Daniel Sheehan was born in Emerson, Nebraska. He studied theology at Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis Missouri where he graduated with honors in 1942. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1942. Following his first priestly assignment at St. Cecilia's Cathedral in Omaha, he studied canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He received a degree in canon law from the Catholic University of America in the District of Columbia, and then returned to Omaha where he served the diocese of Omaha as chancellor and tribunal judge. On January 4, 1964, Sheehan was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Omaha and Titular Bishop of Capsus by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on the following March 19 from Archbishop Gerald Bergan, with Bishops John Paschang and James Casey serving as co-consecrators, at St. Cecilia Cathedral. Sheehan was later named the third Archbishop of Omaha on June 11, 1969. He was installed on the following August 11, and was the first native son of the Archdiocese to hold the office of Archbishop. During his tenure, Sheehan has earned a national reputation for his support of Catholic education. His campaign for educational excellence raised more than $26 million to improve Catholic education in the Omaha Metropolitan Area. In recognition of his dedication to Catholic schools, the National Catholic Educational Association presented him with the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award in 1992. In response to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, Sheehan led efforts to establish the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council in the early 1970s. He gathered representatives from the ranks of the clergy, religious communities and laity to lay the groundwork for a pastoral council that would share in the local church's decision-making process. Due to APC action, emphasis has been placed on improving family life, youth and young adult ministry, evangelization, social and rural life issues and Hispanic ministry. He led large capital campaigns to raise millions of dollars for archdiocesan improvements, including a $4.5 million refurbishment of the St. James Center. His final campaign had a goal of $25 million to pay for the building of Skutt Catholic High School and other capital needs in the Archdiocese of Omaha and its parishes After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Sheehan resigned as Archbishop of Omaha on May 4, 1993, ending a 23-year-long tenure. He later died at age 83 of cancer, and is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha.
Controversy
Archbishop Sheehan failed to remove Rev. Thomas Sellentin after numerous allegations of sexual abuse.
