Archbishop Alfred Louis Lankenau

1930 - 2010

Archbishop Alfred Louis Lankenau, 79, retired Primate of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America, died on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He had suffered a lengthy struggle with cancer.

Archbishop Lankenau was the son of the late Cecelia and Alfred Lankenau.  He is survived by his sister, Ann, of Middletown, NJ; and three cousins, Deborah,
John and Cindy.

The Archbishop was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1930.  He was educated in the New York City Public Schools, St. Mary's Seminary and held a PhD from New York University. He served in the US Army in the 1950s. 

Ordained in 1956, he celebrated his Golden Jubilee as a priest in June, 2006.  He was the founding pastor of Holy Eucharist Church in Indianapolis.  In 1980 he was named the first bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis and Chicago.  In 1983 he was elected to the position of Presiding Bishop with the title of Archbishop of Washington and Indianapolis as well as Metropolitan of the Church. 

He was the first Canonical Orthodox Bishop to authorize the ordination of women, in 1994.  Lankenau was an outspoken supporter of the GLBT Community and favored legalizing same sex unions with full benefits. In 2000 he retired as Presiding Bishop and awarded the title of Patriarch of Honor. 

During his lifetime, he encouraged the growth of the Church and at his death there were congregations in 20 States with priests also serving in Mexico and Australia. Always hospitable, he was recognized as a friend of priests and served many as their spiritual director and confessor.

In secular life, he had been employed by the American Legion National Headquarters as Director of their National Emblem Sales Catalog Division.  He was considered an authority in Direct Marketing and had taught the subject for several semesters at Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Archbishop Lankenauwill be laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. Arrangements by Flanner and Buchanan.

Memorials may be made to the Orthodox Catholic Church of America, at PO Box 5481, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46895, or to donor’s choice.