Edward Kenneth Braxton (born June 28, 1944) is an American Catholic prelate who served Bishop of Belleville from 2005 to 2020.

[1] Before his ordination, Braxton served as a deacon for one year at St. Raymond De Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

In 1976, Braxton attended the Harvard University Divinity School, occupying the William A. Coolidge Chair of Ecumenical Thought for a year.

[1] In 1978, Braxton was named chancellor for theological affairs in the Diocese of Cleveland for then Bishop James A. Hickey.

[1] While in Washington, Braxton also worked in ministry at St. John the Baptist Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland.

[1] In 1986, Braxton became the official theological consultant in New York City to William H. Sadlier Inc., a publisher of Catholic Religious Education books.

While at St. Catherine, Braxton stirred resentment among some parishioners by refusing to allow Sister Teresita Weind to deliver homilies at Mass.

[2][1][3] In August 1997, Braxton addressed the National Black Catholic Congress on the topic "Take Into account Various Situations and Cultures: Evangelization and African-Americans".

As was the normal procedure, Cardinal Francis George, then archbishop of Chicago, asked the priests and laity in the Diocese of Belleville for their input on Gregory's replacement.

However, before the Vatican received it, Pope John Paul II appointed Braxton as bishop on March 15, 2005.

In January 2006, 24 priests in the diocese signed a letter stating that Braxton was not allowing any of their input into decision-making and that he had an arrogant leadership style.