James Patrick Keleher

[3] After his ordination, Keleher continued his studies at St. Mary of the Lake, obtaining a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in 1962 with a dissertation on the writings of Augustine of Hippo.

He was consecrated on December 11, 1984, by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, with Bishops William Cosgrove and Thomas Murphy serving as co-consecrators.

[3] In 1996, Keleher started an education program to fight child sexual abuse in the archdiocese and instituted a background questionnaire for anyone working with children.

[5] On January 7, 2004, John Paul II appointed Bishop Joseph Naumann to serve as coadjutor archbishop for the archdiocese.

[6] On February 21, 2004, Keleher requested that parishes and other Catholic institutions within the archdiocese stop inviting politicians who support abortion rights for women to any events.

This request was precipitated by the University of St. Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas, inviting then Governor Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic who supports abortion rights, to speak at an event.

[7] On January 15, 2005, Keleher submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 for bishops.