Albert Lewis Fletcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Albert Lewis Fletcher |
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| Bishop of Little Rock titular bishop of Samos |
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Little Rock |
| Enthroned | 1920 |
| Reign ended | 1972 |
| Predecessor | John Baptist Morris |
| Successor | Andrew Joseph McDonald |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 4, 1920 |
| Consecration | April 25, 1940 by Amleto Giovanni Cicognani |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 28, 1896 Little Rock, Arkansas, US |
| Died | December 6, 1979 (aged 83) Little Rock |
| Buried | Saint Andrew's Catholic Cathedral |
| Parents | Thomas Fletcher Helen (née Wehr) |
| Education | Little Rock College St. John Home Missions Seminary University of Chicago |
| Motto | "God is With Us" |
| Styles of Albert Fletcher |
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| Reference style | The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Monsignor |
| Posthumous style | none |
Albert Lewis Fletcher (born October 28, 1896 – died December 6, 1979) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the Bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock in Arkansas for many years. He was the bishop from 1946 to 1972. Before that, he was an auxiliary bishop (a helper bishop) in the same diocese from 1939 to 1946.
Contents
The Life of Bishop Fletcher
His Early Years
Albert Fletcher was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1896. His parents, Thomas and Helen Fletcher, had both chosen to become Catholic. His father used to be an Episcopalian, and his mother was a Lutheran.
When Albert was a baby, his family moved around Arkansas. They lived in Paris, Arkansas, then Tontitown, and later Mena. In 1912, Albert started studying at Little Rock College. He earned a degree in chemistry in 1916.
Becoming a Priest
After finishing his studies to become a priest at St. John Home Missions Seminary, Albert Fletcher was ordained (made) a priest. This happened on June 4, 1920, for the Diocese of Little Rock. Bishop John Baptist Morris led the ceremony.
He then became a professor of chemistry and biology at Little Rock College. By 1923, he became the president of the college. In 1922, he also earned a Master of Science degree from the University of Chicago.
Fletcher taught important subjects like dogmatic theology (the study of Catholic beliefs) and canon law (Church rules) at St. John Seminary from 1925 to 1929. He also held important roles in the diocese. He was the chancellor (a chief administrator) from 1926 to 1933. Then he became the vicar general (a main assistant to the bishop) from 1933 to 1946. Because of his good work, he was given special titles by the Pope. He was named a papal chamberlain in 1929 and a domestic prelate in 1934.
Bishop of Little Rock
On December 11, 1939, Pope Pius XII chose Albert Fletcher to be an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Little Rock. He was also given the honorary title of titular bishop of Samos. He officially became a bishop on April 25, 1940. This ceremony was led by Archbishop Amleto Giovanni Cicognani.
Bishop Fletcher was the very first Catholic bishop to be born in Arkansas. His consecration (the ceremony to make him a bishop) was also the first one ever held in the state.
On December 7, 1946, Pope Pius XII appointed Fletcher as the main Bishop of Little Rock. He was a strong supporter of ending segregation. Segregation was when people were kept separate based on their race.
Bishop Fletcher supported the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 1954, which said that segregation in schools was wrong. He also spoke out against Governor Orval Faubus. The governor tried to stop Black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, from attending Little Rock Central High School in 1957.
In 1960, Bishop Fletcher wrote a publication that explained why segregation was wrong. He called segregation "immoral," "unjust," and "uncharitable." He even said it could be a serious sin if it deeply broke the rules of justice or kindness.
From 1962 to 1965, Bishop Fletcher attended the Second Vatican Council in Rome. This was a very important meeting for the Catholic Church. He started using the local language (called the vernacular) during Mass in his diocese as early as 1964. This was something the Council suggested.
Retirement and Later Years
On July 4, 1972, Pope Paul VI accepted Bishop Fletcher's request to retire as bishop of the Diocese of Little Rock.
Albert Fletcher passed away in Little Rock on December 6, 1979. He was 83 years old. He is buried in the crypt (an underground burial place) of Saint Andrew's Catholic Cathedral.
