Biography

Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss, born June 16, 1932, is the eldest son of Elden F. Curtiss, Sr. (deceased), and Mary A. Neiger Curtiss (deceased). He has three brothers.

He completed studies at St. Edward Seminary College and St. Edward Seminary Theologate in Kenmore, Wash. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Baker (Oregon) on May 24, 1958, by Bishop Francis P. Leipzig. As a priest, he served parishes in Lakeview, LaGrande and Jordan Valley, Ore., as well as hospital chaplain.

Archbishop Curtiss took advance studies at Fordham University (New York City), University of Portland (Oregon) and the University of Notre Dame (Indiana). He holds a master of divinity degree and a master of arts in education administration.

After serving in the role of director of information and superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Baker, he became a faculty member and then president-rector of Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon.

He was ordained a bishop and installed as Bishop of Helena (Montana) on April 28, 1976. He served the Diocese of Helena 17 years. On May 4, 1993, he was appointed Archbishop of Omaha, and was installed as the Metropolitan Archbishop on June 25th, 1993. His resignation as Archbishop of Omaha due to age was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on June 3, 2009.

He looks forward to an active retirement within the Archdiocese of Omaha and the universal church. He plans a continued pastoral role in the archdiocese officiating at confirmations, and will be available for retreats and spiritual direction here and elsewhere. He will also give greater attention to his research and plans to write about the challenging relationship between faith and today’s contemporary culture.