Eugene John Gerber
Encyclopedia
Eugene John Gerber is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Dodge City
from 1976 to 1982, and Bishop of Wichita
from 1982 to 2001.
, Kansas
, to Cornelius and Lena (née Tiesmeyer) Gerber. The fourth of seven children, he has two brothers, Jerome and Larry, and four sisters, Kathleen, Helen, Leola, and Joan. At his baptism
on May 1, 1931, the officiating priest predicted to Gerber's father, "Some day this boy will become a priest
!" He was raised on a farm in Waterloo, and entered Immaculate Conception Seminary
in Conception
, Missouri
, in 1945. Two years later, he transferred to Kingman High School, where he was known as a Frank Sinatra
look-alike and graduated in 1949.
Gerber studied accounting at Wichita State University
before returning to Immaculate Conception Seminary. In May 1955, he graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Denver
, Colorado
, from where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy
(1955), a M.A. in Religious Education
(1958), and a Bachelor's in Sacred Theology
through the seminary's affiliation with the Catholic University of America
. He became a subdeacon
and later deacon
in 1958.
to the priesthood by Bishop Mark Carroll
on May 19, 1959, and then served as an associate pastor
at St. Anne Church and Church of the Magdalen in Wichita
. In 1962, he became an instructor at Notre Dame High School
, teaching algebra and religion, and working as a guidance counselor. He also served as moderator of the Catholic Youth Organization
.
In May 1963, Gerber was named Assistant Chancellor
for the Diocese of Wichita
and associate pastor of Holy Savior Church. He also earned a Bachelor's Education
from Wichita State in June 1963. In addition to his role as Assistant Chancellor, Gerber became secretary to Bishop Leo Bryne
and associate pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in August 1964. He was later made Vice Chancellor of the diocese (1965), business manager of the diocesan
newspaper (1967), and associate pastor at St. Mary Cathedral (1968).
In 1969, Gerber was appointed to the Governing Board of the Holy Family Center for the mentally disabled
. He became diocesan director of the Cursillo movement
in 1970, and diocesan Chancellor in 1973. Continuing as Chancellor, he served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church from 1973 to 1975.
In October 1975, he was sent to Rome
to undertake his postgraduate studies
in theology
and Scripture
. He received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
summa cum laude
from the Angelicum. Upon his return to the United States in February 1976, he resumed his work as Chancellor, as well as becoming chaplain
to the Sisters of St. Joseph
and Vicar
for Religious
.
by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following December 14 from Bishop David Maloney
, with Bishops Marion Forst
and Richard Hanifen
serving as co-consecrators
. After Ignatius J. Strecker, Gerber is the second native of the Wichita diocese to become a bishop.
He was formally installed
as Bishop the next day, on December 15, at the Dodge City Civic Center
. He served on the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
' Ad Hoc Committee on Parish Renewal for four years.
on November 17, 1982. Within the next twenty days, both of his parents died. Gerber was installed on February 9, 1983.
He received Thomas J. Olmsted
as a coadjutor bishop
in April 1999, and resigned as Bishop on October 4, 2001. He has since served as a chaplain to the Discalced Carmelite Sisters
and as a spiritual director for priests.
During his tenure, he served on the National Council of Catholic Bishops(NCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for Parish Renewal; the NCCB Committee on the Permanent Diaconate; two terms on the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, representing Region IX; on the NCCB Liaison Committee with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR); the Communications Committee; the Pastoral Research and Practices Committee; the Liaison Committee with NC News; the NCCB Pro-Life Committee; Committee for Women in Society and the Church; and the Ad Hoc Committee on Stewardship. Locally, Bishop Gerber served on the Board of Directors for the Wichita Urban League, the Board of Via Christi Health Systems, HopeNet, Kansas Foodbank Warehouse, Inc., and Wichita Grand Opera.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Dodge City
Roman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City is a Roman Catholic diocese covering twenty-eight counties in Kansas. Pope Pius XII created the diocese on May 19, 1951.John B...
from 1976 to 1982, and Bishop of Wichita
Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita is a Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas. It was founded on August 2, 1887, and covers Allen, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Labette, Marion, McPherson, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Reno,...
from 1982 to 2001.
