| Styles of John Joseph Graham | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | none |
John Joseph Graham (September 11, 1913—August 4, 2000) was an Americanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. He served as anauxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of Philadelphia from 1964 to 1988.
John Graham was born inPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania, one of seven children of James and Margaret Graham.[1] His parents wereIrish immigrants fromCounty Antrim.[2] He received his early education at theparochial school ofSt. Michael's Church in his native city.[2] He then attendedSt. Joseph's Preparatory School, also in Philadelphia.[1]
Graham began his studies for thepriesthood atSt. Charles Borromeo Seminary inOverbrook.[1] He continued his studies at thePontifical Lateran University inRome, where he earned adoctorate in theology.[2]
On February 26, 1938, Graham wasordained a priest by ArchbishopLuigi Traglia at thePontifical Roman Seminary in Rome.[3] Following his return to Pennsylvania, he served as acurate atSt. Luke the Evangelist Church inGlenside from 1939 to 1940.[1] He then taught atRoman Catholic High School for Boys in Philadelphia for five years before serving as a curate atSt. George Church inGlenolden (1945–46).[1]
From 1946 to 1959, Graham was assistantsuperintendent of schools in theArchdiocese of Philadelphia.[2] He served as superintendent ofspecial education in the archdiocese from 1959 to 1967.[2] During his eight-year tenure, he developed many educational facilities to care for children withspecial needs.[1] He was named adomestic prelate byPope John XXIII in September 1959.[1] In addition to his role as superintendent, he served as administrator, and laterpastor, ofHoly Angels Church in Philadelphia from 1960 to 1964.[2]
On November 25, 1963, Graham was appointedauxiliary bishop of Philadelphia andtitular bishop ofSabrata byPope Paul VI.[3] He received hisepiscopalconsecration on January 7, 1964 from ArchbishopJohn Krol, with BishopsGeorge L. Leech andGerald Vincent McDevitt serving asco-consecrators, at theCathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.[3] As an auxiliary bishop, he served as pastor ofSt. Helena's Church in theOlney section of Philadelphia from 1964 to 1990.[1]
Graham attended the last two sessions of theSecond Vatican Council between 1964 and 1965.[3] He also served as archdiocesan director of theCatholic Charities Appeal (1964–76), chairman of the Cardinal's Commission on Human Relations (1964–82), a member of the Archdiocesan College ofConsultors (1964–99), and a member of the Archdiocesan Council of Priests (1984–99).[2] He was an active supporter ofecumenism andinterfaith dialogue.[1]
After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Graham resigned as auxiliary bishop on November 8, 1988.[3] He died at Mercy Catholic Medical Center inDarby on August 4, 2000 at age 86.[1]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by – | Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia 1964–1988 | Succeeded by – |
