John Jeremiah Lawler

John Jeremiah Lawler (August 4, 1862 – March 11, 1948) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Lead (later changed to Diocese of Rapid City) in South Dakota from 1916 until his death in 1948. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul in Minnesota from 1910 to 1916.

Biography

Early life John Lawler was born on August 4, 1862, in Rochester, Minnesota, and attended St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He continued his studies in Belgium, studying philosophy at the College of St. Nicholas in Flanders and theology at the University of Louvain.

Priesthood Lawler was ordained to the priesthood at Louvain on December 19, 1885, by Cardinal Pierre-Lambert Goossens. Following his return to Minnesota, Lawler served as professor of scripture at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul and later pastor of St. Luke's Parish in St. Paul. In 1947, Lawler, who had been in failing health, received Bishop William McCarty as his coadjutor bishop.

Death and legacy John Lawler died following a stroke on March 11, 1948, at age 85. At the time of his death, he was the oldest Catholic bishop in the United States and was the second most senior in years of service.