Gerald Emmett Carter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Gerald Emmett Carter CC |
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|---|---|
| Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto | |
| See | Toronto |
| Enthroned | April 29, 1978 |
| Reign ended | March 17, 1990 |
| Predecessor | Philip Francis Pocock |
| Successor | Aloysius Ambrozic |
| Other posts | Bishop of London |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 22, 1937 |
| Consecration | February 2, 1962 by Paul-Émile Léger |
| Created Cardinal | June 30, 1979 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 1, 1912 Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | April 6, 2003 (aged 91) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Buried | Holy Cross Cemetery |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Coat of arms |  |
Gerald Emmett Cardinal Carter (March 1, 1912 – April 6, 2003) was an important Canadian leader in the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the Archbishop of Toronto from 1978 to 1990. In 1979, he was given the high title of Cardinal. This made him a very senior advisor to the Pope.
| Styles of Gerald Emmett Carter |
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|---|---|
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Toronto (emeritus) |
Contents
Cardinal Carter's Life Story
Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Emmett Carter was born on March 1, 1912, in Montreal, Quebec. He was the youngest of eight children in an Irish Catholic family. His father worked as a typesetter for a newspaper. His brother, Alexander, also became a bishop, and two of his sisters became nuns.
Carter went to school at the Collège de Montréal. He then studied at the Grand Seminary and the Université de Montréal. A seminary is a special school where people train to become priests. He earned a degree in theology in 1936. On May 22, 1937, he became a priest. He was ordained by Bishop Alphonse-Emmanuel Deschamps.
Helping People in Parishes
After becoming a priest, Carter worked in parishes in the Archdiocese of Montreal until 1939. A parish is a local church community. He then became the first director of the English section of a teacher training school.
From 1942 to 1956, he was a chaplain for Catholic students at McGill University. A chaplain is a priest who works in a non-church setting, like a university. He helped start the Newman Centre at McGill University. During this time, he also led the English section of Catholic Action. This was a group that encouraged Catholics to be active in their faith. He also became president of the Thomas More Institute. In 1947, he earned his doctorate in theology.
Leading the Church in Toronto
Carter served as the Bishop of London, Ontario, from 1964 to 1978. In 1978, he was chosen to be the Archbishop of Toronto. An archbishop is a bishop who leads a large area of churches called an archdiocese. He retired from this role in 1990. Aloysius Ambrozic took over after him.
In 1982, he was given a special honor. He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest awards a Canadian citizen can receive. Many places are named after him, including:
- The library at King's University College in London.
- Cardinal Carter Catholic High School in Aurora, Ontario.
- Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts in Toronto, Ontario.
- Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary School in Leamington, Ontario.
Cardinal Carter was also very important in Montreal's education system. He helped create St. Joseph's Teachers College for English-speaking Catholics. He was a member of the Montreal Catholic School Commission for 15 years. He was also active at McGill University's Newman Club and the St. Thomas More Institute.
Making a Difference
In Toronto, Cardinal Carter worked to expand many programs. These included church programs, Catholic education, and social services. He also helped put into practice the changes from Vatican II. This was a very important meeting of Catholic leaders that updated the church.
He was involved in opening Covenant House. This place helps young people who are living on the streets. He also worked with the government of Ontario to provide affordable homes for older people and those with disabilities.
Cardinal Carter passed away in Toronto on April 6, 2003. He is buried at the Bishops' Mausoleum in Holy Cross Cemetery, north of Toronto.
