Walter P. Kellenberg

Walter Philip Kellenberg (June 3, 1901 – January 11, 1986) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York, from 1957 to 1976.

Kellenberg previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Ogdensburg in Northern New York from 1954 to 1957 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York from later 1953 to early 1954.

Biography

Early life

Walter Kellenberg was born on June 3, 1901, in the Bronx, New York, to Conrad and Elizabeth (née Kern) Kellenberg. He had two brothers and two sisters. Walter Kellenberg received his early education at the parochial school of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in the Bronx. He then attended Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, graduating there in 1919. Deciding to become a priest, he then entered Cathedral College in Queens, New York. He also took courses in real estate, insurance, and business administration at Columbia University in Manhattan.

Priesthood Kellenberg was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New York at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan on June 2, 1928 by Cardinal Patrick Hayes. After his 1928 ordination, the archdiocese assigned Kellenberg as curate at St. Mary's Parish in the Rosebank neighborhood of Staten Island, New York. In Ogdensburg, he, expanded the Departments of Education and Catechetics and opened new parochial schools. He also created catechism classes for Catholic students going to public schools and established a youth ministry. He also led Marian rallies and processions in the diocese.

On April 12, 1959, at Mitchel Air Force Base in Long Island, New York, Kellenberg dedicated the medal of Our Lady of Loreto, the patron saint of air travelers and pilots. From 1962 to 1965, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome. Three colleges, eighteen high schools and a number of parish schools were established during his tenure in Rockville Centre.

Retirement and legacy Shortly before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Kellenberg resigned as bishop of Rockville Centre on May 3, 1976. Kellenberg died on January 11, 1986, from a cardiac arrest at Mercy Hospital in Rockville Centre at age 84.

Viewpoints

Discrimination In 1963, Kellenberg called from greater understanding among people, saying it was a remedy for discrimination. He stated, "Only equal opportunity for all can make the American dream of justice a reality for our citizens."