John Jeremiah Lawler
John Jeremiah Lawler was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Lead in South Dakota from 1916 until his death in 1948. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul in Minnesota from 1910 to 1916.
Biography
Early life
John Lawler was born on August 4, 1862, in Rochester, Minnesota, and attended St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He continued his studies in Belgium, studying philosophy at the College of St. Nicholas in Flanders and theology at the University of Louvain.
Priesthood
Lawler was ordained to the priesthood at Louvain on December 19, 1885, by Cardinal Pierre-Lambert Goossens. Following his return to Minnesota, Lawler served as professor of scripture at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul and later pastor of St. Luke's Parish in St. Paul. He also served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul As rector, he was instrumental in the erection of the cathedral at a cost of $5 million.
On February 8, 1910, Lawler was appointed auxiliary bishop of St. Paul and titular bishop of Hermopolis Maior by Pope Pius X. He received his episcopal consecration at Saint Paul Seminary on May 19, 1910, from Archbishop John Ireland, with Bishops James McGolrick and James Trobec serving as co-consecrators. As an auxiliary bishop, he assisted Ireland for six years.
Bishop of Lead/Rapid City
Lawler was appointed the third bishop of Lead by Pope Benedict XV on January 29, 1916. On August 1, 1930, the episcopal see of the diocese was changed from Lead, South Dakota, to Rapid City, South Dakota, and the name of the diocese was changed accordingly. In 1947, Lawler, who had been in failing health, received Bishop William McCarty as his coadjutor bishop.
Death and legacy
John Lawler died following a stroke on March 11, 1948, at age 85. At the time of his death, he was the oldest Catholic bishop in the United States and was the second most senior in years of service.