Rummell, Joseph

Rummell, Joseph (Francis) (1876–1964) Catholic prelate; born in Baden, Germany. Emigrating to the U.S.A. at age six, he was ordained in the New York archdiocese (1902), where he served before becoming bishop of Omaha (1928) and archbishop of New Orleans (1935–62). He was an efficient builder and administrator but became best known for his stand in the 1950s against racial segregation in schools; he eventually desegregated all Catholic schools in the New Orleans archdiocese, despite heated opposition from a group of Catholics, three of whom he excommunicated.