Adam Maida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Adam Joseph Maida |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Detroit |
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Cardinal Maida in 2004
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| Church | Catholic |
| Archdiocese | Detroit |
| Appointed | April 28, 1990 |
| Enthroned | June 12, 1990 |
| Predecessor | Edmund Szoka |
| Successor | Allen Henry Vigneron |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santi Vitale, Valeria, Gervasio e Protasio |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 26, 1956 |
| Consecration | January 25, 1984 by Pio Laghi, Aloysius John Wycisło, and Vincent Leonard |
| Created Cardinal | November 26, 1994 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 18, 1930 East Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Education |
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| Motto | Facere omnia nova (Latin for 'To make all things new') |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Adam Joseph Maida |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Detroit (Emeritus) |
Adam Joseph Maida (born March 18, 1930) is an American Catholic leader. He served as the Archbishop of Detroit from 1990 to 2009. In 1994, he became a cardinal. Before this, he was the Bishop of Green Bay from 1984 to 1990.
Contents
About Adam Maida
His Early Life and Schooling
Adam Maida was born in East Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, in 1930. His parents were Adam and Sophie Maida. He was the oldest of three brothers. His father came from Poland. His mother's parents were also from Poland.
Adam and his brothers went to public schools in East Vandergrift. This was because there were no local Catholic schools. He attended Vandergrift High School and Scott Township High School.
When he was in his second year of high school, Adam decided to become a priest. He went to St. Mary's Preparatory School in Michigan. He graduated from there in 1948. He then attended St. Mary's College.
In 1950, Maida moved to Saint Vincent College in Pennsylvania. He earned a degree in philosophy in 1952. He later studied at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Maryland. He received a special theology degree in 1956.
Becoming a Priest and His Work
On May 26, 1956, Adam Maida became a priest. He was ordained for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. His first job was as an assistant pastor at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish. He also worked at Holy Innocents Parish.
In 1958, Maida went to Rome to study. He earned a degree in Canon Law in 1960. Canon Law is the set of rules and laws for the Catholic Church. He also earned a law degree from Duquesne University School of Law in 1964. He was allowed to practice law in Pennsylvania and for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Maida worked for the diocese as a vice-chancellor and lawyer from 1965 to 1983. In 1968, he was chosen to lead the Canon Law Society of America. He helped create rules for how regular church members could solve legal problems within the church. He also helped update the Code of Canon Law.
He taught theology at La Roche College. He also taught law at Duquesne University Law School.
Serving as Bishop of Green Bay
On November 8, 1983, Pope John Paul II chose Maida to be the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay. He officially became a bishop on January 25, 1984. This ceremony is called an consecration.
As Bishop of Green Bay, Maida made some important changes. He appointed the first woman to be a chancellor in the diocese. He also appointed the first woman to lead a parish. He started new programs for planning and training church leaders. He also helped raise $9 million for education.
Becoming Archbishop of Detroit
On April 28, 1990, Pope John Paul II appointed Maida as the fourth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He officially started his new role on June 12, 1990.
On November 26, 1994, Pope John Paul II made Maida a cardinal. This is a very high rank in the Catholic Church. In 2000, Maida also became the first leader of the Catholic Mission in the Cayman Islands.
In April 2005, after Pope John Paul II passed away, Cardinal Maida traveled to the Vatican. He was one of the cardinals who could vote for the next Pope. He took part in the conclave that chose Pope Benedict XVI.
When Cardinal Maida turned 75 on March 18, 2005, he sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI. This letter offered his resignation, as bishops usually retire at 75. However, the Vatican asked him to continue serving as archbishop for a while longer. On June 8, 2006, he celebrated 50 years since he became a priest.
His Retirement
On January 5, 2009, the Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI had accepted Cardinal Maida's resignation. Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron was chosen as his successor. Bishop Vigneron was installed on January 28, 2009. Cardinal Maida helped Archbishop Vigneron during the changeover.
Cardinal Maida celebrated his last public mass as archbishop on January 25, 2009. This mass also marked 25 years since he became a bishop.
See also
In Spanish: Adam Maida para niños
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
