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Daniel James Gercke

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Daniel James Gercke
Bishop of Tucson
Titular Archbishop of Cotyaeum
AppointedJune 21, 1923
InstalledJune 21, 1923
Term endedSeptember 28, 1960
PredecessorHenry Regis Granjon
SuccessorFrancis Joseph Green
Orders
OrdinationJune 1, 1901
by Patrick John Ryan
ConsecrationNovember 6, 1924
by Dennis Joseph Dougherty
Personal details
Born(1874-10-09)October 9, 1874
DiedMarch 19, 1964(1964-03-19) (aged 89)
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsChristopher and Catherine (née Shea) Gercke
EducationSt. Charles Borromeo Seminary
St. Joseph's College, Philadelphia

Daniel James Gercke (October 9, 1874 – March 19, 1964) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Tucson in Arizona from 1923 to 1960.

Biography

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Early life

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Daniel Gercke was born in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Christopher and Catherine (née Shea) Gercke.[1] He attended St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia, from where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1891.[1] He completed his theological studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook.[2]

Priesthood

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Gercke was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick Ryan on June 1, 1901.[3] He then served as a curate at St. Joseph's Parish in Girardville, Pennsylvania, and afterwards at Holy Trinity Parish in Philadelphia.[1] He briefly served at St. Mary's in Philadelphia before going to Vigan City, Philippines, in 1903.[1] He served as vicar general of the Diocese of Nueva Cáceres in the Philippines from 1910 to 1919.[1]

Gercke was named a domestic prelate by Pope Benedict XV in 1915, and returned to Philadelphia in 1919. He then served as rector of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.[1]

Bishop of Tucson

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On June 21, 1923, Gercke was appointed the third bishop of the Diocese of Tucson by Pope Pius XI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on November 6, 1923, from Cardinal Dennis Dougherty, with Bishops John MacGinley and James Paul McCloskey serving as co-consecrators.[3]

Retirement and legacy

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On September 28, 1960, Pope Paul VI accepted Gercke's resignation as bishop of Tucson and named him as titular archbishop of Cotyaeum on the same date.[3] Daniel Gercke died on March 19, 1964, at age 89.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig. ISSN 0364-6394. LCCN 11010944.
  2. ^ "Episcopal Alumni". St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Archived from the original on 2009-10-15.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Archbishop Daniel James Gercke". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Tucson
1923–1960
Succeeded by