Quick Facts
Biography
Louis Aloysius Lootens (March 17, 1827 – January 13, 1898) was a Belgian-born prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Vicar Apostolic of Idaho (1868–76) and auxiliary bishop of Vancouver Island (1876–98).
Biography
Early years
Lootens was born in Bruges to Charles and Catherine (née Beijaert) Lootens. He studied for the priesthood in Paris, France, where he was ordained by Bishop Modeste Demers on June 14, 1851. He immigrated to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1852, and spent nine years as a missionary in Vancouver Island and then six years in California, United States. He was eventually incardinated into the Archdiocese of San Francisco by Archbishop Joseph Sadoc Alemany. He there served at St. Patrick's Church in Sonora, at St. Raphael's Church in Marin County, and at St. Vincent's Church in Petaluma.
Episcopal ministry
On March 3, 1868, Lootens was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Idaho and Titular Bishop of Castabala by Pope Pius IX. He received his episcopal consecration on the following August 9 from Archbishop Alemany, with Bishops Thaddeus Amat y Brusi and Eugene O'Connell serving as co-consecrators. In 1870, the first Catholic church was erected in Boise, but was scarcely dedicated when it was burned down. He resigned as vicar apostolic on July 16, 1876, and was subsequently appointed auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Vancouver Island.
Lootens died at Vancouver Island, at age 70.