Francis Eugene George | |
|---|---|
| Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Chicago | |
 Cardinal George at the May 2011 inauguration of MayorRahm Emanuel | |
| See | Chicago |
| Appointed | April 8, 1997 |
| Installed | May 7, 1997 |
| Term ended | November 18, 2014 |
| Predecessor | Joseph Bernardin |
| Successor | Blase J. Cupich |
| Other post(s) | Cardinal-Priest of S. Bartolomeo all'Isola |
| Previous post(s) |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 21, 1963 by Raymond Peter Hillinger |
| Consecration | September 21, 1990 by Agostino Cacciavillan |
| Created cardinal | February 21, 1998 byJohn Paul II |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Francis Eugene George (1937-01-16)January 16, 1937 |
| Died | April 17, 2015(2015-04-17) (aged 78) Chicago,Illinois, U.S. |
| Buried | All Saints Cemetery,Des Plaines, Illinois |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Parents | Francis J. and Julia R. (nee McCarthy) George |
| Motto | Christo Gloria in Ecclesia (To Christ be Glory in the Church; c.f. Ephesians 3:21) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Ordination history of Francis George | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Styles of Francis George | |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Francis Eugene GeorgeOMI (January 16, 1937 – April 17, 2015) was an American prelate of theCatholic Church. He was the eighth archbishop of theArchdiocese of Chicago in Illinois (1997–2014) and previously served as bishop of theDiocese of Yakima in Washington State and archbishop of theArchdiocese of Portland in Oregon.
A member of theMissionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, George was created acardinal byPope John Paul II in 1998. He served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 2007 to 2010.
On September 20, 2014,Pope Francis accepted George's resignation and appointed BishopBlase J. Cupich to succeed him as Archbishop of Chicago. In this unusual circumstance, George was permitted to remain as the incumbent archbishop until Cupich was installed to succeed him on November 18, 2014. George was diagnosed with cancer in 2006 and died from the disease in 2015.
Francis George was born on January 16, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Francis J. and Julia R. (née McCarthy) George.[1] He had an older sister, Margaret.[2] He received his early education at theparochial school of St. Pascal Parish in Chicago'sNorthwest Side.[3]
George contractedpolio at age 13, leaving him with a permanentlimp.Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, rejected George for admission due to his limp. He instead enrolled at St. Henry Preparatory Seminary inBelleville, Illinois, a high school seminary of theMissionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.[4] He joined the Oblates on August 14, 1957.[1] He continued his studies at the Oblates novitiate inGodfrey, Illinois, before entering Our Lady of the Snows Seminary inPass Christian, Mississippi.[3]
George was then sent to studytheology at theUniversity of Ottawa in Canada.[5] He made hissolemn vows as a member of the Oblates on September 8, 1961.[3]
On December 21, 1963, George wasordained to the priesthood for the Oblates by BishopRaymond Hillinger at St. Pascal Church.[6] After his ordination, he received aBachelor of Theology degree in Ottawa in 1964.[1]
George then entered the Catholic University of American in Washington, D.C., receiving a Master of Theology degree in 1965.[5] George then taught philosophy at Our Lady of the Snows Seminary (1964 to 1969),Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana (1968), andCreighton University in Omaha, Nebraska (1969 to 1973).[1]
During his teaching assignments, George earned aDoctor of Philosophy degree inAmerican philosophy from Tulane University in 1970, and aMaster of Theology degree from theUniversity of Ottawa in 1971.[2] He served asprovincial superior of the Midwestern Province for the Oblates inSaint Paul, Minnesota, from 1973 until 1974, when he became the Oblatesvicar general.[3] Based in Rome, George served as vicar general for 12 years. He obtained aDoctor of Sacred Theology degree from thePontifical Urbaniana University in 1988, with a thesis entitled: "Inculturation and communion".[5]
George returned to the United States, where he served as coordinator of the Circle of Fellows at the Center for the Study of Faith and Culture inCambridge, Massachusetts (1987 to 1990).[2]
On July 10, 1990, George wasappointed the fifth bishop of Yakima byPope John Paul II.[6] He received hisepiscopalconsecration on September 21, 1990, from ArchbishopAgostino Cacciavillan, with BishopsRoger Schwietz andWilliam S. Skylstad serving asco-consecrators, at Holy Family Church inYakima.[6] George took as his episcopalmotto:Christo Gloria in Ecclesia (Latin: "To Christ be Glory in the Church").[7]
George served as bishop of Yakima for five and a half years. As a member of the USCCB, he served as chair of the Commission for Bishops and Scholars (1992 to 1994), and as a consultant to the Committees on Evangelization (1991 to 1993), Hispanic Affairs (1994 to 1997), and Science and Values (1994 to 1997).[1]
George was an episcopal advisor to theCursillo Movement (Region XII) from 1990 to 1997, and episcopal moderator of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities from 1990 to 2008. He was a papal appointee to the 1994World Synod of Bishops on Consecrated Life, and attended the Ninth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops inVatican City in 1994.[5]
On April 30, 1996, George was appointed the ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon by John Paul II.[6] He was installed on the following May 27 atSt. Mary's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, Oregon. During his brief tenure, he led the archdiocese's response to a tape recording by theLane County jail of an inmate'ssacramental confession; theNinth Circuit Court of Appeals later ruled that the tape recording was an unconstitutional and illegal act.[3]
On April 8, 1997, John Paul II appointed George as the eighth archbishop of Chicago, filling the vacancy left by the death of CardinalJoseph Bernardin on November 14, 1996.[8] George was the first native Chicagoan to become archbishop there. On May 7, 1997, Apostolic Pro-NuncioAgostino Cacciavillan installed George as archbishop of Chicago in Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
On January 18, 1998, John Paul II announced George's elevation to theCollege of Cardinals[8] with the title ofcardinal-priest ofBasilica of San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome. His elevation occurred at theconsistory at theVatican on February 21.
