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Reverend William E. Cousins, D.D. 1959 - 1977
William E. Cousins was born on August
20, 1902, in Chicago, and was a member of the first class to
graduate from Our Lady of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois,
where he was ordained to the priesthood on April 23, 1927. Cousins
was known for his affable presence and spirit. Pope Pius XII
named Cousins to the episcopacy on Dec. 17, 1948, and he served
as an Auxiliary Bishop to then Archbishop Stritch. He was named
Bishop of Peoria and installed in that post on July 2, 1952.
After six years as Bishop of Peoria, Cousins
was assigned to be the eighth archbishop of Milwaukee on December
18, 1958.
Marking Cousins’ time as archbishop was
Pope John XXIII’s announcement of the Second Vatican Council.
During the council, Cousins was a member of the Commissions
on Communications Media and the Lay Apostolate. He also served
on several commissions before and after the council.
During his time as archbishop, Cousins worked
to implement the changes directed by the council in one of
the most uncertain times in the history of the archdiocese.
It is speculated that his even hand spared the archdiocese
the level of polarization experienced in other American dioceses
of the post-conciliar time.
Cousins saw the social upheaval of the civil
rights and peace movements during his episcopacy. The civil
rights marches led by Fr. James Groppi resulted in much pressure
on Cousins to sanction the priest and others involved. Throughout
the controversy, however, he maintained his even-handed nature.
Cousins strongly supported open housing and affirmed the efforts
of those working on the issue, though he did not condone all
of their tactics.
Cousins approved major changes in archdiocesan
offices, and was known for giving priests and laity the latitude
to creatively initiate programs aimed at solving the problems
of the day. He also ordained the first group of permanent
deacons and was a member of the Board of Governors of the
Catholic Church Extension Society, Episcopal Advisor to Serra
International, and served on many committees of the National
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Archbishop Cousins retired in 1977 and continued
to maintain a schedule of episcopal duties until his health
began to fail. He died on September 14, 1988, in Milwaukee.
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