Edward Hughes (bishop)

Edward Thomas Hughes ( born November 13, 1920 in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, † 25 December 2012) was bishop of Metuchen.

Life

Edward Thomas Hughes, son of Irish immigrants, he studied philosophy and Catholic theology at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook ( Pittsburgh) and received on 31 May 1947 in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Philadelphia ordination. He first taught religion and history at the St. James High School in Chester. In 1950, he completed a master's degree in American History at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1954 he became assistant pastor in Jenkintown, later chaplain in the Newman Club of Beaver College. In 1956 he became vice-rector of the St. Charles Seminary. He was from 1961 to 1970 superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, later pastor in Secane (Pennsylvania).

Pope Paul VI. appointed him on 14 June 1976 for the Titular Bishop of Segia and Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. The archbishop of Philadelphia, Cardinal John Joseph Krol, donated to him on 21 July of the same year the episcopal ordination; Co-consecrators were Gerald Vincent McDevitt Auxiliary Bishops John Joseph Graham and Martin Nicholas Lohmuller from Philadelphia.

Pope John Paul II appointed him on 11 December 1986 as Bishop of Metuchen; he was introduced to the office on 5 February 1987. On July 8, 1997, Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation due to age.

Hughes was involved in issues of politics and citizenship. In 1994, he supported the initiative of women at the altar. In 1995 he turned against the Democratic candidate for governor in New Jersey, Jim McGreevey because of his statements in the debate about abortion. In 1996, he was a central figure, which prevented a peripheral hospital merger in New Brunswick. He was between 1987 and 1997 activists of the Respect for Life initiative in his diocese.