Background
Paschang, John Linus was born on October 5, 1895 in Hemingford, Nebraska, United States. Son of Casper Paschang and Gertrude Fischer.
Paschang, John Linus was born on October 5, 1895 in Hemingford, Nebraska, United States. Son of Casper Paschang and Gertrude Fischer.
Doctor of Canon Law, Catholic University America, Washington, 1925. Master of Arts, Catholic University America, Washington, 1926. Doctor of Philosophy, Catholic University America, Washington, 1927.
Juris Doctor(honorary), Creighton University, 1960.
He was ordained to the priesthood on June 12, 1921. After serving as pastor of Saint Rose of Lima Church in Hooper (1921-1923), he furthered his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, District of Columbia, from where he earned a doctorate in canon law. He then served as pastor of Holy Cross Church in Omaha from 1927 to 1951.
On July 28, 1951, Paschang was appointed the fourth Bishop of Grand Island by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following October 9 from Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan, with Bishops Louis Benedict Kucera and Edward Joseph Hunkeler serving as co-consecrators.
During his tenure, he ordained 55 priests and established 33 churches, 15 parish houses, 13 schools, 11 parish centers, six convents, several rectories, and four hospital additions. He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), but was privately opposed to some of the Council"s more liberal reforms.
He also earned a stockbroker"s license to better his knowledge of financial investments for the church. After twenty-one years as bishop, Paschang retired on July 25, 1972.
He founded the Damian Leper Relief Society in 1976.
He moved to Saint Joseph"s Retirement Home in West Point in 1993, and said Mass every day in his room until he was hospitalized at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in 1999. At the time of his death, at age 103, he was the world"s oldest living Catholic bishop.
Member of Knights of Columbus (state chaplain 1938-1942).