Edward Francis Hoban (June 27, 1878 – September 22, 1966) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland in Ohio from 1945 to 1966. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Rockford in Illinois from 1928 to 1942 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago in Illinois from 1921 to 1928.
In 1952, Pope Pius XII gave Hoban the personal title of archbishop.
Hoban was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Chicago by Archbishop James Quigley on July 11, 1903.[4] After his ordination, Hoban was assigned briefly as curate at St. Agnes Parish in Chicago. He then traveled to Rome to attended Pontifical Gregorian University, earning a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in 1906.[2]
Returning to Chicago in 1906, Hoban was named as the assistant chancellor to Monsignor Edmund Dunne, the chancellor of the archdiocese. When Dunne was named bishop of the Diocese of Peoria in 1910, Hoban replaced him as chancellor. He also served as professor and treasurer of Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago.[3] As chancellor, Hoban supervised the establishment of Associated Catholic Charities of Chicago.[1] In November 1916, Pope Benedict XV named him a papal chamberlain.
As auxiliary bishop he served in several administrative posts, including as vicar general in 1924. In 1926 Hoban served as the president of the International Eucharistic Congress. This was the first Congress held outside of Europe, attracting over one million attendees. Its success was attributed, in large part, to Hoban's administrative skill and his ability to marshal and organize the efforts of clergy, religious and laity.[1]
Bishop of Rockford
Hoban was named the second bishop of the Diocese of Rockford by Pope Pius XI on February 21, 1928; he was installed on May 15, 1928.[4] In 1931, Hoban received the Commander of the Order of the Crown award from the Fascist Government of Italy.[5]
As bishop, Hoban encouraged refugees displaced by World War II to settle in Cleveland.[6] He also established national and ethnic parishes, but insisted that their parochial schools only teach in English.[6] He helped rebuild and remodel St. John's Cathedral, and enlarged St. John's College, both in Cleveland.[3] Hoban centralized Parmadale Family Services, constructed additional nursing homes, and opened Holy Family Cancer Home in Parma, Ohio, a hospice for cancer patients.[3] Hoban opened a minor seminary and expanded the Newman Apostolate for Catholic students attending public universities and colleges.[3]
Hoban received the personal title of archbishop on July 23, 1951.[4] He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome between 1962 and 1965. During Hoban's 21-year-long tenure, the number of Catholics in the diocese increased from 546,000 to 870,000, even though the diocese lost six counties with the erection of the Diocese of Youngstown in 1943.[3] Hoban also established 61 parishes, 47 elementary schools, and a dozen high schools.[3]
Edward Hoban died in Cleveland on September 22, 1966, at age 88. He is buried in the crypt of St. John's Cathedral.[3]
