January 05

Felix Manz (1498–1527) was a Swiss religious reformer and one of the founders of the Anabaptist movement in Zürich. Rejecting infant baptism, he championed adult believer’s baptism and congregational autonomy alongside figures like Conrad Grebel. His outspoken views brought him into conflict with both Catholic and Protestant authorities. In 1527, he became the first Anabaptist martyr when he was executed by drowning on the orders of the Zürich council. Manz’s death galvanized the Anabaptist community, influencing later Mennonite and Baptist traditions. His writings on religious freedom and church practice remain influential in radical Reformation studies.

John Neumann was born in Bohemia in 1811 and emigrated to the United States to serve the growing Catholic immigrant population. Ordained a priest in 1836, he worked tirelessly as a missionary across Pennsylvania and New York. In 1852 he was appointed bishop of Philadelphia, where he established over 80 Catholic schools and trained the first American-born clergy. He was admired for his humility, dedication to education, and care for the poor. After his death in 1860, his reputation for holiness grew, leading to his canonization by Pope Paul VI in 1977. Today, he is celebrated for shaping Catholic education in America.

Bernard Joseph McLaughlin was an American Roman Catholic bishop who served the Diocese of Buffalo. Born in 1912, he was ordained a priest in 1936 and became auxiliary bishop in 1968. He guided educational and charitable initiatives in Western New York for over three decades. McLaughlin played a key role in expanding diocesan programs and supporting parish communities. He was respected for his pastoral care, humility, and commitment to social justice. His legacy lives on in the institutions and ministries he helped establish across the region.