John J. Keane (bishop) - The Catholic University of America

The Catholic University of America

Bishop Keane was appointed as the first rector of The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1886 while he continued as Bishop of Richmond. On August 12, 1888 he was relieved of his responsibilities in Richmond and named Titular Bishop of Iasus so that he could focus his attention on establishing the new school.

He soon gained a reptation as an administrator and an orator who was widely quoted in the press. At the same time he became aligned with the more progressive wing of the hierarchy because of the stances he took. He advocated for the Knights of Labor, took part in the Cahenslyism controversy, the quick Americanization of immigrants, the full representation of the Catholic Church at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago and his positions on the school question. His democratic and liberal policies made him enemies with more conservative members of the U.S. Hierarchy and those at the Holy See, whence there came in 1896 a request for his resignation as rector.