Egidius Junger

Egidius Junger, also spelled Aegidius Junger (April 6, 1833 – December 26, 1895), was a German-born clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Nesqually from 1879 until his death in 1895.

Junger was born in Burtscheid in Rhenish Prussia. He received his early education at the schools of his native city, and made his classical studies at the gymnasium of Aachen. In 1853, he entered the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. He was later ordained to the priesthood in Mechelen on June 27, 1862. He came to the United States as a missionary in October of that year, being stationed at Walla Walla, Washington. He became rector of St. James Cathedral in Vancouver in 1864.

On August 6, 1879, Junger was appointed the second Bishop of Nesqually by Pope Leo XIII. He received his episcopal consecration on the following October 28 from Archbishop François Norbert Blanchet. The diocese experienced considerable growth under his administration, including an increase in the number of priests and parishes. He died at age 62.