Maurice John Dingman
Encyclopedia
Maurice John Dingman was an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Des Moines
from 1968 to 1986.
, Iowa
, to Theodore and Angela (née Witte) Dingman. He attended St. Ambrose College
in Davenport
before studying in Rome
at the Pontifical North American College
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
. He was ordained
to the priesthood
on December 8, 1939. Upon his return to Iowa, he taught at St. Ambrose Academy
in Davenport from 1940 until 1943, when he became assistant chancellor
of the Diocese of Davenport
. He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
from the Catholic University of America
at Washington, D.C.
in 1946. From 1946 to 1953 he was principal of Bishop Hayes High School in Muscatine
. He was later named superintendent
of Catholic school
s and chancellor of the diocese. He also served as chaplain
at Ottumwa Naval Air Station
and Davenport Mercy Hospital
.
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following June 19 from Archbishop Luigi Raimondi
, with Bishops Ralph Leo Hayes
and Gerald Francis O'Keefe
serving as co-consecrators
. He was installed in Des Moines on July 7, 1968. Bishop Dingman became known as a champion of rural issues and ecumenism
, and strengthened the laity
, priests, and nun
s of the diocese. He supported nuclear disarmament
and was open to discussion on the subject of women's ordination
. From 1976 to 1979, he served as president
of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
On October 4, 1979 Pope John Paul II made an historic visit to the Des Moines Diocese upon the suggestion of a local Iowa farmer, Joe Hays of Truro, and the invitation of Bishop Dingman. After landing at the Des Moines Airport, the pope visited the rural parish of St. Patrick
near Irish Settlement. He then celebrated a Mass at Living History Farms
in Urbandale
.
In October 1983 he was abducted by gun point by two juveniles, for whom the bishop would later advocate in court.
For his life work advocating for peace and justice issues, Bishop Dingman received the 1986 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award
, which is sponsored in part by his native diocese of Davenport, and his alma mater
St. Ambrose College.
After eighteen years as bishop, Dingman resigned due to poor health on October 14, 1986. He later died at age 78.
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 Des Moines
Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines
The Diocese of Des Moines is the Roman Catholic diocese for the southwestern quarter of the state of Iowa.Dioecesis Desmoinensis is the Latin title of the diocese, and the Diocese of Des Moines is the corporate title of the diocese. The Cathedral parish for the Diocese is St. Ambrose's Cathedral....
from 1968 to 1986.
Early life & Ministry
Maurice Dingman was born on a farm near St. PaulSt. Paul, Iowa
St. Paul is a city in Lee County, Iowa, United States. The population was 118 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Madison–Keokuk, IA-MO Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:St...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, to Theodore and Angela (née Witte) Dingman. He attended St. Ambrose College
Saint Ambrose University
St. Ambrose University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. It is located in a residential area of Davenport, Iowa.-History:...
in Davenport
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city located along the Mississippi River in Scott County, Iowa, United States. Davenport is the county seat of and largest city in Scott County. Davenport was founded on May 14, 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for his friend, George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk...
before studying in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at the Pontifical North American College
Pontifical North American College
The Pontifical North American College is a Roman Catholic educational institution in Rome, Italy educating seminarians for the dioceses in the United States and providing a residence for American priests studying in Rome. It was founded in 1859 by Blessed Pope Pius IX and was granted pontifical...
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
. He was ordained
Holy 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
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....
on December 8, 1939. Upon his return to Iowa, he taught at St. Ambrose Academy
Assumption High School (Davenport, Iowa)
Assumption High School is a Roman Catholic high school in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport. Charles Elbert is the current principal of Assumption High....
in Davenport from 1940 until 1943, when he became 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....
of the Diocese of Davenport
Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Davenport is a diocese of the Catholic Church for the southeastern quarter of the state of Iowa. There are within the diocese...
