ISSENMANN, CLARENCE G. (30 May 1907-27 July 1982), 7th bishop of Cleveland, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, to Innocent and Amelia Stricker Issenmann. He studied at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Ind., and St. Gregory Seminary and Mt. St. Mary Seminary in Cincinnati; and was ordained on 29 June 1932. Issenmann received degrees from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland and the Angelicum, Rome. He was named to the staff of the Denver Register and acquired a journalism doctorate from the Register College of Journalism. In 1938 he became assistant editor of the Catholic Telegraph Register of Cincinnati; in 1942, professor of theology at Mt. St. Mary Seminary; in 1945, chancellor of the archdiocese; and in 1954, auxiliary bishop of Cincinnati. In 1958 he became bishop of Columbus, episcopal chairman of the Press Dept., and assistant chairman of the Dept. for Lay Organizations of the Natl. Catholic Welfare Conference in Washington. On 7 Oct. 1964, Issenmann was named coadjutor bishop of Cleveland for the ailing Archbp. Hoban, becoming bishop in 1966 when Hoban died. Issenmann restructured the school board, opened new high schools, and developed special ministries to the deaf and mentally retarded. He opened St. Augustine Manor to provide skilled short-term nursing care, established the COMMISSION ON CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ACTION, and started the Martin de Porres Ctr. in the Glenville area. Issenmann began a priests' senate, clergy personnel board, and senate of religious women and established the Diocesan Pastoral Planning Office. Issenmann's health began deteriorating in the early 1970s, and he resigned in July 1974.
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