Laurence Julius FitzSimon
Encyclopedia
Laurence Julius FitzSimon (January 31, 1895—July 2, 1958) was an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Amarillo
from 1941 until his death in 1958.
, Texas
, to John and Theodora (née Okelmann) FitzSimon. He and his family moved to Castroville
the following year. He attended St. Anthony's College
in San Antonio from 1907 until 1911, when he was sent to further his studies at the Pontifical North American College
in Rome
. In 1916 he was forced to return to Texas due to poor health. After recuperating, he served in the United States Navy
during World War I
. He later resumed his theological
studies in 1919 at St. Meinrad's Seminary
in Indiana
.
FitzSimon was ordained
to the priesthood
on May 17, 1921. He then taught at St. John's Seminary in San Antonio for four years, when he became pastor
of Runge
. He was later transferred to Kenedy
and then to Seguin
in 1932. He also served as chancellor
of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
from 1932 to 1941.
On August 1, 1941, FitzSimon was appointed the third Bishop of Amarillo
by Pope Pius XII
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following October 22 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Mariano Simon Garriga
and Sidney Matthew Metzger
serving as co-consecrators
. He was later installed
at Amarillo on November 5, 1941. During his 17-year-long tenure, the number of churches, priests, schools, and institutions in the diocese more than doubled. In 1951 he became the first American to receive the title of Chanoine d'Honneur from Cardinal Pierre-Marie Gerlier
.
FitzSimon died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, aged 63. He is buried in Llano Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
from 1941 until his death in 1958.
Biography
Laurence FitzSimon was born in San AntonioSan Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, to John and Theodora (née Okelmann) FitzSimon. He and his family moved to Castroville
Castroville, Texas
Castroville is a city in Medina County, Texas, United States. The population was 2,664 at the 2000 census. Prior to 1893, Castroville was the first county seat of Medina County....
the following year. He attended St. Anthony's College
St. Anthony Catholic High School
St. Anthony Catholic High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school located in the Monte Vista Historic District, San Antonio, Texas. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.-Background:...
in San Antonio from 1907 until 1911, when he was sent to further his studies at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. In 1916 he was forced to return to Texas due to poor health. After recuperating, he served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He later resumed his theological
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
studies in 1919 at St. Meinrad's Seminary
Saint Meinrad School of Theology
The Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology is located in Saint Meinrad in southern Indiana and is affiliated with the St. Meinrad Archabbey, which itself is affiliated with Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
.
FitzSimon was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on May 17, 1921. He then taught at St. John's Seminary in San Antonio for four years, when he became pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Runge
Runge, Texas
Runge is a town in Karnes County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,080 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Runge is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
. He was later transferred to Kenedy
Kenedy, Texas
Kenedy is a city in Karnes County, Texas, United States, named for Mifflin Kenedy, who bought and wanted to develop a new town that would carry his name...
and then to Seguin
Seguin, Texas
Seguin is a city in Guadalupe County, Texas, in the United States. It is part of the San Antonio-New Braunfels Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,011; the July 1, 2009 Census estimate, however, showed the population had increased to 26,842...
in 1932. He also served as chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
of the Archdiocese of San Antonio
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio encompasses in Texas.The archdiocese includes the city of San Antonio and the following counties: Val Verde, Edwards, Kerr, Gillespie, Kendall, Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Uvalde, Kinney, Medina, Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, Frio, Atascosa, and McMullen.On...
from 1932 to 1941.
On August 1, 1941, FitzSimon was appointed the third Bishop of Amarillo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Amarillo is a Roman Catholic diocese in Amarillo Texas. It was founded on August 3, 1926 .The diocese's past bishops include:*Rudolph Gerken *Robert Emmet Lucey *Laurence Julius...
by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following October 22 from Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani, with Bishops Mariano Simon Garriga
Mariano Simon Garriga
Mariano Simon Garriga was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Corpus Christi from 1949 until his death in 1965.-Biography:...
and Sidney Matthew Metzger
Sidney Matthew Metzger
Sidney Matthew Metzger, STD, JCD was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop of El Paso from 1942 to 1978.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. He was later installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
at Amarillo on November 5, 1941. During his 17-year-long tenure, the number of churches, priests, schools, and institutions in the diocese more than doubled. In 1951 he became the first American to receive the title of Chanoine d'Honneur from Cardinal Pierre-Marie Gerlier
Pierre-Marie Gerlier
Pierre-Marie Gerlier was a French Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Lyon from 1937 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1937.-Biography:...
.
FitzSimon died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Amarillo, aged 63. He is buried in Llano Cemetery.