. He earned a Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law
Licentiate of Canon Law is the title of an advanced graduate degree with canonical effects in the Roman Catholic Church offered by pontifical universities and ecclesiastical faculties of canon law...
from 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...
at Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1946. From 1946 to 1953 he was principal of Bishop Hayes High School in Muscatine
Muscatine, Iowa
Muscatine is a city in Muscatine County, Iowa, United States. The population was 22,886 in the 2010 census, an increase from 22,697 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Muscatine County...
. He was later named superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of Catholic school
Catholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
s and chancellor of the diocese. He also served as 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...
at Ottumwa Naval Air Station
Ottumwa Industrial Airport
Ottumwa Regional Airport , formerly known as Ottumwa Industrial Airport, is a public airport located five miles northwest of the central business district of Ottumwa, a city in Wapello County, Iowa, United States. The airport is owned by the City of Ottumwa and is operated by the Airport Advisory...
and Davenport Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital
-Australia:* Werribee Mercy Hospital - Werribee, Victoria* Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne - Heidelberg, Victoria* Mercy Hospital, Western Australia - Mount Lawley, Western Australia-New Zealand:* Mercy Hospital - Auckland...
.
Bishop of Des Moines
On April 2, 1968, Dingman was appointed the sixth Bishop of Des Moines by Pope Paul VIPope 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
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....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following June 19 from Archbishop Luigi Raimondi
Luigi Raimondi
Luigi Raimondi was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints from 1973 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1973....
, with Bishops Ralph Leo Hayes
Ralph Leo Hayes
Ralph Leo Hayes was a 20th century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Helena in the state of Montana from 1933–1935, and as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1944-1966...
and Gerald Francis O'Keefe
Gerald Francis O'Keefe
Gerald Francis O'Keefe was a 20th century bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Paul in the state of Minnesota from 1961–1966 and bishop of the Diocese of Davenport in the state of Iowa from 1966-1993.-Early Life &...
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...
. He was installed in Des Moines on July 7, 1968. Bishop Dingman became known as a champion of rural issues and ecumenism
Catholic Church and ecumenism
The Catholic Church has been heavily involved in the ecumenical movement since the Second Vatican Council .- Before the Second Vatican Council :...
, and strengthened the laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
, priests, and nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s of the diocese. He supported nuclear disarmament
Nuclear disarmament
Nuclear disarmament refers to both the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons and to the end state of a nuclear-free world, in which nuclear weapons are completely eliminated....
and was open to discussion on the subject of women's ordination
Ordination of women
Ordination in general religious usage is the process by which a person is consecrated . The ordination of women is a regular practice among some major religious groups, as it was of several religions of antiquity...
. From 1976 to 1979, he served as president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
On October 4, 1979 Pope John Paul II made an historic visit to the Des Moines Diocese upon the suggestion of a local Iowa farmer, Joe Hays of Truro, and the invitation of Bishop Dingman. After landing at the Des Moines Airport, the pope visited the rural parish of St. Patrick
St. Patrick's Church (Cumming, Iowa)
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is a parish of the Diocese of Des Moines. The church is located near the town of Cumming, Iowa, United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
near Irish Settlement. He then celebrated a Mass at Living History Farms
Living History Farms
Living History Farms is a 500-acre open air museum located in Urbandale, Iowa. The museum's mission is to educate visitors and demonstrate the past 300 hundred years of Iowa's agricultural history...
in Urbandale
Urbandale, Iowa
Urbandale is a city in Polk and Dallas counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 29,072; a special census taken by the city in 2005 counted 35,904 residents and the United States Census Bureau estimated that 38,369 residents lived there in 2008...
.
In October 1983 he was abducted by gun point by two juveniles, for whom the bishop would later advocate in court.
For his life work advocating for peace and justice issues, Bishop Dingman received the 1986 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award
Pacem in Terris Award
The Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award is a Catholic peace award which has been given annually since 1964, in commemoration of the 1963 encyclical letter "Pacem in Terris" of Pope John XXIII...
, which is sponsored in part by his native diocese of Davenport, and his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
St. Ambrose College.
After eighteen years as bishop, Dingman resigned due to poor health on October 14, 1986. He later died at age 78.