Most Reverend Edmund M. Dunne
Second Bishop of Peoria, 1909-1929
The Most Reverend was born February 2, 1864, in Chicago, into an Irish family that traced its history back to the 12th century.
By special permission admitted to the priesthood studies at an early age of 17
Distinguished student speaking Latin, German, Italian, Polish and modern Greek almost as fluently as English, with reading knowledge of several other languages. He also played organ, piano, violin and loved to sing.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1887 at St. Quintin Church in Louvain, Belgium.
Appointed Second Bishop of Peoria
In the summer of 1909, the chancellor of the Chicago Archdiocese was appointed the Second Bishop of Peoria, being consecrated September 21, in St. Mary Cathedral. There were those who said, "I could have told you so."
He recalled the day of his installation in Peoria:
…A flood of telegrams and letters came pouring in from priests and people of the Peoria diocese assuring me of their sincere welcome, profound esteem and hearty cooperation. The little messenger boy from the local telegraph office near my home could not comprehend it. After trudging back and forth one day at least a dozen times with messages of greeting and congratulations, he finally summoned up courage to ask what it all meant.
“What's going on here,” he inquired, “a wedding?”
“Yes,” replied my mother. “My son is going to be wedded to the Diocese of Peoria!”
His ten-year experience of working with Italian immigrants at the Holy Guardian Angel Church in Chicago prepared him for the new task. Just two months after his arrival in Peoria, the newly-appointed Bishop personally visited the scene of the Cherry Mine disaster doing what he could to comfort the families of the victims. He arranged for care for the widows and orphans at St. Bede’s and St. Mary’s orphanage in Metamora. He also organized the collection of more than $8,000 for their support and invited Sisters who spoke various languages to assist the surviving families in whatever ways possible.'
He was an enthusiastic supporter of Pope Pius X’s decree on children’s age for First Holy Communion. “Away then with all fear of their childish levity and lack of reverence,” he said. “Their tender minds and hearts are ready. Let us not be more solicitous about the interests of God’s glory than He Himself.”
A Generous Man
The first impressions of Bishop Dunne never required revision. He was a man of full information, poised in judgment, charitable toward the rich as well as the poor, tolerant, sympathetic and modest. He loved the common people and his supposed sternness was just a shield of his sensitive tenderness. The grip of his hand was not a perfunctory clasp, it was genuine. He wore his heart upon his sleeve.
Independently rich in his own name, he never took a penny from the Catholic Church during the score of years he served as Bishop, and many a person and institution – unknown to the world at large – was aided from his private fortune.
He loved clean, outdoor sports; in his younger days he was an athlete. He was a devout churchman, good citizen and a patriot. He loved his fellowmen in his church and out of it. He loved his flag and what it stands for. Among all classes he was held in high esteem.
In 1914, Bishop Dunne purchased Oesterles’ Grove, a popular picnic ground in West Peoria, where a modern, three-story fire-proof orphanage for 200 children was to be built. On August 15, 1914, St. Mary’s Orphanage from Metamora moved here and with the location it changed the name to Guardian Angel Home. It is attributed to Bishop’s fond memories of his Chicago Italian parish, Guardian Angel. Bishop put the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception in charge of the new home which was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1914.
In 1917, at the prompting of the Holy See, Bishop Dunne inaugurated Clergy Conferences dealing with theology, discipline, liturgy, morals and scripture.
Bishop Dunne’s interest in Catholic education was as lively as his predecessor’s. Testimony to this was a memorable occasion in 1913, when he dedicated three new Catholic schools in Ottawa – St. Francis, St. Columba and St. Patrick. Another compliment to the Bishop’s educational efforts was his encouragement of the Newman Centers for the college students, beginning with University of Illinois in Champaign.
Bishop Dunne died on October 17, 1929, at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, and was buried with great ceremony from the Cathedral on October 22, 1929, at St. Mary Cemetery.
