Allen James Babcock | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Grand Rapids Titular Bishop of Irenopolis in Cilicia | |
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| See | Diocese of Grand Rapids |
| Appointed | February 15, 1947 |
| In office | March 25, 1947 to June 27, 1969 |
| Predecessor | Francis J. Haas |
| Successor | Joseph M. Breitenbeck |
| Previous posts | Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit 1947 to 1954 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 7, 1925 by Basilio Pompili |
| Consecration | March 25, 1948 by Edward Mooney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1898-06-17)June 17, 1898 |
| Died | June 27, 1969(1969-06-27) (aged 71) |
| Motto | Secundum verbum tuum (According to Your word) |
Allen James Babcock (June 17, 1898 – June 27, 1969) was an Americanprelate of theCatholic Church who served as the seventhbishop of Grand Rapids in Michigan from 1954 to 1969.
Babcock was born on June 17, 1898, inBad Axe,Michigan to Willard Babcock and Susan Ryan. He attended theUniversity of Detroit Jesuit High School in Detroit, then in 1917 enteredAssumption College in Windsor, Ontario, studying there until 1919.[1]
In 1920, Babcock traveled to Rome to reside at thePontifical North American College. He received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1922 and aLicentiate of Sacred Theology in 1924 from thePropaganda Fide University in Rome.[1]
Babcock wasordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Detroit by CardinalBasilio Pompilj in Rome on March 7, 1925.[2][1]After returning to Detroit, Babcock was assigned asassistant pastor at Holy Name Parish in that city. He was transferred in 1928 to serve as assistant pastor at St. Thomas Parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan. At the same time, he was appointed chaplain at the St. Mary's Student Parish next to theUniversity of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor.[1]
Babcock returned to Rome in 1936 to serve as vice rector for the North American College. Pope Piux XII honored him in 1938 with the title ofpapal chamberlain, allowing him to be called monsignor. (also March 9, 1939). With the closing of the North American College in 1940 due toWorld War II, Babcock came back to the United States; he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's parish in Ann Arbor. In 1942, Babcock was appointed rector of Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.[1]
On February 15, 1947, Babcock was appointed as anauxiliary bishop of Detroit andtitular bishop of Irenopolis in Cilicia byPope Pius XII.[3] He received hisepiscopalconsecration at theCathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit on March 25, 1947, from CardinalEdward Mooney, with BishopsWilliam Murphy andStephen Woznicki serving asco-consecrators.[2] Later that year, Babcock was appointed as vicar for the religious orders in the archdiocese and was named adomestic prelate by the pope.[1] In 1948, he became a consultor for the archdiocese.
On March 23, 1954, Pius XII appointed Babcock as bishop of Grand Rapids. He was installed on May 20, 1954.[1] Babcock attended theSecond Vatican Council in Rome (1962–1965).
Allen Babcock died ofcancer on June 27, 1969, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids at age 71.[2][4]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Bishop of Grand Rapids 1954–1969 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by – | Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit 1947–1954 | Succeeded by – |
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