Hilary Baumann Hacker (January 10, 1913 – November 6, 1990) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck in North Dakota from 1957 to 1982.
Hacker attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1962 to 1965, and dedicated much of his tenure implementing the council's reforms, especially the Mass of Paul VI and greater participation of the laity.[1] His tenure was also marked by high Catholic school enrollment, as well as the founding of Bishop Ryan High School and Trinity High School. He also established an annual appeal called God's Share; between 1956 and 1963, the annual collection rose from $165,000 to $225,000.[1]
Retirement and legacy
Pope Paul II accepted Hacker's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck on June 28, 1982. He spent his retirement at Christ the King Parish in Mandan, North Dakota and later at Emmaus Place, a retirement home for priests in Bismarck.[1]
Hilary Hacker died on November 6, 1990, at age 77 in St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck. He is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.