Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler (1964-1990)

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Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler (1964-1990)

Ernest Leo Unterkoefler (1917-1993) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Ernest L. Unterkoefler and Anna Rose Chambers.  In 1944, Unterkoefler became an ordained priest for the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia. He then served as a curate in Richmond until 1947, when he was transferred to Arlington, Virginia.  He returned to Richmond in 1950, and in 1954 became secretary of the diocesan tribunal. He served numerous positions for the Diocese of Richmond including chancellor, vicar general, notary, and tribunal secretary.  In 1961, he was named a papal chamberlain, titular bishop of Latopolis, as well as auxiliary bishop of Richmond.  In 1962, Unterkoefler was invited to become a Council Father for the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) and attended the four sessions that took place between 1962 and 1965.  It was during this time, in 1964, when Unterkoefler was named and installed as tenth bishop of Charleston.  Bishop Unterkoefler served South Carolina for twenty-six years, retiring in 1990.  He died in 1993.

Unterkoefler was a supporter of social justice and an active participant during the Civil Rights movement.  In 1963, he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Washington, D.C., and supported integration in South Carolina's schools as well as desegregated Catholic organizations within the state.  He also participated in ecumenical organizations and served nationally as chairman of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, from 1978-1981.

Social Justice, 1941-1969
Bishop Ernest L. Unterkoefler (1964-1990)