Paul Joseph Nussbaum

Paul Joseph Nussbaum, C.P. (September 7, 1870 – June 24, 1935) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi in Texas (1913–1920) and as bishop of the Diocese of Sault Sainte Marie-Marquette in Michigan (1922–1935).

Nussbaum was the first member of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ (Passionist) to be appointed bishop in the United States.

Biography

Early life Henry Nussbaum was born on September 7, 1870, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Bernard and Louise (née Erne) Nussbaum. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by relatives. He made his profession as a Passionist on July 24, 1887, taking the religious name of Paul Joseph. Later that year, the Passionists sent him to Brazil as a missionary.

Priesthood Nussbaum was ordained to the priesthood for the Passionists in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil by Archbishop João Fernando Santiago Esberard on May 20, 1894. The Passionists then sent Nussbaum to Argentina as a missionary. Nussbaum returned to the United States in 1904 to first serve as a curate in a parish in West Hoboken, New Jersey, then in Dunkirk, New York. He was the first Passionist to be appointed bishop in the United States. He was buried in West Hoboken. His remains were transferred to Corpus Christi Cathedral in 1985 by Bishop Rene H. Gracida.