Most Rev. Edward John Herrmann, D.D.

It seems impossible to find a negative word written about the ninth Bishop of Columbus, Most Rev. Edward Herrmann. He was oriented toward the people and the priests and was eminently successful in his efforts to serve them.

Edward was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1913 and there attended Catholic elementary and high schools. He desired to become a priest or a lay brother, but after graduation he went to work to support his widowed mother. For nine years he worked as a clerk at an oil depot, meanwhile keeping active at St. Bernard Parish. It was in 1940 at a beach picnic that the pastor asked him what he wanted to do with his life. He replied that he wanted to be a priest and soon found himself enrolled at Mt. St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg.

He was ordained on June 7, 1947. After service as assistant pastor he was named pastor of St. Mary Parish in Washington, an inner-city, predominately Black parish where he got along well with the people, despite the racial problems of the times.  Concurrently he carried out administrative assignments for the archdiocese.

Herrmann was appointed auxiliary bishop of Washington in 1966 and was ordained a bishop on April 26 by Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle. He was appointed chancellor of the archdiocese and vicar general as well as pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Washington.

His appointment as Bishop of Columbus was announced on June 26, 1973 and he was installed in St. Joseph Cathedral on August 21. He wanted to be known by the people of this diocese, but he also wanted them to know each other. To this end he revitalized the vicariate system to promote a flow of information and association and he reorganized a Diocesan Pastoral Council. He consolidated a few schools, started three parishes, combined two, and closed one mission. He was a strong proponent of the canonization of Elizabeth Bayley Seton, foundress of the Sisters of Charity in America, and he attended the proclamation of her sainthood in Rome in 1975. He designated her the patroness of the new parish he established in Pickerington.

In 1981 as the country's economy faltered, Bishop Herrmann noticed that food pantries and social service agencies could not meet people's needs. He convened a meeting of community leaders to address the concern. He alone was able to pull these forces together, because he had built up credibility among their leaders. The best-known result of this meeting has been Operation Feed, which began collecting cans and packages to restock community food pantries. The annual campaign still carries out this work and is the largest and best-organized in the country.

Bishop Herrmann retired September 18, 1982 and moved to Hyattsville, Maryland after the installation of Bishop Griffin. He came back to the diocese on four or five weekly visits each year to assist Bishop Griffin by administering Confirmation.

He returned to Columbus in 1991 to make his home with Bishop Griffin, for whom he was confidant, adviser, and friend. In 1995 he suffered a stroke and after treatment moved to St. Raphael Home for the Aged. His presence there was a great blessing to the other residents.

Bishop Herrmann died on December 22, 1999, at the age of eighty-six years. Burial was in the crypt of St. Joseph Cathedral.

Bishop Herrmann was thoughtful and articulate, possibly because each day he read books of doctrine, classical fiction, and fact. His style was one of pastoral sensitivity to everyone, full of compassion and kindness. His deep prayer life nurtured this approach. He never stood on his office, but upheld it as a humble and holy Christian gentleman, always devoted to the Church and Her mission.

Taken from the Illustrated History of the Diocese of Columbus by Donald M. Schlegel.