George Dwyer | |
|---|---|
| Archbishopemeritus of Birmingham | |
| Church | Latin Church |
| Archdiocese | Birmingham |
| See | Birmingham |
| Appointed | 5 October 1965 |
| Installed | 5 October 1965 |
| Term ended | 1 September 1981 |
| Predecessor | Francis Grimshaw |
| Successor | Maurice Couve de Murville |
| Other post | Bishop of Leeds (1957–1965) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1 November 1932 |
| Consecration | 24 September 1957 by John Carmel Heenan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1908-09-25)25 September 1908 |
| Died | 17 September 1987(1987-09-17) (aged 78) |
| Buried | St Mary's College, Oscott |
| Nationality | British |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Alma mater | English College, Rome Christ's College, Cambridge Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto | Spe Gaudentes (Rejoicing in Hope) |
| Styles of George Patrick Dwyer | |
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.svg) | |
| Reference style | TheMost Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Grace |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Ordination history of George Dwyer | |||||||||||||||
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George Patrick Dwyer (25 September 1908 – 17 September 1987) was an Englishprelate and theArchbishop Emeritus of theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, England. Dwyer served as the sixthArchbishop of Birmingham from 1965 to 1981, succeedingFrancis Grimshaw. Before that, Dwyer had served as the sixthRoman Catholic Bishop of Leeds, between 1957 and 1965, being succeeded byWilliam Wheeler.[1][2]
The son of John William Dwyer, a wholesale egg and potato merchant, and his wife Jemima, he was also a cousin by marriage ofAnthony Burgess,[3] he was educated atSt Bede's College, Manchester (1919–1926), then at theVenerable English College, Rome after being accepted by theSalford Diocese as a candidate for the priesthood. Dwyer proved an outstanding student, and was awardeddoctorates inphilosophy andtheology from thePontifical Gregorian University. He wasordained priest for theRoman Catholic Diocese of Leeds on 1 November 1932, and returned to England to study languages atChrist's College, Cambridge.[4]
Following postgraduate studies inRome andCambridge from 1932 to 1937, he returned to St Bede's as a member of the teaching staff before joining theCatholic Missionary Society as vice-superior in 1947. He also edited theCatholic Gazette for four years until his appointment asSuperior of the Catholic Missionary Society in 1951.
He was ordained bishop on 24 September 1957 byJohn Carmel Heenan (then theArchbishop of Liverpool) following his appointment asBishop of Leeds where he succeeded Heenan who had previously served a term of eight years in Leeds. During his time in this diocese, Dwyer served as a Council Father for the first three sessions of theSecond Vatican Council.
In October 1965, Dwyer was translated to theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham to serve as the sixthArchbishop ofBirmingham, named byPope Paul VI. In his new role he also took part in the fourth session of theSecond Vatican Council.
After the death ofJohn Carmel Heenan (who was Dwyer's close friend) in 1975, Dwyer was seen by some as a natural successor asArchbishop of Westminster. However, Dwyer informed theApostolic Delegate he felt that at sixty-seven his age was too great for him to be considered for the post. He was, however, elected president of theBishops' Conference during the first three years ofBasil Hume's episcopate, becoming the first bishop to hold that position who was not alsoArchbishop of Westminster.[4]
His coat of arms is blazoned, 'Argent on a saltire Gules a jousting spear Or' thus incorporating the names of St Patrick and St George. His motto wasSpe Gaudentes ("Rejoicing in Hope").
Dwyer retired asArchbishop of Birmingham, his resignation was accepted byPope John Paul II on 1 September 1981, taking up the titleArchbishop Emeritus of Birmingham.
Dwyer died on 17 September 1987 at the age of 78. He was subsequently buried atSt Mary's College, Oscott on 24 September 1987.
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Leeds 1957–1965 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Archbishop of Birmingham 1965–1981 | Succeeded by |
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