- Feb 5, 2002
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NEW YORK – A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Wichita who served as an Army chaplain in World War II and the Korean war, known for risking his life to minister to troops on the front lines, will soon have a permanent statue in his honor at the state Capitol.
On March 22, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 431, which directs the Capitol Preservation Committee to create a memorial honoring Father Emil Joseph Kapaun at the state Capitol. The bill passed through both chambers of the Kansas Legislature with unanimous votes.
“The Diocese is thrilled to witness the desire of the people of Kansas to honor one of her own priests, and we are happy to be a part of the many individuals and organizations who will contribute to the memorial of Fr. Kapaun at the statehouse in Topeka,” Bishop Carl Kemme of Wichita said in a statement.
Born in 1916 on a rural farm in Kansas, Kapaun was ordained a Catholic priest in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944. In 1946 he separated from the Army and spent the next two years earning an advanced degree in education, enlisting as a chaplain for the second time in 1948.
Continued below.
cruxnow.com
On March 22, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 431, which directs the Capitol Preservation Committee to create a memorial honoring Father Emil Joseph Kapaun at the state Capitol. The bill passed through both chambers of the Kansas Legislature with unanimous votes.
“The Diocese is thrilled to witness the desire of the people of Kansas to honor one of her own priests, and we are happy to be a part of the many individuals and organizations who will contribute to the memorial of Fr. Kapaun at the statehouse in Topeka,” Bishop Carl Kemme of Wichita said in a statement.
Born in 1916 on a rural farm in Kansas, Kapaun was ordained a Catholic priest in 1940 and joined the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps in 1944. In 1946 he separated from the Army and spent the next two years earning an advanced degree in education, enlisting as a chaplain for the second time in 1948.
Continued below.
Catholic Army chaplain, Servant of God, to get statue at Kansas Capitol
A Catholic priest from the Diocese of Wichita who served as an Army chaplain in World War II and the Korean war, known for risking his life to minister to troops on the front lines, will soon have a permanent statue in his honor at the state capitol.
