Dingman was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Davenport on December 8, 1939, by Bishop Ralph Hayes in the Chapel of Our Lady of Humility at the North American College.[2] 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 and Bishop Henry Rohlman's secretary.
Dingman became known as a champion of rural issues and ecumenism, and strengthened the laity, priests, and nuns of the diocese.[1] He supported nuclear disarmament and was open to discussion on the subject of women's ordination.[1] From 1976 to 1979, he served as president of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference.
On October 4, 1979, Pope John Paul II visited the Diocese of Des Moines on the suggestion of Joe Hays, a farmer in Truro, Iowa, and on the invitation of Dingman.[6] 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 the Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa.
In October 1983, Dingman was abducted by gunpoint by two juveniles, whose advocate in court the bishop later became.[1]
Later life and death
On April 17, 1986, Dingman suffered a massive stroke in his kitchen.[7] He recuperated at his family home in St. Paul. On October 14, 1986, Pope John Paul II accepted Dingman's resignation as bishop of Des Moines due to poor health.[3] For his life work as an advocate for peace and justice issues, Dingman received the 1986 Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award, sponsored in part by the Diocese of Davenport, and St. Ambrose College.
Maurice Dingman died on February 1, 1992, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. His funeral was celebrated at St. Ambrose Cathedral, and he was buried in Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.[8]
References
^ abcdeHudson, David; Marvin Bergman; Loren Horton (2008). The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
