Justin Albert Driscoll

Justin Driscoll was born on September 30, 1920, in Bernard, Iowa, to William and Agnes (née Healey) Driscoll.[1] He studied at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1942.[1] He completed his postgraduate studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.[1]

Driscoll was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Dubuque on July 28, 1945.[2] He then served as a teacher at Loras Academy until 1948, when he became secretary to Archbishop Henry Rohlman.[1] In 1952 he earned his Ph.D. from Catholic University.[1]Returning to Iowa, he served as secretary to Archbishop Leo Binz (1952–1953) and superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese (1953–1967).[1]

Driscoll was named president of Loras College in 1967.[1] During his administration, he gave full scholarships to twelve African American students. According to later Loras President Francis Friedl, these students were radicalized after spending a summer with Jesse Jackson's organization in Chicago When the students returned to Loras, they occupied a school building and sent a list of demands to the administration. After the students left the building, they were suspended for a semester. The semester length of the suspension and other factors made Driscoll unpopular with some faculty, who then sought his resignation.[3]

On September 8, 1970, Driscoll was appointed the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Fargo by Pope Paul VI.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on October 18, 1970. from Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, with Archbishops Leo Binz and James Byrne serving as co-consecrators.[2]

Justin Driscoll died on November 19, 1984, in Bismarck, North Dakota, at age 64.[2]