Joseph Howard Hodges

Joseph Howard Hodges (October 8, 1911 – January 27, 1985) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston from 1962 until his death in 1985. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Richmond in Virginia from 1952 to 1961 and as coadjutor bishop of Wheeling from 1961 to 1962.

Biography

Early life Joseph Hodges was born on October 8, 1911, in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Joseph Howard and Edna Belle (née Hendricks) Hodges. His family later moved to Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he attended St. Joseph's High School. After graduating from St. Joseph's in 1928, Hodges studied at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland (1928–1930). Following his return to Virginia, Hodges was appointed as curate at Sacred Heart Parish in Danville, Virginia.

A strong supporter of ecumenism, Hodges established a Commission for Religious Unity in 1964, co-founded the Joint Commission of Roman Catholics and Episcopalians in 1978 with the episcopal bishop of West Virginia, and joined the West Virginia Council of Churches in 1981. He mandated parish councils in 1968, introduced extraordinary ministers in 1970 and permanent deacons in 1975, and renovated the exterior and interior of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Wheeling in 1973. In 1976, Hodges established the diocesan Pro-Life Office and led a public protest against the opening of a health clinic in Wheeling that provided abortion services to women.

Death Joseph Hodges died on January 27, 1985, from lung cancer at Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling at age 73. He is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery Bishop's Chapel in Wheeling.