George addressed the archdiocese's annualTheology on Tap gathering in 1997. In his invitation to the event, he wrote,
"You are very important members of the Church. Your energy, talent and faith will give me much help as together we build up our local Church to be a vital presence in the Chicago area. Together we can continue the mission of Jesus Christ to bring the Gospel of love, forgiveness and holiness to all the places where we live and encounter others."
As a cardinal elector, George participated in the2005 papal conclave that selectedPope Benedict XVI and thepapal conclave of 2013 that selectedPope Francis.
In 2009, George met with newly elected U.S. PresidentBarack Obama.[9] In 2010, George finished his three-year presidency of the USCCB.
In 2011, George terminated the foster care program ofCatholic Charities in the archdiocese. TheState of Illinois had ruled that it would stop funding any charities that disqualifiedsame-sex couples asfoster care providers or adoptive parents. George refused to comply with this new requirement.[10]
In 2007, George asked Jewish theologians to reconsider descriptions of Jesus in theTalmud as a "bastard". In turn, Catholic theologians should examine a softening of traditionalCatholic prayers calling for the conversion of Jews to Christianity.[11] In 2009, he condemned comments made by BishopRichard Williamson denying the existence of theHolocaust.[12][13]
In February 2010, George spoke atBrigham Young University in Provo, Utah, about the need for Catholics and members of theChurch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to protect religious freedom.
"In recent years, Catholics and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have stood more frequently side by side in the public square to defend human life and dignity,"
George also praised the LDS for its efforts to combat poverty,pornography and single-sex marriage.[14]
George further outlined in 2010 how he believedreligious freedoms in the United States and other Western societies were endangered. In a speech to a group of priests, he said, "I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history."[15] The quote was originally published online without the second sentence.[16] In a 2014 interview, George said:
I didn't think there was any press there when I said it. I was talking to a couple of troubled priests who are worried about the secularization of our culture. I was telling them they should take the long view, step back, and renew their confidence in the providence of God. I was saying that even if the worst possible case scenario happens, we'll be okay. It was a mental game in theKantian sense: ... let's imagine the worst thing that could happen. Instead of wringing your hands, let's imagine the worst possible scenario and then figure out what our role might be.[17]
When a new route was proposed for the 2012 annualChicago Pride Parade that would take it past a Catholic church, George told an interviewer: "you don't want the Gay Liberation Movement to morph into something like theKu Klux Klan, demonstrating in the streets against Catholicism."[18] In response, LGBT advocates in Chicago called for George's resignation, but George said: "When the pastor's request for reconsideration of the plans was ignored, the organizers invited an obvious comparison to other groups who have historically attempted to stifle the religious freedom of the Catholic Church."[19][20] Two weeks later, George apologized: "This has evidently wounded a good number of people. I have family members myself who are gay and lesbian, so it's part of our lives. So I'm sorry for the hurt." He said he was "speaking out of fear that I have for the church's liberty and I was reaching for an analogy which was very inappropriate ...Sometimes fear is a bad motivation."[21] LGBT rights advocates accepted his apology.[22]
In a 2013 apastoral letter to the Archdiocese of Chicago, George stated that the passage of asame-sex marriage legislation in Illinois, which appeared imminent, would be
"acting against the common good of society. This proposed legislation will have long-term consequences because laws teach; they tell us what is socially acceptable and what is not, and most people conform to the dictates of their respective society, at least in the short run".[23]
In September 2014, in his column inThe Catholic New World, George alleged that the US Government and society were now approvingsexual relationships so at odds with Catholic teaching that "the church's teaching on these issues is now evidence of intolerance for what the civil law upholds and even imposes" and that "those who do not conform to the official religion, we are warned, place their citizenship in danger." He also cited the requirements of the 2010 federalAffordable Care Act. He wrote that:
"It already means in some States that those who run businesses must conform their activities to the official religion or be fined, as Christians and Jews are fined for their religion in countries governed by Sharia law."[24]
