Edward Francis Hoban

Edward Francis Hoban (June 27, 1878 – September 22, 1966) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland in Ohio from 1945 to 1966. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Rockford in Illinois from 1928 to 1942 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago in Illinois from 1921 to 1928.

In 1952, Pope Pius XII gave Hoban the personal title of archbishop.

Biography

Early life Edward Hoban was born on June 27, 1878, in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Bridget (née O'Malley) Hoban, both Irish immigrants. William Hoban was a shoemaker. Edward Hoban attended St. Columbkille parochial school and then St. Ignatius High School in Chicago. Hoban then entered St. Ignatius College in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree (1899) and a Master of Arts degree (1900). He then studied at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland.

Priesthood Hoban was ordained to the priesthood at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Archbishop James Quigley on July 11, 1903. After his ordination, Hoban was assigned briefly as curate at St. Agnes Parish in Chicago. He then traveled to Rome to attended Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in 1906.

During his tenure, Hoban opened many elementary and high schools in the diocese, modernized charitable institutions, and established a diocesan newspaper. He also established national and ethnic parishes, but insisted that their parochial schools only teach in English. He helped rebuild and remodel St. John's Cathedral, and enlarged St. John's College, both in Cleveland. Hoban centralized Parmadale Family Services, constructed additional nursing homes, and opened Holy Family Cancer Home in Parma, Ohio, a hospice for cancer patients. Hoban opened a minor seminary and expanded the Newman Apostolate for Catholic students attending public universities and colleges.

Hoban received the personal title of archbishop on July 23, 1951. He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome between 1962 and 1965. During Hoban's 21-year-long tenure, the number of Catholics in the diocese increased from 546,000 to 870,000, even though the diocese lost six counties with the erection of the Diocese of Youngstown in 1943. Hoban also established 61 parishes, 47 elementary schools, and a dozen high schools.

Death Edward Hoban died in Cleveland on September 22, 1966, at age 88. He is buried in the crypt of St. John's Cathedral.