Humberto Sousa Medeiros facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Humberto Sousa Medeiros GCIH |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop of Boston | |
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| See | Boston |
| Appointed | September 8, 1970 |
| Enthroned | October 7, 1970 |
| Reign ended | September 17, 1983 |
| Predecessor | Richard Cushing |
| Successor | Bernard Law |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santa Susanna |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 15, 1946 |
| Consecration | June 9, 1966 by James Louis Connolly |
| Created Cardinal | March 5, 1973 |
| Rank | Cardinal-priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 6, 1915 Arrifes, São Miguel Island, Azores, First Portuguese Republic |
| Died | September 17, 1983 (aged 67) Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
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| Motto | Adveniat Regnum Tuum (Thy Kingdom Come) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Humberto Sousa Medeiros |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Boston |
Humberto Sousa Medeiros (October 6, 1915 – September 17, 1983) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church. He was born in Portugal and later became an American citizen. He served as the Archbishop of Boston from 1970 until he passed away in 1983. In 1973, he was made a Cardinal, which is a very high rank in the Church. Cardinal Medeiros was known for supporting immigrant workers, the poor, and minority groups.
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Early Life and Education
Humberto Sousa Medeiros was born on October 6, 1915, in a place called Arrifes on São Miguel Island in the Azores, which is part of Portugal. His parents were Antonio Medeiros and Maria de Jesus Sousa Massa Flor. He was baptized on November 1, 1915.
His father worked as a farmer and ran a small shop. In 1931, when Humberto was 16, his family moved to the United States. They settled in Fall River, Massachusetts. The family attended St. Michael's Church, which was a local Portuguese church.
Humberto had to leave school at age 16 to help his family. He worked sweeping floors in a textile mill (a factory that makes cloth) and earned 62 cents a day. In his free time, he studied English. He was able to go back to school in 1935 when his younger brothers were old enough to work. He graduated at the top of his class from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1937.
After high school, he went to the Catholic University of America. He became a naturalized American citizen. He earned a Master of Philosophy degree in 1942 and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1946. These were advanced degrees in philosophy and religious studies.
Becoming a Priest
Humberto Medeiros became a priest on June 15, 1946. Bishop James Edwin Cassidy performed the ordination ceremony. After this, he returned to the Diocese of Fall River and worked at St. John of God Church.
In 1949, he went back to Catholic University to continue his studies. He earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1952. When he returned to Fall River, he worked at Holy Name Church. He also became an assistant chancellor for the diocese, which means he helped manage the church's official records and business. Later, he became the full chancellor. In 1958, he was given the honorary title of Monsignor. In 1960, he became the pastor (main priest) of St. Michael's Church. It was around this time that he became very good at speaking English.
Serving as a Bishop
Bishop of Brownsville
On April 14, 1966, Pope Paul VI chose Medeiros to be the Bishop of Brownsville, Texas. He became a bishop on June 9, 1966, in a special ceremony at St. Mary's Cathedral.
When he became bishop in Southern Texas, many Mexican-American migrant workers in the area were planning a strike. These workers wanted a higher minimum wage. Bishop Medeiros strongly supported the workers and their demands. He also spoke out against an economic system that he felt focused too much on making money and not enough on helping people.
During his time as bishop, he showed his dedication to the poor. He sold the bishop's fancy car (a limousine) and turned most of his home into a dormitory for visiting priests. He often traveled with migrant workers to celebrate Mass with them in the fields during harvest time. He also spent holidays like Christmas and Easter visiting prisoners in Texas jails.
Archbishop of Boston
On September 8, 1970, Medeiros was chosen to be the Archbishop of Boston. He officially took on this role on October 7, 1970. His appointment was a surprise to many Irish Catholics in Boston. The Irish had traditionally held most of the leadership positions in the local church. After Medeiros arrived, some Catholic buildings were damaged by vandals.
Just like in Brownsville, he became a strong supporter of the poor in Boston. He wrote a letter called "Man's Cities God's Poor" in 1972, showing his deep care for those in need. He also spoke against the Vietnam War. In a Christmas speech in 1972, he criticized the bombing of Hanoi.
Pope Paul VI made him a Cardinal on March 5, 1973. This is a very high honor in the Catholic Church. Cardinal Medeiros also asked the Vatican to lift the excommunication (a serious church punishment) of Leonard Feeney. In May 1976, he spoke out against racism in South Boston.
Cardinal Medeiros was one of the cardinals who helped choose the new Pope in 1978. He participated in two special meetings called conclaves. These meetings selected Pope John Paul I and then Pope John Paul II.
Cardinal Medeiros passed away on September 17, 1983, at age 67. He died during heart surgery in Boston. He was buried with his parents in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Fall River, as he had wished. Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis described him as a "gentle, compassionate man."
Legacy and Honors
After his death, several things were named or created in his honor:
- The Cardinal Medeiros Trust fund was started in 1981. It helps provide money for education to families of the Knights of Columbus (a Catholic organization).
- Boston College named a freshman dormitory "Medeiros" after him.
- Cardinal Medeiros Avenue in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is named in his honor.
- The main auditorium at the Catholic University of Portugal in Lisbon is named after him.
- A statue honoring him was unveiled in his hometown of Arrifes on June 10, 2000.
He also received special honors from Portugal:
Grand-Cross of the Order of Christ, Portugal (March 3, 1972)
Grand-Cross of the Order of Prince Henry, Portugal (May 21, 1972)
