24 Facts About Edward Braxton

Edward Kenneth Braxton was born on June 28,1944 and is an American Catholic prelate who served Bishop of Belleville from 2005 to 2020.

Edward Braxton attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Niles College Seminary, both in Chicago, then St Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.

Edward Braxton earned Bachelor, Masters, and Bachelor of Sacred Theology degrees, along with a Licentiate in Sacred Theology.

On May 13,1970, Edward Braxton was ordained as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago by Cardinal John Cody.

Edward Braxton began a post-doctoral fellowship at University of Chicago Divinity School.

In 1976, Braxton attended the Harvard University Divinity School, occupying the William A Coolidge Chair of Ecumenical Thought for a year.

The next year, Edward Braxton became a visiting professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame.

In 1978, Braxton was named chancellor for theological affairs in the Diocese of Cleveland for then Bishop James A Hickey.

When Hickey became Archbishop of Washington in 1980, Edward Braxton became his special assistant for theological affairs.

Edward Braxton was one of the first priests to be appointed to this type of collaborative work with a bishop on a full-time basis.

In 1983, Edward Braxton became the scholar in residence at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Edward Braxton's writings have appeared in the Harvard Theological Review, Theological Studies, Irish Theological Quarterly, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, Origins, Commonweal, America, and National Catholic Reporter.

In 1986, Braxton became the official theological consultant in New York City to William H Sadlier Inc.

In 1992, Edward Braxton returned to Illinois to become pastor of St Catherine of Siena Parish in Oak Park.

Edward Braxton was appointed an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis and titular bishop of Macomades Rusticiana by Pope John Paul II on March 28,1995.

Edward Braxton was consecrated by Cardinal Justin Rigali on May 17,1995, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

Edward Braxton was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles in Louisiana on December 12,2000.

Edward Braxton was installed on June 22,2005, as bishop of Belleville in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville, Illinois.

Edward Braxton served as a member of USCCB's Committees on Education, Science and Human Values, and of the committee on Scripture Translation.

In January 2006,24 priests in the diocese signed a letter stating that Edward Braxton was not allowing any of their input into decision-making and that he had an arrogant leadership style.

On January 24,2008, Edward Braxton apologized for mishandling diocese funds.

Edward Braxton had used $18,000 that was supposed to go to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith to purchase vestments, altar linens, and office furniture.

Edward Braxton said he had mistakenly believed he had discretionary power over these funds.

In February 2012, the Reverend William Rowe, pastor of Saint Mary's Church in Mount Carmel, Illinois, resigned from his post after Edward Braxton expressed concern about "how Father Rowe celebrated the Mass".