Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Retired Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz is set to be honored for his 65 years of service in the priesthood at the upcoming Chrism Mass, on April 14, at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln. This commemoration will celebrate his long-standing commitment to the Church, which began in 1960 with his ordination as a priest for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee following his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Bishop Bruskewitz initially served five years as an assistant pastor in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. In 1965, he returned to Rome to pursue a doctorate in sacred theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He later taught dogmatic theology at St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee for two years before taking a position at the Congregation for Catholic Education at the Vatican.

In 1980, Bruskewitz returned to Wisconsin to serve as pastor at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, a role he filled for 12 years. His appointment as the Bishop of Lincoln came on March 24, 1992, by Pope St. John Paul II, leading to his ordination on May 13 of the same year—the first to occur within the Diocese of Lincoln.

Reflecting on his career, Bishop Bruskewitz stated, "I only wanted to be a parish priest. I had no thought of serving in Rome or being a bishop." However, his connections with high-ranking Church officials and participation in key events like the Second Vatican Council marked his journey through the higher ranks of the Church.

Despite his administrative duties, Bruskewitz emphasized his call to parish ministry and the importance of a well-rounded Catholic education. He suggested, "Pilgrimages, the extent that people can do it, especially within the diocese, might be a good place to start," and recommended the Emmaus Institute for studies within the diocese. He further mentioned that many diocesan parishes offer enriching study groups and lectures.

Bishop Bruskewitz advised parents to look beyond the outward appearance of their children, stressing the importance of a robust Catholic foundation amidst the challenges of life. "As children go off to their careers and lives, it’s very helpful to have a good background of Catholic education," he stated.

Bishop Bruskewitz served as the Bishop of Lincoln until his mandatory retirement at age 75, after which he briefly continued as apostolic administrator until November 2012. He expressed gratitude and encouraged continued spiritual and educational growth within the Church community as he marks this significant milestone.