Edward Egan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Edward Michael Egan |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop of New York | |
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| See | New York |
| Appointed | May 11, 2000 |
| Enthroned | June 19, 2000 |
| Reign ended | February 23, 2009 |
| Predecessor | John Joseph O'Connor |
| Successor | Timothy M. Dolan |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 15, 1957 |
| Consecration | May 22, 1985 by Bernardin Gantin |
| Created Cardinal | February 21, 2001 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Edward Michael Egan |
| Born | April 2, 1932 Oak Park, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 2015 (aged 82) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Buried | St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, New York, US |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Parents | Thomas J. and Genevieve Costello Egan |
| Previous post | Bishop of Bridgeport (1988–2000) |Auxiliary Bishop of New York (1985–1988) |
| Motto | In the Holiness of Truth |
| Styles of Edward Egan |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | New York (emeritus) |
Edward Michael Egan (April 2, 1932 – March 5, 2015) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. He served as a cardinal, which is a very high rank. From 1988 to 2000, he was the bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Then, from 2000 to 2009, he became the archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York in New York City. He was made a cardinal in 2001.
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Early Life and Education
Edward Egan was born in Oak Park, Illinois, on April 2, 1932. He was the third of four children. His father, Thomas J., was a sales manager, and his mother, Genevieve, was a homemaker and former teacher. His family came from Ireland.
When he was 11, Edward and his older brother got polio. This meant they missed two years of school while they got better at home.
Edward went to Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago for high school. He was very active there, leading the student government and editing the school newspaper and yearbook. After high school in 1951, he studied at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Illinois. He earned a degree in philosophy. Later, he went to Rome to study theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Becoming a Priest
Edward Egan became a priest on December 15, 1957. He was ordained by Archbishop Martin John O'Connor for the Archdiocese of Chicago.
In 1958, he earned another degree in theology from the Gregorian University. Back in Chicago, he worked at Holy Name Cathedral Parish. He also helped the archdiocese as an assistant chancellor. He was also a priest-secretary to Cardinal Albert Gregory Meyer. During this time, he taught classes for people wanting to become Catholic. He also worked as a chaplain at a hospital.
In 1960, Egan returned to Rome to study for his doctorate. He also taught at the North American College. In 1964, he earned his doctorate in canon law with high honors. He then became priest-secretary to Cardinal John Cody in Chicago. He saw Cardinal Cody support important causes like the civil rights movement.
Egan also worked to build bridges between different faiths. He talked with Jews and Protestants. In 1971, Pope Paul VI appointed him to work at the Sacred Roman Rota in Rome. This is one of the highest courts in the Catholic Church.
While in Rome, Egan also taught canon law at the Gregorian University. He helped review the new Code of Canon Law with Pope John Paul II in 1982.
His Time as a Bishop
On April 1, 1985, Pope John Paul II chose Edward Egan to be an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New York. He became a bishop on May 22, 1985, in Rome. His motto as a bishop was "In the Holiness of the Truth." As an auxiliary bishop, he was in charge of education.
Bishop of Bridgeport
On November 5, 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed Egan as the third bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport. He started his new role on December 14, 1988.
As bishop, he worked to improve Catholic schools. He raised $45 million to support them. The diocesan Catholic Charities became the largest private social service group in Fairfield County, Connecticut. He brought Spanish-speaking priests from Colombia to help the 12 Hispanic parishes. He also created a home for retired priests and a school for children with special needs.
Archbishop of New York
On May 11, 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed Egan as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York. He officially began on June 19, 2000.
As archbishop, he focused on encouraging young men to become priests. He held special Masses for them. He also changed how the archdiocesan seminary in Yonkers, New York was run.
On February 21, 2001, Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal. This is a very high honor in the Church.
Cardinal Egan played an important role in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center. In 2002, he received an award from Spain for his humanitarian work. Also in 2002, Pope John Paul II named him to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, which is the Church's highest court for Canon Law.
In 2003, he opened a new home for retired priests.
Cardinal Egan took part in the 2005 papal conclave that chose Pope Benedict XVI. In 2006, he started hosting a weekly radio show where he talked about Church topics.
In 2007, he announced some changes to parishes in the archdiocese. Some smaller parishes were combined or closed. This was done to adjust to where Catholics were living in the city. He also opened new parishes in other areas.
On December 15, 2007, Cardinal Egan celebrated 50 years as a priest. In April 2008, he hosted Pope Benedict XVI's visit to New York. This visit marked 200 years of the New York diocese. In 2009, he spoke out against harmful statements made by a Catholic bishop about the Holocaust.
Retirement and Later Years
On April 2, 2007, Cardinal Egan turned 75, which is the age when bishops usually offer their resignation to the Pope. He was the first archbishop of New York to retire; previous archbishops had served until their death. His retirement became official on February 23, 2009, when Pope Benedict XVI appointed Timothy M. Dolan as the new archbishop.
After retiring, Cardinal Egan continued to be active. He was on the board of trustees for the Catholic University of America. He also helped start the Ave Maria School of Law in Florida.
On April 2, 2012, he turned 80. After this age, cardinals can no longer vote in a papal election.
In April 2009, he had a minor surgery to get a pacemaker. He recovered well and was able to lead important Church services for Easter.
Death and Legacy
Cardinal Egan passed away on March 5, 2015, in Manhattan. He died from cardiac arrest. Cardinal Dolan announced his death, and many bishops shared their sadness.
From March 9 to March 10, Cardinal Egan's body lay in state at St. Patrick's Cathedral. An honor guard from the New York City Police Department, Fire Department, and various Catholic groups stood by him.
On March 10, a special funeral Mass was held for Cardinal Egan at St. Patrick's. Cardinal Dolan led the Mass. Many bishops and cardinals from around the United States attended. The Pope's representative, Carlo Maria Viganò, read a letter from Pope Francis. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and former mayors, along with Governor Andrew Cuomo, also attended.
After the Mass, Cardinal Egan was buried in the crypt (a special burial place) beneath the main altar of the cathedral.
