George Joseph Biskup

(Aug. 23, 1911-Oct. 17, 1979). Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, of Czech ancestry, Biskup was ordained in Rome on March 19, 1937. He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Dubuque, Iowa, in 1957, was appointed bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, in 1965, and was named coadjutor archbishop of Indianapolis “with right of succession” on July 26, 1967. He served as pastor of Holy Cross parish until he automatically became the third Indianapolis archbishop on January 14, 1970.

During his short episcopate, Biskup began the reorganization of archdiocesan government and implemented changes authorized in the post-Vatican II era. In 1971, he authorized lay distribution of communion, established a personnel board to advise him on clerical appointments, initiated a program to place seminarians in parishes and agencies to experience clerical life, increased the number of Indianapolis deaneries from two to four, and established the Priests’ Senate to advise him on archdiocesan policy.

In 1972, he enlarged the personnel board by adding senate nominees and reorganized the liturgical commission. He then established the ecumenical commission (1973) and Hispanic ministry (1974). He approved priests’ retirement at age 70 and sponsored a $2 million archdiocesan drive to fund clerical pensions. He authorized communion in the hand (1977) and the renovation of Ss. Peter And Paul Cathedral.

Biskup faced a financial and enrollment crisis in Catholic education. During his time six high schools moved, closed, or merged, and Cathedral and Brebeuf high schools became coeducational. He also approved plans to close or consolidate some inner-city elementary schools.

In late 1975, the archbishop underwent surgery for malignant tumors. His health was never fully restored, and he resigned effective March 26, 1979. He died in St. Vincent Hospital and was interred in the chapel of Calvary Cemetery mausoleum, construction of which he had authorized in 1972.

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