After Archbishop Bergan retired in 1969, Auxiliary Bishop Sheehan was named his replacement.
On Aug. 8, 1969 he was installed as Omaha's third archbishop, a position he held for nearly 24 years.
A native of Emerson, NE, he was the first native son of the archdiocese to hold the office of Archbishop of Omaha.
Archbishop Sheehan has earned a national reputation for his support of Catholic education. His campaign for educational excellence raised more than $26 million to improve Catholic education in the Omaha Metropolitan Area.
During Archbishop Sheehan's tenure, the archdiocese was a front-runner in applying development methods for the support of Catholic education. Many of the archdiocese's schools have endowments and there is a tuition support program to help needy youth attend elementary and secondary Catholic schools.
In recognition of his dedication to Catholic schools, the National Catholic Educational Association presented Archbishop Sheehan with the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in 1992.
Responding to the Second Vatican Council's challenge for personal and institutional renewal within the Church, Archbishop Sheehan led efforts to establish the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council in the early 1970s. He gathered representatives from the ranks of the clergy, religious communities and laity to lay the groundwork for a pastoral council that would share in the local church's decision-making process.
Due to APC action, archdiocesan emphasis has been placed on improving family life, youth and young adult ministry, evangelization, social and rural life issues and Hispanic ministry.
In 1983, the APC was held as part of the "Loved and Sent" celebration of faith. The event drew more than 15,000 to the Ak-Sar-Ben Coliseum in Omaha. At the time, it was the largest gathering of archdiocesan Catholics in more than two decades.
In the late 1980s, Archbishop Sheehan led a campaign to raise funds for archdiocesan improvements, including a $4.5 million refurbishment of the St. James Center.
Archbishop Sheehan retired in 1993.
Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan was Called to his Eternal Reward
October 24, 2000
Archbishop Bergan received an auxiliary bishop in 1964, when Msgr. Daniel E. Sheehan was consecrated a prelate at a ceremony at the cathedral.