Early life and education
Eugene Gerber was born in KingmanKingman, Kansas
Kingman is a city in and the county seat of Kingman County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,177.-Geography:Kingman is located at...
, Kansas
Kansas
Kansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
, to Cornelius and Lena (née Tiesmeyer) Gerber. The fourth of seven children, he has two brothers, Jerome and Larry, and four sisters, Kathleen, Helen, Leola, and Joan. At his baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
on May 1, 1931, the officiating priest predicted to Gerber's father, "Some day this boy will become a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
!" He was raised on a farm in Waterloo, and entered Immaculate Conception Seminary
Conception Abbey
Conception Abbey is a monastery of the Swiss-American Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation. The monastery, founded by the Swiss Engelberg Abbey in 1873 in northwest Missouri's Nodaway County, was raised to a conventual priory in 1876 and elevated to an abbey in 1881...
in Conception
Conception, Missouri
Conception is an unincorporated community in eastern Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. It is located about eleven miles southeast of Maryville on U.S. Route 136. It is very near Conception Junction, Missouri . Conception is home to Conception Abbey....
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, in 1945. Two years later, he transferred to Kingman High School, where he was known as a Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
look-alike and graduated in 1949.
Gerber studied accounting at Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
before returning to Immaculate Conception Seminary. In May 1955, he graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Denver
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, from where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy
Bachelor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Philosophy is the title of an academic degree. The degree usually involves considerable research, either through a thesis or supervised research projects...
(1955), a M.A. in Religious Education
Master of Religious Education
The Master of Religious Education is a terminal academic degree in preparation for professional teaching ministry, usually offered by Christian institutions. The curriculum includes two years of theological study and sometimes a thesis....
(1958), and a Bachelor's in Sacred Theology
Bachelor of Sacred Theology
The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is a graduate-level academic degree in theology.The Bachelor of Sacred Theology is offered by a number of Pontifical Universities. It is sometimes offered as a graduate degree, for students who have already completed a B.A. or other first degree...
through the seminary's affiliation with the Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
. He became a subdeacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
and later deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1958.
Priesthood
Gerber was ordainedHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood by Bishop Mark Carroll
Mark Kenny Carroll
Mark Kenny Carroll was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wichita from 1947 to 1967.-Biography:...
on May 19, 1959, and then served as an associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Anne Church and Church of the Magdalen in Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
. In 1962, he became an instructor at Notre Dame High School
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, sometimes called Carroll or BC, is a private high school located in Wichita, Kansas. Along with Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, it is one of two Catholic high schools in the city. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita. Bishop Carroll graduates...
, teaching algebra and religion, and working as a guidance counselor. He also served as moderator of the Catholic Youth Organization
Catholic Youth Organization
A Catholic Youth Organization is an organization for young Catholics. Usually each group uses the church for meeting and gathering, although some have their own premises. It was initiated by Bishop Bernard J...
.
In May 1963, Gerber was named Assistant Chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
for the Diocese of Wichita
Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita is a Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas. It was founded on August 2, 1887, and covers Allen, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Labette, Marion, McPherson, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Reno,...
and associate pastor of Holy Savior Church. He also earned a Bachelor's Education
Bachelor of Education
A Bachelor of Education is an undergraduate academic degree which qualifies the graduate as a teacher in schools.-North America:...
from Wichita State in June 1963. In addition to his role as Assistant Chancellor, Gerber became secretary to Bishop Leo Bryne
Leo Christopher Byrne
Leo Christopher Byrne was the Roman Catholic Coadjutor Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota....
and associate pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in August 1964. He was later made Vice Chancellor of the diocese (1965), business manager of the diocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
newspaper (1967), and associate pastor at St. Mary Cathedral (1968).
In 1969, Gerber was appointed to the Governing Board of the Holy Family Center for the mentally disabled
Developmental disability
Developmental disability is a term used in the United States and Canada to describe lifelong disabilities attributable to mental or physical impairments, manifested prior to age 18. It is not synonymous with "developmental delay" which is often a consequence of a temporary illness or trauma during...
