Born in Avon, Minnesota, United States, Sowada was raised on a farm near St.

[1] He was ordained to the priesthood for the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross (commonly known as the Crosiers) on May 31, 1958 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

[1] On May 29, 1969, he was appointed bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Agats, Indonesia and was ordained on November 29, 1969.

He opposed the exploitation and cultural suppression of the Asmat by foreign logging companies and the military.

[3] Sowada wrote books on Asmat art and culture and collected hundreds of artifacts.