In September 2014, George met with a gay music director of a Catholic parish who had been fired after announcing his intention to marry his partner. The man said of the meeting: "I was just again grateful for the opportunity to meet with him, for him to know me, for him to hear my story. ...I think the overall tone was again pastoral."[25]
John Paul II appointed George to several offices of theRoman Curia:
George was appointed by John Paul II to the 1994 WorldSynod of Bishops on Consecrated Life and as a delegate and one of two special secretaries at the Synod of Bishops for America in 1997. In 2010, Benedict XVI appointed George to the Pontifical Commission for the Study of the Organizational and Economic Problems of the Holy See.[8]
George served as USCCB vice president (2004–2007) and president (2007–2010). He served as a member, and later as a consultant, to the Committee on Divine Worship; he was also a consultant to the Committee on Doctrine and Pro-Life Activities and the Subcommittee on Lay Ministry. George had also served on the committees on Doctrine, on Latin America, on Missions, on Religious Life, theAmerican Board of Catholic Missions, and on World Missions; on the Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism and the Subcommittee on Campus Ministry.
George was chair of the Committee for Bishops and Scholars from 1992 to 1994, and of the Committee on Liturgy from 2001 to 2004, and a consultant to the Committees on Evangelization (1991–1993), Hispanic Affairs (1994–1997), Science and Values (1994–1997), and African American Catholics (1999–2002). He was the representative to the International Commission on English and the Liturgy from 1997 to 2006.
George was a USCCB delegate to the 2001World Synod of Bishops and was also elected to the Council for the World Synod in 2001, he served as a delegate to the 2008World Synod of Bishops on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.[8]
As archbishop, George was the de facto chancellor of theUniversity of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary inMundelein, Illinois. He served as chancellor from 1997 to 2014 of theCatholic Church Extension Society. George served as episcopal liaison to the Catholic Campus Ministry Association executive board and was episcopal moderator for the Ministry of Transportation Chaplains from 2003. He also served as episcopal advisor to theCursillo Movement, Region XII, from 1990 to 1997. From 1990 to 2008, George was episcopal moderator and board member of the National Catholic Office for Persons with Disabilities. In July 2011, George served as acatechist at the August 2011 World Youth Day celebration inMadrid, Spain.
George served on the board of trustees of the Catholic University of America and the Papal Foundation. In 1994, George became a board member of theNational Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served on the board of directors of theBasilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Kohl McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Awards advisory board. He served on the board of directors of Oblate Media inBelleville, Illinois.
George served as conventual chaplainad honorem of the Federal Association of theSovereign Military Order of Malta and grand prior of the North Central Lieutenancy of the United States for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, George belonged to theAmerican Catholic Philosophical Association, the American Society of Missiologists, and the Catholic Commission on Intellectual and Cultural Affairs.
George received an honorary doctorate fromLewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, in 2014.[26] That same year, George received the Medal of Merit, the highest honor of theCity of Chicago.[27]
On January 16, 2012, George submitted his letter of resignation as archbishop of Chicago to Benedict XVI, having reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. He named Monsignor Peter F. Śnieg, rector of St. Joseph's Seminary atLoyola University Chicago, asmoderator of the curia for the archdiocese. At that time, George anticipated remaining in office for two to three years.[28]
In a 2014 interview on his retirement, George said:[17]
I've always said that the only thing I'd like people to remember about me is that he tried to be a good bishop. I think I have been a good bishop, in many ways, and I take some pride in at least having tried my best. That's enough. On theliturgical stuff, I knew it had to be done and that I was in a particularly key spot to see to that what's most important in handing on the traditions of the Church, namely our way of prayer and our liturgy, was going to be more faithfully presented to the people. That meant a lot to me, because the worship of God is the most important thing we do.
In the same 2014 interview, when asked if he saw himself as conservative, George replied:[17]
The liberal/conservative thing, I think, is destructive of the Church's mission and her life. I've said that publicly a lot at times. You're taking a definition that comes out of nowhere, as far as we're concerned, it's a modern distinction, and making it the judgment of the Church's life. It's because we're lazy. You put a label on people, you put a label on something, and it saves you the trouble of thinking.
