Ernest John Primeau

Who was Ernest John Primeau?

Ernest John Primeau was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Manchester from 1960 to 1974.

Primeau was born in Chicago, Illinois, and there studied at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal George Mundelein on April 7, 1934. After serving at parishes and schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago, he spent twelve years in Rome as rector of St. Mary of the Lake, the Chicago house of studies. In 1958 he was named pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Chicago.

On November 27, 1959, Primeau was appointed the sixth Bishop of Manchester, New Hampshire, by Pope John XXIII.

He received his episcopal consecration on February 13, 1960 from Cardinal Albert Gregory Meyer, with Bishops Martin Dewey McNamara and Raymond Peter Hillinger serving as co-consecrators. He was installed at Cathedral of St. Joseph on March 15, 1960. During the Second Vatican Council, Primeau was one of the more influential and articulate voices among the Council Fathers. He spoke out in support of the empowerment of the laity, once declaring, "Let this talk of their duty of subjection cease."