. He became diocesan director of the Cursillo movement
Cursillo
Cursillos in Christianity is a ministry of the Roman Catholic Church...
in 1970, and diocesan Chancellor in 1973. Continuing as Chancellor, he served as pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church from 1973 to 1975.
In October 1975, he was sent to Rome
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
to undertake his postgraduate studies
Postgraduate education
Postgraduate education involves learning and studying for degrees or other qualifications for which a first or Bachelor's degree generally is required, and is normally considered to be part of higher education...
in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and Scripture
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. He received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
summa cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
from the Angelicum. Upon his return to the United States in February 1976, he resumed his work as Chancellor, as well as becoming chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to the Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of St. Joseph
The title Sisters of St. Joseph applies to several Roman Catholic religious congregations of women. The largest and oldest of these was founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France...
and Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
for Religious
Consecrated life (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, the term "consecrated life" denotes a stable form of Christian living by those faithful who feel called to follow Jesus Christ in a more exacting way recognized by the Church...
.
Bishop of Dodge City
On October 16, 1976, Gerber was appointed the third Bishop of Dodge CityRoman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dodge City is a Roman Catholic diocese covering twenty-eight counties in Kansas. Pope Pius XII created the diocese on May 19, 1951.John B...
by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following December 14 from Bishop David Maloney
David Monas Maloney
David Monas Maloney was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wichita from 1967 to 1982.-Biography:...
, with Bishops Marion Forst
Marion Francis Forst
Marion Francis Forst was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Dodge City from 1960 to 1976, after which he served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City...
and Richard Hanifen
Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen
Richard Charles Patrick Hanifen is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Colorado Springs, serving from 1984 to 2003...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. After Ignatius J. Strecker, Gerber is the second native of the Wichita diocese to become a bishop.
He was formally installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
as Bishop the next day, on December 15, at the Dodge City Civic Center
Dodge City Civic Center
The Dodge City Civic Center is a 2,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Dodge City, Kansas. It was home to the Dodge City Legend basketball team. The arena has all spectator seating on one side as a stage for community theatre is located on the other side...
. He served on the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
' Ad Hoc Committee on Parish Renewal for four years.
Bishop of Wichita
Gerber was later named the sixth Bishop of WichitaRoman Catholic Diocese of Wichita
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Wichita is a Roman Catholic diocese in Kansas. It was founded on August 2, 1887, and covers Allen, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Cowley, Crawford, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Labette, Marion, McPherson, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Reno,...
on November 17, 1982. Within the next twenty days, both of his parents died. Gerber was installed on February 9, 1983.
He received Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas Olmsted is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the fourth and current Bishop of Phoenix, having previously served as Bishop of Wichita from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:...
as a coadjutor bishop
Coadjutor bishop
A coadjutor bishop is a bishop in the Roman Catholic or Anglican churches who is designated to assist the diocesan bishop in the administration of the diocese, almost as co-bishop of the diocese...
in April 1999, and resigned as Bishop on October 4, 2001. He has since served as a chaplain to the Discalced Carmelite Sisters
Discalced Carmelites
The Discalced Carmelites, or Barefoot Carmelites, is a Catholic mendicant order with roots in the eremitic tradition of the Desert Fathers and Mothers...
and as a spiritual director for priests.
During his tenure, he served on the National Council of Catholic Bishops(NCCB) Ad Hoc Committee for Parish Renewal; the NCCB Committee on the Permanent Diaconate; two terms on the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, representing Region IX; on the NCCB Liaison Committee with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR); the Communications Committee; the Pastoral Research and Practices Committee; the Liaison Committee with NC News; the NCCB Pro-Life Committee; Committee for Women in Society and the Church; and the Ad Hoc Committee on Stewardship. Locally, Bishop Gerber served on the Board of Directors for the Wichita Urban League, the Board of Via Christi Health Systems, HopeNet, Kansas Foodbank Warehouse, Inc., and Wichita Grand Opera.