Stanislaus Joseph Brzana

Stanislaus Joseph Brzana (July 7, 1917 – March 1, 1997) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church who served as the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg in New York State from 1968 to 1993.

Biography

Early life Stanislaus Brzana was born on July 7, 1917, in Buffalo, New York, to Frank and Catherine (née Mikosz) Brzana. After his ordination, the diocese assigned him to missionary work at the Cattaraugus Reservation in Western New York. After the start of World War II , Brzana enlisted in the US Army Chaplain Corps. Embedded with the Ninth Armored Division, he saw action during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944 and 1945 in Belgium.

After his discharge from the US. Army, Brzana returned to pastoral work in parishes in the diocese. The diocese sent him to Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology in 1953.

Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo On May 24, 1964, Brzana was appointed auxiliary bishop of Buffalo and titular bishop of Cufruta by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo on June 29, 1964, from Bishop James A. McNulty, with Bishops Celestine Damiano and James Johnston Navagh serving as co-consecrators.

Bishop of Ogdensburg Brzana was appointed bishop of Ogdensburg by Paul VI on October 22, 1968. During his tenure, he served on committees of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and took part in deliberations of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. He also established several churches and education centers, and was active in regional civic and social activities, including caring for striking miners and their families. In addition to receiving a Caritas award from Catholic Charities, he was made an honorary chief of the Mohawk Nation in 1977.

After 25 years in Ogdensburg, Brzana resigned on November 11, 1993. He spent his retirement in Buffalo, and later died at St. Joseph Hospital in Cheektowaga, aged 79.