George was diagnosed with an aggressive but localized form ofbladder cancer in 2006. In August 2012, the archdiocese announced that his bladder cancer had metastasized to his kidney and liver, and that he would undergochemotherapy.[29] The cancer returned in March 2014 and George started another round of chemotherapy.[30] He was hospitalized for several days atLoyola University Medical Center in Chicago after showing flu-like symptoms and signs ofdehydration.[31] In April 2014, on medical advice, George canceled a trip to the Vatican. George and the apostolic nuncio to the United States, ArchbishopCarlo Maria Vigano, agreed that the Vatican should start looking for his successor.[32]
In August 2014, George entered aclinical trial of a newcancer treatment drug at theUniversity of Chicago.[33] George left the trial at the end of 2014 due to the lack of positive results.[34] On January 30, 2015, George told reporters that he was now receivingpalliative care.[35] On March 3, George entered Loyola University Medical Center for tests and was then discharged.[36][37] On March 28, he was readmitted to the hospital forpain management and hydration.[38][39] On April 3, he was released.[40] On September 20, 2014,Pope Francis accepted George's resignation as archbishop of Chicago and named BishopBlase J. Cupich as his successor.[41][42]
Francis George died of cancer on April 17, 2015, in the archbishop's residence in Chicago at age 78.[43][44]
Amass of Christian burial for George was celebrated on April 23, 2015, atHoly Name Cathedral. The burial service took place atAll Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, Illinois, where he was buried in the George family plot per his wishes.[45] ArchbishopJ. Peter Sartain gave the homily at George's request. ArchbishopRoger Schweitz led the rites at the end of the mass. Nine cardinals, Archbishop Vigano, and over fifty bishops concelebrated the mass.[46]
On April 25, 2015, a memorial mass for George was celebrated in Rome at his titular church, San Bartolomeo all'Isola. Reverend Andrew Liaugminas, ordained by George in 2010, served as thehomilist. CardinalBernard Law presided over the service, joined by CardinalsJames Harvey, George Pell, andJ. Francis Stafford.[47]
A "Month's Mind Mass" was celebrated on Sunday, May 17, 2015, atHoly Name Cathedral. Rector Dan Mayall was the principal celebrant and homilist.[48]
One of George's wishes had been to visitPope Francis before he died, which proved impossible. While George was always careful to express his overall agreement with and obedience to Francis, he said himself that he was confused by what signals Francis was sending. Upon hearing of his death, Francis sent a telegram of condolence to Cupich:[49]
Saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Francis E. George, Archbishop Emeritus of Chicago, I offer heartfelt condolences to you, and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese. With gratitude for Cardinal George's witness of consecrated life as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, his service to the Church's educational apostolate and his years of episcopal ministry in the Churches of Yakima, Portland and Chicago, I join you in commending the soul of this wise and gentle pastor to the merciful love of God, our heavenly Father. To all who mourn the late Cardinal in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I cordially impart myApostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord.
The Vatican Secretary of State, CardinalPietro Parolin, also sent Cupich a telegram of condolence.[50]
The USCCB president, ArchbishopJoseph Kurtz, paid tribute to George, a former USCCB president.[51] ArchbishopsGustavo Garcia-Siller,Jerome Listecki, BishopGerald Kicanas, CardinalTimothy Dolan and ArchbishopWilton Gregory all sent their condolences
Chicago MayorRahm Emanuel stated:
"Cardinal Francis George led a remarkable life of faith and service. As Chicago's first native-born Archbishop, his journey took him full-circle from growing up in Portage Park to serving in far-flung missions around the globe, and eventually back home to shepherd the City of Chicago towards a better future. He lent his counsel to those in distress, his comfort to those in despair and he inspired us all with his courage in his final days. He could always be counted on to provide those granite qualities to the countless people who relied on them when it mattered the most."[52]
Illinois GovernorBruce Rauner also commented on George:
"He shepherded the church through some of its most trying times, but leaves behind a strong community of faith that has tremendous positive impact on the people of Illinois, regardless of their creed."[53]
George published a bi-monthly column in the archdiocesan newspaper,The Catholic New World, called "The Cardinal's Column".
| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Yakima 1990–1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Archbishop of Portland 1996–1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Archbishop of Chicago 1997–2014 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Cardinal-Priest of San Bartolomeo all'Isola 1998–2015 | |
| Preceded by | President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2007–2010 | Succeeded by |
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