October 22, 2007   •   VOL. 45, NO. 18   •   Oakland, CA

Father Edgar Haasl, retired St. Louis
Bertrand pastor, dies in Wisconsin

By Carrie McClish
Staff writer

Father Edgar Haasl, a longtime pastor at Oakland’s St. Louis Bertrand Parish, died Oct. 4 in Arpen, Wisconsin, at the age of 83. The priest was known for his strong commitment to civil rights and social justice, especially for the African American and Hispanic communities.

Father Edgar Haasl

“Many of our political leaders today owe a great debt of gratitude to Father Haasl for keeping them focused on the quality of life issues for the betterment of our community,” said Father James Matthews, pastor of neighboring St. Benedict Parish.

Born in Milladore, Wisconsin, Father Haasl served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and spent several years working as a carpenter. He answered the call to priesthood in 1951 and entered St. Benedict’s Abbey in Benet Lake, Wisconsin, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1958 as a member of the Order of St. Benedict. Following his ordination, he taught Latin in the archdioceses of Boston and Chicago, served as a missionary in Mexico, as a pastor in Nicaragua, and as a principal at a boys vocational school in Costa Rico.

After returning to the U.S., he moved to the Oakland Diocese in 1967 and became associate pastor at St. Louis Bertrand Parish. He formally joined the Oakland Diocese in 1970. Three years later, he was appointed pastor at St. Louis Bertrand, a post he held for 26 years.

Throughout his tenure Father Haasl was “truly committed” to his ministry in East Oakland and embraced the African American and Hispanic communities in many ways — liturgically, educationally, culturally and ecumenically, said Father Matthews.

He described the priest as “prophetic,” citing his role as a co-founder of the United East Oakland Clergy, an interdenominational group of clergy and lay people begun in the early 1970s to address community issues, including jobs for the unemployed and working with law enforcement to reduce violence in the streets.

Father Haasl was fearless and compassionate, continued Father Matthews, whose first assignment as a priest was with Father Haasl at St. Louis Bertrand.

In 1978 Father Haasl was tinkering on his old Chevy in the garage when he was assaulted by a man wielding a tire iron, robbed and left unconscious. When Father Haasl regained consciousness, he called police.

Reports of the attack spread quickly and within hours “local politicians and community activists came to surround and support,” recalled Father Matthews. Once word hit the streets the response was quick — the culprit was caught and arrested within 24 hours. “Father Ed confronted the character and with a stern warning and an offer to help with recovery, Ed would not press charges,” Father Matthews said.

After retiring from St. Louis Bertrand in 1999, he returned to Wisconsin and resumed pastoral work. He continued to work in Latino communities and established Spanish Masses at two area parishes. He also set up an informational Bible class.

In a note of condolence posted on the Internet, parishioners of St. Bernard Parish in Abbotsford, Wisconsin, wrote: “Father Haasl was an inspiration to all of us as he ministered to the Hispanic population of Abbotsford and the surrounding area. He drove many miles and spent many hours in his ministry to them. He came up for Mass every Sunday and other times in between to administer the sacraments. His absence was deeply felt when he became ill. We are very grateful to have known him and had the opportunity to have him serve in our midst.”

Survivors include his sister, Agatha Haasl, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral Mass was held Oct. 12 at St. Kilian Church in Blenker, Wisconsin. Burial followed at St. Kilian Cemetery. Oakland Bishop Emeritus John Cummins presided at a memorial service for Father Haasl on Oct. 17 at St. Louis Bertrand Church.

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