Most Rev. Francis Joseph Klein –
Third Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, 1952-1967
Francis Joseph Klein was born Aug. 6, 1911 on the family farm at Sedley, Saskatchewan, the eldest of thirteen children of the Edward Klein family. His early education was in Friedenthal and Sedley, then he attended St. Anthon’s College, Edmonton and Campion College, Regina. His seminary training was begun at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Edmonton and he became one of the first students of Regina Cleri Seminary, Regina when it opened in 1932.
Francis was ordained to the priesthood on 2 Sept, 1934 in his home parish at Sedley by Archbishop James C. McGuigan of Regina. After a year of further study in Quebec, Fr. Klein returned to Saskatchewan, where he served in various rural parishes in the Archdiocese of Regina.
On February 28, 1952, Klein was appointed Bishop of Saskatoon, ordained by Cardinal James C. McGuigan of Toronto on April 30 at Holy Rosary Cathedral, Regina and officially installed as bishop of Saskatoon at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, 1952. He was the first Saskatchewan-born priest to become a bishop.
Bishop Klein served as bishop of Saskatoon for almost 15 years.
On Feb 25, 1967, he was appointed Bishop of Calgary and installed on April 25. He died suddenly within a year, on Feb 3, 1968, while undergoing a gall bladder operation. Following funeral ceremonies in Calgary, he was buried beside his parents in Sedley, Saskatchewan.
[Some information from: D.F. Robertson, The Sword of St. Paul: A History of the Diocese of Saskatoon 1933-1983, 1982]