Daniel James Gercke
Daniel James Gercke (October 9, 1874 – March 19, 1964) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Tucson from 1923 to 1960.
Daniel James Gercke | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Tucson | |
| Appointed | June 21, 1923 |
| Installed | 1923 |
| Term ended | 1960 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 1, 1901 by Archbishop Patrick John Ryan |
| Consecration | November 6, 1924 by Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 9, 1874 Holmesburg, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | March 19, 1964 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | American |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Parents | Christopher and Catherine (née Shea) Gercke |
| Education | St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia |
| Alma mater | St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Overbrook |
Gercke was born in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Christopher and Catherine (née Shea) Gercke.[1] He attended St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1891.[1] He completed his theological studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook.[2] He was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick John Ryan on June 1, 1901.[3]
He then served as a curate at St. Joseph's Church in Girardville and afterwards at Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia.[1] He briefly served at St. Mary's in Philadelphia before going to Vigan City, Philippines, in 1903.[1] He served as vicar general of the Diocese of Nueva Cáceres from 1910 to 1919.[1] He was named a Domestic Prelate by Pope Benedict XV in 1915, and returned to Philadelphia in 1919. He then served as rector of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.[1]
On June 21, 1923, Gercke was appointed the third Bishop of Tucson, Arizona, by Pope Pius XI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following November 6 from Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty, with Bishops John Bernard MacGinley and James Paul McCloskey serving as co-consecrators.[3] He was the first-American born head of the Tucson diocese. After thirty-seven years as bishop, he retired on September 28, 1960; he was named Titular Archbishop of Cotyaeum by Pope John XXIII on the same date.[3]
Gercke later died at age 89.
References
- Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig. ISSN 0364-6394. LCCN 11010944.
- "Episcopal Alumni". St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Archived from the original on 2009-10-15.
- "Archbishop Daniel James Gercke". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Henry Regis Granjon |
Bishop of Tucson 1923–1960 |
Succeeded by Francis Joseph Green |
