Bishop Joseph Lennox Federal, a man devoted to serving his fellow man, died Thursday at the age of 90.
Bishop Federal led the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City for two decades, from 1960 to 1980. He served under six popes and participated in all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council, 1962-65.
Bishop Federal was known for his human qualities. As Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general of the diocese, stated during a celebration in December of 1994 to honor Bishop Federal's 60th anniversary as a priest, "His ability to keep us together in difficult times . . . and his patience with our human limitation were his hallmarks and virtues that endeared him to us as an effective leader." Following Bishop Federal's death, Fitzgerald aptly noted, "It is the end of an historic era."
It was an era full of service. During his leadership, the Catholic population in Utah increased 25 percent. Bishop Federal established the Diocesan Office of Education and authorized the construction of four new parishes, eight new satellite missions and the renovation or rebuilding of six other parishes. He also commissioned the restoration of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in 1975.
Bishop Federal continued to serve in various community and diocesan ways following his retirement. That he wanted to do more than his then frail body would allow him to was evident with a statement he made on Jan. 13, his 90th birthday: "God has always been good to me and I cannot but wish that there were some more things I had been able to accomplish."
He accomplished a lot. In 1995 he was honored by the Friends of St. Joseph Villa for his service to the elderly and the community. And the Utah Legislature honored him in 1985 for his "kind and caring demeanor and concern for all people."
Bishop Federal will be missed by all in the community. The values he represented are those that benefit all, regardless of religion.