.

Bishop Crowley will be received into St. Matthew Cathedral on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m., with viewing following until 9 p.m. Fr. Michael Heintz, administrator of St. Matthew Parish, will preside at a Mass at 7 p.m. with parishioners.

On Friday, Feb. 7, there will be a Mass for Bishop Crowley at 9 a.m. with the St. Matthew School children in attendance. Viewing of the body will follow the Mass at 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. A Rosary will be recited at 4 p.m. At 7 p.m., Bishop D'Arcy will preside at a Vigil Service - Evening Prayer for the Death of Bishop.

On Saturday, Feb. 15, a special memorial Mass for Bishop Crowley will be celebrated by Bishop D'Arcy at noon in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne.

A native of Fort Wayne, Bishop Crowley was well-known throughout the diocese and in many parts of the country. Following a brief career in the banking business and service in the United States Army Air Corps, he was ordained a priest at age 38 on May 1, 1953, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, by Bishop John F. Noll. In 1971, he was ordained auxiliary bishop of the local diocese.

In nearly 50 years as a priest, he served at St. Peter Parish, Fort Wayne, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Pierceton, St. Patrick Parish, Lagro, St. Joseph Parish, Fort Wayne, and St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend.

During his years of priestly service in the diocese, Bishop Crowley served on the diocesan board of directors, as assistant chancellor, consultor, director of religious instruction and vicar general. He also was a member of the diocesan finance council, Catholic Charities board of directors, the Presbyteral Council, the priests' personnel board and the advisory council of the diocesan newspaper, Today's Catholic.

In addition, Bishop Crowley was editor of Our Sunday Visitor in Huntington, Ind., and served as moderator of the United States Bishops' Press Panel during the final session of the Second Vatican Council, and was chairman of the U.S. Catholic Conference's Committee on Communication.

On May 8, 1990, as required by the Code of Canon Law, Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop Crowley's letter of retirement as auxiliary bishop since Bishop Crowley had turned 75 years of age the previous January. The effective date of his retirement was July 15, 1990. He also retired as rector of St. Matthew Cathedral.

Before entering the seminary, Bishop Crowley worked at the former People's Trust and Savings Company in Fort Wayne for five years. From 1942 to 1946, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps and attained the rank of captain. He served in both the North African and European campaigns.

In accord with Bishop Crowley's wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Bishop Crowley Education Fund, St. Matthew Cathedral, 1701 Miami, South Bend, IN 46614.

Hickey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Schedule of Services for Most Reverend Joseph R. Crowley, D.D.

Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003

3 p.m. Reception of the Body of Bishop Joseph Crowley

4 p.m. Rosary

Visitation until 9 p.m.

7 p.m. Memorial Mass

Friday, Feb. 7, 2003

9 a.m. Memorial Mass

Visitation throughout the day

4 p.m. Rosary

7 p.m. Vigil Service, followed by visitation until 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2003

Noon Mass of Christian Burial

St. Matthew's Cathedral, South Bend

Saturday, Feb. 15, 2003

Noon Memorial Mass

Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, IN