Background
Watters, Loras Joseph was born on October 15, 1915 in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. Son of Martin James and Carolyn R. (Sisler) Watters.
Watters, Loras Joseph was born on October 15, 1915 in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. Son of Martin James and Carolyn R. (Sisler) Watters.
Bachelor, Loras College, Dubuque, 1937. STB, Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, 1940. Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Catholic University America, 1941.
Master of Arts, Catholic University America, 1947. Doctor of Philosophy, Catholic University America, 1954.
Ordained priest Archdiocese of Dubuque, Iowa, 1941, auxiliary bishop, 1965-1969, superintendent schools, 1967-1969. Assistant pastor St. Martin's Church, Cascade, Iowa, 1941-1945. Member faculty Loras College, 1945-1956.
Principal Loras Academy, Dubuque, 1947-1952, head education department, 1954-1956. Spiritual director North America College, Rome, 1956-1960. Director American Martyrs Retreat House, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 1960-1965.
Ordained bishop, 1965. Pastor Church of Nativity, Dubuque, 1965-1969. Bishop Diocese of Winona, Minnesota, 1969—1986, bishop emeritus, 1986—2009.
Member bishops' committee on priestly formation National Conference Catholic Bishops, 1970-1978, chairman, 1972-1975.