Edward D. Head

Head was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York on January 27, 1945[1][2][3] by Cardinal Francis Spellman at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, New York City.[2] Head earned a master's degree from the New York School of Social Work in 1948.[2]

Head served in many capacities, including as an educator, prior to being appointed auxiliary bishop.[2] He taught sociology at Notre Dame College on Staten Island[2] before serving as assistant pastor at both Sacred Heart Parish in the Bronx and St. Roch's Parish on Staten Island.[2]

In September 1947, Head became a staff member of the archdiocesan Catholic Charities Family Service Department.[2] He served an assistant pastor at St. Veronica's Parish in Greenwich Village, New York City, for 17 years while he worked at Catholic Charities.[2]

Head was named associate director of Family Services in March 1948,[2] serving in that capacity until he became director of social research for Catholic Charities in 1956.[2] Pope John XXIII honored Head in July 1962 by naming him a papal chamberlain.[2] In 1964, Head went to minister at St. Monica's Parish in Manhattan.[2]In May 1966, Head was given the title of domestic prelate by Pope Paul VI.[2]

On October 15, 1966, Head was appointed executive director and secretary of Catholic Charities by Cardinal Terence Cooke.[2] In these capacities in the organization, Head oversaw nearly 1,000 employees,[2] and administrated an annual budget of millions of dollars. Head became a parochial assistant at St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1967.[2]

On March 19, 1970, Head was consecrated an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York[1][2][4]and as Titular Bishop of Ard Sratha.[1] Head served, among other assignments, as executive director of Catholic Charities in the archdiocese.[2]

On January 23, 1973, Head was named as the 11th Bishop of Buffalo by Pope Paul VI;[2] and he was installed on March 19, 1973.[1][2][4][3][5]

Fundraising for Catholic Charities increased by an extreme degree under Head's leadership in the Diocese, including the year of his retirement.[2]

Head was involved in many activities as Bishop of Buffalo.[4] Under his leadership, many institutes and offices were created in the Diocese.[4] Many of these endeavors include the Religious Education Coordinators Council; the Priests' Retirement Board; the Center for Church Vocations; the Western New York Catholic Hospital Health Care Council; the Peace and Justice Commission; the Office of Vicar for Religious; and the Permanent Diaconate Program.[4]

Additional efforts included the Office of Vicar for Campus Ministry; the Organist Enrichment Program; the Diocesan Marian Commission; the Office of Vicar for the Central City; Daybreak Productions; the Catholic Charities Parish Outreach Program; the Little Portion Friary; the Pope John Paul II Residence; the Agenda for the 80's; the Diocesan Radio Studio; and the Lay Ministry Advisory Board.[4]

Further endeavors created and/or supervised by Head included the consolidation of the Catholic Education Department; the Renew Program; the Office of Church Ministry; the relocation and consolidation of Diocesan Offices in the Catholic Center; the Office of Black Ministry; the Hispanic Apostolate; the Commission on Women in the Church and Society; the Department of Pro-Life Activities; the New Visions Commission for Pastoral Planning; the reorganization of 10 Central City parishes; and others.[4]

In 1995, upon celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination, Head reflected on his appointment as Bishop of Buffalo.[3] Head is re-quoted in a WBFO article by Eileen Buckley, as well as on a page announcing his death on the Diocese of Buffalo website, in regard to his appointment as Bishop of Buffalo by Pope Paul VI, stating:

In 1973, Pope Paul, VI, could have sent this church of Buffalo a wiser bishop, a holier bishop, a bishop more astute in administration, or a bishop more gifted in public speaking. But, I don't think Pope Paul could have sent the Diocese a bishop who had tried harder to love you and to serve you.[2][3]

Head ordained 124 men to the priesthood during his time as Bishop of Buffalo.[2] It has been estimated that Head confirmed 50,000 young people to the Church during his 22 years of service in Buffalo.[2][6]