Francis William Howard

Francis William Howard (June 21, 1867 – January 18, 1944) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of Covington in Kentucky from 1923 until his death in 1944.

Biography

Early life The fifth of seven children, Francis Howard was born on June 21, 1867, in Columbus, Ohio, to Francis and Catherine (née O'Sullivan) Howard, both Irish immigrants. After attending St. Joseph Academy in Columbus, he entered Our Lady of the Angels Seminary at Niagara, New York, in 1884. Howard returned to Ohio in 1888 to continue his studies at Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West in Cincinnati. In 1901, he organized the first Columbus Diocesan School Board. He also served as secretary (1904–1928), president (1928–1936), and member of the advisory board (1936–1944) of the National Catholic Educational Association in Leesburg, Virginia.

Bishop of Covington On March 26, 1923, Howard was appointed the fifth bishop of Covington by Pope Pius XI.

Death Howard died of heart disease in Covington on January 18, 1944. He is buried at St. Mary Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.