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Reverend Frederick Xavier Katzer, D.D. 1890-1903
Born on February 7, 1844, in Ebensee,
Austria, Frederick Xavier Katzer came to Minnesota in 1864 as
a seminarian at the request of missionary Franz Pierz. When
he was informed that there was no room for him there, Katzer
considered joining the Jesuits before Fr. Joseph Salzmann convinced
him to come to Milwaukee.
Katzer completed his studies in Milwaukee
and was ordained on December 21, 1866, at Saint Francis Seminary
and soon joined the faculty there. He taught mathematics,
philosophy and theology until he was transferred to the Diocese
of Green Bay in 1875. There he served as rector of the cathedral,
then known as St. Mary’s, and vicar general. After his friend
Bishop Francis X. Krautbauer’s death, Katzer administered
the diocese before he was appointed Bishop of Green Bay on
July 13,1886.
Katzer served as the Bishop of Green Bay
until he was appointed the third bishop of the Milwaukee archdiocese
on January 30, 1891. In line with his predecessors, Katzer
was loyal to the German factions in the clergy and hierarchy.
Reminiscent of the debates between German- speaking and English-speaking
Catholics during Henni’s and Heiss’s time, Katzer’s nomination
to Milwaukee was opposed by “Americanizing” bishops. This
brought Milwaukee into a larger national debate over the “Americanization”
of Catholics in the United States--a view stating that Catholics
should assimilate into American society, rather than maintain
their distinct ethnic traditions. Pope Leo XIII condemned
the heresy of “Americanism” in an 1899 encyclical and Katzer
prevailed.
During his time in office, he strongly
supported and promoted the growth of Catholic schools, and
successfully advocated the repeal of the Bennett Law in 1890.
This legislation would have mandated English instruction in
all public schools and was seen as an attack on parochial
schools.
Katzer also furthered the growth of ethnic
parishes, particularly the Polish. He also was engaged in
a battle with anti-Catholic groups and opposed the socialist
movement in Milwaukee. He also was responsible for bringing
the Sisters of the Divine Savior to Milwaukee.
As he aged, Katzer left more of his daily
duties to his protégé, Fr. Augustine Schinner, whom he hoped
would be his successor. Schinner, however, was never appointed
to the position. Archbishop Katzer died in Fond du Lac on
July 23, 1903, the same day as Pope Leo XIII.
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