Edward Aloysius Fitzgerald

Edward Aloysius Fitzgerald (February 13, 1893 – March 30, 1972) was an American bishop of the Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa from 1946 to 1949, and as the fourth bishop of Winona in Minnesota from 1949 to 1969.

Biography Early life Edward Fitzgerald was born on February 13, 1893, in Cresco, Iowa, to Edward and Emma (née Daly) Fitzgerald. He was educated at Assumption High School in Cresco, then attended St. Joseph College in Dubuque. After graduating from St. Joseph in 1913, Fitzgerald decided to become a priest. Fitzgerald studied at the Grand Seminary of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, where he earned Bachelor of Sacred Theology and a Bachelor of Canon Law degrees.

Priesthood Fitzgerald was ordained a priest in Dubuque for the Archdiocese of Dubuque by Archbishop James Keane on July 25, 1916. The sermon was delivered by Archbishop Edward Howard of Portland in Oregon, who was himself a native of Cresco. Fitzgerald was the first auxiliary bishop of the Dubuque archdiocese. He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome between 1962 and 1965, and subsequently implemented the Council's reforms in the diocese, including introducing English into the mass.

Later life and death Fitzgerald retired as bishop of Winona on January 8, 1969. On March 30, 1972, Fitzgerald died in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart during the Holy Thursday liturgy. He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in Winona.