Chicago Native and Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery, Dies
Chicago (Sept. 16, 2024) – Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, passed away Sept. 13, 2024. He was 84 years old.
Slattery was ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago on April 26, 1966, by the late Cardinal John P. Cody, and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on May 1 of the same year at former Visitation Church in Chicago.
Slattery was born on Aug. 11, 1940, in Chicago to William Edward Slattery and Winifred Margaret (Brennan) Slattery. He was the second child of seven siblings. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents emigrated to the United States from Ireland.
He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.
“I’m saddened by the news of Bishop Slattery’s death, but I am thankful to our Almighty God for his service to the Church and his unwavering support to Catholic Extension Society,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “Join me in praying for this son of Chicago.”
After ordination to the priesthood, Slattery served as assistant pastor at St. Jude the Apostle Parish in South Holland, Ill., where he served from 1966 to 1971. In 1971, he began a lengthy service with the Catholic Extension Society, a funding agency for the American home missions, with headquarters in Chicago. Slattery served as the organization’s vice president from 1971 and then as president from 1976 until 1994.
Later, he was assigned to St. Rose of Lima Parish on 48th Street in Chicago where he served as pastor until 1989.
Slattery was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II and installed as third bishop of the Diocese of Tulsa at Holy Family Cathedral on Jan. 12, 1994. He retired in 2016 and served the Diocese of Tulsa as bishop emeritus.
Slattery was preceded in death by his parents William E. Slattery and Winifred M. (Brennan) Slattery; and a sister, Mary E. Mathewson-Michael. He is survived by his siblings, Winnie C. Dollear, Anne T. Stevenson, Catherine J. Freihage, Margaret I. Sheehan and James E. Slattery.
Funeral services will be held in the Diocese of Tulsa from Sept. 26-28. Details can be found at https://dioceseoftulsa.org/funeral-arrangements.
For the obituary in both English and Spanish issued by the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, please visit: https://dioceseoftulsa.org/in-memoriam.