William Edward Cousins

William Edward Cousins (August 20, 1902 – September 14, 1988) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 1958 to 1977.

Early years

Born in Chicago, Illinois, William Cousins studied at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary, and was ordained to the priesthood on April 23, 1927. He then served as director of diocesan missions, and hosted retreats and other services in various states.

Bishop of Chicago and Peoria

On December 17, 1948, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Titular Bishop of Forma by Pope Pius XII. Cousins received his episcopal consecration on March 7, 1949 from Samuel Cardinal Stritch, with Bishops John Boylan and Albert Zuroweste serving as co-consecrators.

Later Bishop Cousins was appointed Bishop of Peoria, Illinois on May 21, 1952. During his tenure, he established five new parishes and six new grade schools.

Archbishop of Milwaukee

Cousins was appointed the eighth Archbishop of Milwaukee on December 18, 1958. From 1962 to 1965, he attended the Second Vatican Council, during which he sat on the Commission on Communications Media and on the Lay Apostolate. During the civil rights movement, Cousins was pressured to respond to the activities of his priests, particularly Fr. James Groppi, who led many civil rights marches and protests. In 1967, in response to many Milwaukee Catholics' dissatisfaction with Groppi, the Archbishop stated his support for open housing and Groppi's other objectives, but rejected the priest's tactics.

Archbishop Cousins retired on September 17, 1977, after nineteen years of service. He died in Milwaukee at age 86.

In recent years, allegations have surfaced that Cousins was involved in the cover-up of child sexual abuse cases in the Milwaukee diocese.