Charles A. Buswell
October 15, 1913 ~ June 14, 2008
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
The Most Reverend Charles A. Buswell, Retired Bishop of Pueblo, Colorado, 94, passed away June 14, 2008. Survived by his nephews, Charles, Charley, and Patrick; niece, Melanie; and many grandnieces and grandnephews. Preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Maloney, Joseph Buswell, Lillian Bishoff and Dorothy Ley. Charles was born Oct. 15, 1913, in Homestead, Oklahoma, to Charles and Bridget Buswell. He received his primary and secondary education at the cathedral's St. Joseph School, studied for two years at St. Benedict's College in Atchison, Kans., and in 1933, entered St. Louis Preparatory Seminary in Webster Groves, Missouri. After studying theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, in 1936, he entered the American College in Leuven, Belgium. He also served as Prefect and assistant editor of the American College Bulletin during his studies. Charles was eventually ordained to the priesthood on July 9, 1939. After returning to the United States, Charles became the first pastor of Christ the King Parish in Oklahoma City, in 1947. He was raised to the rank of a Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness in 1949, and later a Domestic Prelate of His Holiness in 1955. In 1959, Charles was appointed the second Bishop of Pueblo by Pope John XXIII. On Sept. 30, 1960, he received his episcopal consecration. Charles attended the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, and described the Council's mission as making the Church 'a dynamic organism to penetrate the world with a spirit of truth and light' and not 'a static remnant of past glory.' In 1980, after over 20 years of service, he resigned as Pueblo's bishop.
Viewing from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday in the Montgomery & Steward Chapel, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo. Viewing also from 1:30 p.m. until Vigil service time Wednesday at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Vigil service, 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2008, and Mass of Christian Burial, 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2008, with The Most Reverend Arthur N. Tafoya as celebrant. Both services at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 11th and Grand, in Pueblo. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who desire may make memorials to Posada or Centro de los Pobres (Migrant Ministry) through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, Colo. 81003. Online condolences, MontgomerySteward.com
Charles Sullivan Buswell
Name: Sister Vianney Hatton
E-mail: vianneyhatton@bigpond.com
Telephone: +61 2 9542 3109
Please record the following for the funeral of Bishop Charles Buswell.Thanks.
The Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in Australia, through Sister Vianney Hatton, honour Bishop Charles Buswell as a wonderful human being and a truly exemplary follower of Christ. With gratitude for his faithful friendship we pray with all who are gathered in Pueblo to celebrate his life and death.
Sister Vianney Hatton. Sydney. Australia
fondest memory. Sacred heart School as kids;the sisters had us present to Bishop the play”oaklahoma”to celebrate his many years of priesthood. his face lit up and that smile ear-to ear.he was loved!
Bishop Buswell was a true example of the meaning of Christianity. He loved to pray, care for the poor, reach out to minorities, protest social injustice, defend womens rights, be a part of the Colorado State Fair Feast Day celebration and ride in the State Fair parades. The one thing that Bishop Buswell loved most, was the people of PUEBLO Colorado, where he made his home. His hands and his heart touched almost every in my home town. I will miss his hugs, hands shakes, and his big warm smile.
Via Con Dios, Amigo!
Bishop Buswell was such a good and caring man. His compassion, generosity, and kindness will always be remembered; especially by those of us with Avondale Sacred Heart Parish. We will miss him. GOD Bless.
Even as a child I recognized that Father Charles was, and I truly believe will always be, the most gentle spirit I have ever known. With his kind heart, soothing voice, and calming presence, he was truly a gift from God. I will always be proud to not only be able to claim to be part of his spiritual family, but his genetic family as well.
Not many people share my childhood memories of Father Charles and his nephews (including my late father, William Bishoff, Jr.) sitting around my family room watching OU football and getting rowdy (as boys do). Oh, how he LOVED his Sooners!
I will always have a special love in my heart for Father Charles, and thank the Lord that He shared him with us as long as he did, for he was truly one of God’s greatest blessings.
Love you Father, and if you would – save us a spot!
With much love,
Denise, Rubie and Amber Wilson
Although we never had the pleasure or honor to meet him in person, through our dear friend Martin Bishoff and his family who we have known since 1996 ‘�� our family got to know Charles Buswewll (Father Charles ) through stories and fond memories of him . He always smiled and cared obout others . Social causes were also very important to him . In 2003 he participated in an anti-war march ‘�� in his wheelchair . He had a gentle leadership style and loved others . It was special for all that did meet him .
Father Charles will be dearly missed and his legacy of calm mannerisms and helping those in need will always remain with future generations.
Father…You were always there for us. Now you are always in my heart…… Love and prayers – Candy
I remember the excitement when Bishop Buswell was concecrated our Bishop. I very much remember, with much joy, my Confirmation when I was in the 4th grade at St Francis Xavier School. That was in 1960. He was truely a man of the people and a true spritual leader.
I was sad to hear about Bishop Buswell’s passing. He was bishop of Pueblo when I was confirmed at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. I remember I was so honored to take the water and wine to him at the Confirmation mass. This was in 1966, I was in the 6th grade. I will always remember his bright smile and gentle ways, Heaven has a winner!
Bishop Buswell was instrumental along with Monsignor Delaney of Walsenburg St. Mary Parish and my parents, Gabriel and Scholastica Sandoval, in my attendance at St. Francis de Sales Seminary High School in Oklahoma City and St. Thomas Seminary in Denver. Although after a year in each seminary I left and eventually married, Bishop Buswell remains in my heart and mind as it is clear that when he left Christ the King in OKC his presence remained in the heart and mind of parishioners there. God Bless him and Keep him.
It is rare when we are blessed and encounter an individual whose mere presence brings love, joy, and serenity to our surroundings. This is what Charles Buswell did naturally and to know him was truely a sign that GOD had blessed you by sending him into your life. He could always ease ones nerves or soothe ones soul with his calming voice and mannerisms. All any of us can do is try to emulate the way Charles undauntedly loved everyone and offered help to those in need. Charles Buswell was truely a gift from GOD who has been called back to heaven. He will miss dearly and always kept in our hearts.
I was in high school when Bishop Buswell was consecrated for our diocese. I came to Sacred Heart Monastery in Yankton, SD in 1961, so did not have the opportunity to develop a personal relationship with him; however, he was a favorite with our sisters who served in the diocese (Pueblo, Canon City). God bless his wonderful spirit!
I fondly remember Bishop Buswell’s care and love for the people of the Diocese of Pueblo. I remember his smile being as grand as he was – I believe it stretched from Oklahoma to Pueblo! God truly blessed us with the gift of Bishop Buswell. I am profoundly honored to be one of the Music Ministers who will be “singing him into heaven,” at the celebration of the Rite of Christian Burial.
What a remarkable man – what an even more remarkable priest. When I came to Pueblo in 1993 as the newly ordained deacon-in-charge of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church , he called to invite me to lunch. Later that afternoon, he and I stood with a group of people protesting the government’s refusal to permit medical supplies to be shipped to Cuba. He knew about me because he knew my wife as a member of the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament in Pueblo in the 60s. He later invited the two of us to his 80th birthday party. Della loved him dearly, and so did I. In a world which admires the powerful and the self-assertive, he was a humble and gracious man. In a church whose hierarchy so often acted without integrity, he was a priest and bishop of integrity. Requiescat in pace. I pray we will meet again at another dinner table around the throne of the Lamb.