James Henry Ambrose Griffiths | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop of New York Titular Bishop ofGaza | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Archdiocese of New York |
| Other posts | Titular Bishop ofGaza |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 12, 1927 by Giuseppe Palica |
| Consecration | January 18, 1950 by Francis Spellman, Thomas Molloy andWilliam Arnold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1903-07-16)July 16, 1903 |
| Died | February 24, 1964(1964-02-24) (aged 60) |
| Education | Almo Collegio Capranica Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Styles of James Henry Ambrose Griffiths | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | none |
James Henry Ambrose Griffiths (July 16, 1903 – February 24, 1964) was an Americanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. He served as anauxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of New York from 1950 to 1964.
James Griffiths was born on July 16, 1903, inBrooklyn, New York, to James Henry and Helen Agatha (née O'Neil) Griffiths. He received his early education at St. Augustine's Academy in Brooklyn from 1915 to 1919. He then attendedSt. John's University in Brooklyn, where he earned aBachelor of Arts in 1923. Griffiths then traveled to Rome to study for thepriesthood at theAlmo Collegio Capranica and thePontifical Gregorian University.[1] He received adoctorate in theology from the Gregorian in 1927.[2]
Griffiths wasordained a priest in Rome on March 12, 1927, for theDiocese of Brooklyn by ArchbishopGiuseppe Palica.[3] Following his return to Brooklyn, the diocese assigned Griffiths ascurate at St. Joseph's Parish inBabylon, New York.[1] He then served at Our Lady of Mercy Parish inQueens (1928 to 1929) and at St. Augustine's Church in Brooklyn (1929 to 1931).[2] In addition to his pastoral duties, Griffiths worked as an instructor ofNew Testament scripture at the Dominican Normal School inAmityville, New York, from 1927 to 1929.[2]
Griffiths was named secretary of the diocesan tribunal in 1929, and then he was named itsauditor in 1931.[1] From 1935 to 1943, he served as vice-chancellor of the diocese.[2] He also served as diocesan censor of books.[1] The Vatican elevated Griffiths to the rank ofpapal chamberlain in 1938, anddomestic prelate in 1944.[2] One of the co-founders of theCanon Law Society of America in 1939, Griffiths served as its president from 1941 to 1942.[1]
Following the American entry intoWorld War II in 1941, BishopThomas Molloy placed Griffiths in charge of supervising the militarychaplains from the diocese.[1] He also directed the work of theVatican Information Service in the diocese, transmitting messages monthly to and from persons in enemy-occupied countries.[1] In November 1943, the Vatican named Griffiths as chancellor of theMilitary Ordinariate, serving Catholics in theU.S. armed forces throughout the world.[2]
On October 15, 1949, Griffiths was appointed as anauxiliary bishop of New York and titular bishop ofGaza byPope Pius XII.[3] He received hisepiscopalconsecration on January 18, 1950, from CardinalFrancis Spellman, with Bishops Thomas Molloy andWilliam Arnold serving asco-consecrators, atSt. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.[3] As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as chancellor of the Military Ordinariate until 1955.[2] In March 1952, Spellman appointed Griffiths to the board of archdiocesanconsultors.[1] In 1953, theEisenhower Administration named Griffiths to the Committee on Moral and Spiritual Resources of theInternational Information Administration, a US government agency that handled overseas information and theVoice of America.[1]
In September 1955, Griffiths was appointed pastor ofSt. Monica's Parish in Manhattan[4] He represented the Vatican at theUnited Nations (UN) and was itspermanent observer at theEconomic and Social Council, a UN agency.[1] He was also a member of the New York City Commission on the United Nations and assistant bishop for United Nations Affairs on the administrative board of theNational Catholic Welfare Council.[1] During theSecond Vatican Council in Rome from 1962 to 1965, he served on the United States Bishops' Commission on the Liturgical Apostolate, which studied the introduction of English to parts of themass and othersacraments.[1]
Griffiths died from aheart attack on February 24, 1964, at therectory of St. Monica's Church in Manhattan at age 60.[1]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by – | Auxiliary Bishop of New York 1949–1955 | Succeeded by – |
