Ignatius Frederick Horstmann

Ignatius Frederick Horstmann (December 16, 1840 – May 13, 1908) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland in Ohio from 1892 until his death in 1908.

Biography

Early life Ignatius Horstmann was born on December 16, 1840, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Frederick and Catherine (née Weber) Horstmann. After graduating from Central High School, he attended St. Joseph's College and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, all in Philadelphia. In 1860, Horstmann went to Rome to attend the Pontifical North American College, one of its first students. He earned his Doctor of Divinity degree in Rome in 1866.

In 1907, Horstmann faced a second schism with Polish Catholics. After removing Reverend Casimir Zakrekac as pastor of St. Vitus Parish in Cleveland, he faced violent protests. After the parish rectory was stoned, the replacement priest was forced to flee. Over 100 people were arrested. On September 22, 1907, 5,000 Polish protesters marched on Horstmann's residence, demanding Zakrekac's reinstatement and home rule for St. Vitus.

As bishop, Horstmann erected 22 ethnic parishes, but faced opposition from nationalist schismatic groups, including the Polish National Catholic Church. He founded the following institutions in the diocese:

Loyola High School in Cleveland (1902), St. John's College in Toledo (1898), St. Anthony Home for Working Boys in Cleveland. The Catherine Horstmann Home in Cleveland for homeless women.

He encouraged the missionary movement, and established of the first band of missionaries (headed by Rev. Walter Elliott) in any diocese of the United States. He also expanded Catholic hospitals and orphanages, endorsed compulsory parochial schools, and served as a trustee of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Death and legacy Horstmann died from heart disease in Canton on May 13, 1908, at age 67. He was described the Catholic Encyclopedia as "a zealous pastor of souls, a wise and prudent ruler, a fearless defender of truth."