Herrmann was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 6, 1913, the son of Episcopalian parents, Walter E. and Jennie Doyle Herrmann, who owned a small grocery store.[1] Walter Herrmann died in the 1918 flu pandemic. Edward Herrmann was baptized a Catholic in 1919.[2]
Pope Paul VI appointed Herrmann as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington and titular bishop of Lamzella on March 4, 1966. He was consecrated by Archbishop Patrick O'Boyle on April 26, 1966 at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington.[1] He became vicar general and chancellor of the archdiocese.
Bishop of Columbus
Herrmann was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Columbus on June 26, 1973 by Pope Paul VI; Hermann was installed as its ninth bishop on August 21, 1973. [1][2]
Herrmann helped establish Operation Feed in Columbus, a countywide food drive that now provides millions of meals every year to people in the Columbus area. He also reorganized the diocese into the 15 vicariates and instituted the Emmaus Spirituality Program for priests.[2]
Retirement and legacy
Pope John Paul II accepted Herrmann's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Columbus on September 18, 1982. He served as diocesan administrator until April 25, 1983, when Bishop James A. Griffin succeeded him. In retirement, Herrmann resided at St. Ann's Infant and Maternity Home in Avondale, Maryland. However, he returned to Columbus in November 1991 to assist the bishop in the diocese.[2]
Edward Herrmann died on December 22, 1999, in Columbus and was buried in the crypt of St. Joseph Cathedral there.[1][2]