Eldon Bernard Schuster (March 10, 1911 – September 4, 1998) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Great Falls in Montana from 1961 until 1977.

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

Eldon Schuster was born in Calio, North Dakota, to John Francis and Leona Marie (née Osborn) Schuster.^[1] He attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.^[1]

Priesthood[edit]

Schuster was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Great Falls on May 27, 1937.^[2]He made his postgraduate studies at Oxford University in England (1938–39) and served as vice-chancellor of the diocese (1941–1943).^[1] Schuster served as rector of St. Ann's Cathedral (1943–1946) before attending St. Louis University.^[1] He became superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese in 1946, and was named a domestic prelate in 1949.^[1]

Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop of Great Falls[edit]

On October 30, 1961, Schuster was appointed auxiliary bishop of Great Falls and titular bishop of Amblada by Pope John XXIII.^[2] He received his episcopal consecration on December 21, 1961, from Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, with Bishops William Joseph Condon and Joseph Michael Gilmore serving as co-consecrators.^[2] Following the death of Bishop Condon, Schuster was named the fourth bishop of Great Falls on December 2, 1967.^[2] After ten years as bishop, Schuster resigned; Pope Paul VI accepted his resignation on December 27, 1977.^[2]

Eldon Schuster died on September 4, 1998, at age 87.

References[edit]