John O'Connor (cardinal) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence John O'Connor |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop of New York | |
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| See | Archdiocese of New York |
| Appointed | January 26, 1984 |
| Enthroned | March 19, 1984 |
| Reign ended | May 3, 2000 |
| Predecessor | Terence Cooke |
| Successor | Edward Egan |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 15, 1945 |
| Consecration | May 27, 1979 by John Paul II |
| Created Cardinal | May 25, 1985 |
| Rank | Cardinal Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 15, 1920 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | May 3, 2000 (aged 80) New York City, New York, US |
| Buried | St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, New York, US |
| Denomination | Roman Catholicism |
| Parents | Thomas J. O'Connor & Dorothy Magdalene Gomple |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater |
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| Motto | There Can Be No Love Without Justice |
John Joseph O'Connor (January 15, 1920 – May 3, 2000) was an important American leader in the Catholic Church. He served as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York from 1984 until his death in 2000. In 1985, he was made a cardinal, which is a very high rank in the Catholic Church.
Before becoming archbishop, O'Connor was a U.S. Navy chaplain from 1952 to 1979. He even spent four years as the chief of chaplains for the Navy. He also served as an auxiliary bishop for military services and as the bishop of the Diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania.
Contents
Who Was Cardinal O'Connor?
His Early Life
John O'Connor was born in Philadelphia on January 15, 1920. He was the fourth of five children. His father, Thomas J. O'Connor, was a painter. His mother, Dorothy Magdalene O'Connor, was the daughter of a kosher butcher and a Jewish rabbi. It was later found out that his mother was baptized Catholic when she was 19 years old.
John went to public schools in Philadelphia. In high school, he decided he wanted to become a priest. He then enrolled at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania to study for the priesthood.
Becoming a Priest
After finishing his studies at St. Charles, John O'Connor became a priest on December 15, 1945. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His first job as a priest was teaching at St. James High School in Chester, Pennsylvania.
During these seven years, O'Connor continued his education. He earned a Master of Arts degree in advanced ethics from Villanova University. He also got another Master of Arts degree in clinical psychology from the Catholic University of America.
In 1952, during the Korean War, O'Connor joined the United States Navy Chaplain Corps. He rose through the ranks and became a rear admiral. In 1975, he was named the chief of chaplains of the Navy. He helped create a special role for enlisted people to support chaplains. The Vatican recognized his service by naming him an honorary prelate in 1966.
O'Connor also earned a doctorate in political science from Georgetown University. His professor, Jeane Kirkpatrick, who later became a United Nations ambassador, said he was one of the smartest students she ever taught.
Serving as a Bishop
On April 24, 1979, Pope John Paul II chose O'Connor to be an auxiliary bishop. This meant he would help lead the military services for the United States. He officially became a bishop on May 27, 1979, in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Pope John Paul II himself led the ceremony.
Bishop in Scranton
A few years later, on May 6, 1983, Pope John Paul II appointed O'Connor as the bishop of Scranton. He began his new role on June 29, 1983.
Leading in New York
| Styles of John O'Connor |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | New York |
After the death of Cardinal Terence Cooke, O'Connor was chosen to be the archbishop of New York. This happened on January 26, 1984. He officially took on this important role on March 19, 1984.
On May 25, 1985, Pope John Paul II made O'Connor a cardinal. This is one of the highest positions in the Catholic Church. He was given the title for the church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome.
Later Years and Passing
When O'Connor turned 75 in 1995, he offered his resignation to Pope John Paul II, as is customary for bishops. However, the Pope asked him to continue serving. In 1999, O'Connor was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He continued to serve as Archbishop of New York until his death.
Cardinal O'Connor passed away on May 3, 2000, in Manhattan. He was buried in the crypt (an underground burial place) beneath the main altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Many important people attended his funeral, including:
- The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan
- US President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton
- Former President George H. W. Bush
- New York Governor George Pataki
- New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
What He Left Behind
Cardinal O'Connor's work left a lasting impact.
- The John Cardinal O'Connor Pavilion in the Bronx, a home for retired priests, opened in 2003.
- The John Cardinal O'Connor School in Irvington, New York, which helps students with learning differences, opened in 2009.
- The Cardinal O'Connor Conference on Life is held every year at Georgetown University.
The New York Times newspaper described O'Connor as a "towering presence." They said he was a leader whose strong views were part of important discussions of his time. He was seen as someone who tried to bring people together, but he was also not afraid to stand up for what he believed in.
Special Awards
Cardinal O'Connor received several honors for his service:
- Jackie Robinson Empire State Medal of Freedom – December 21, 2000
- Congressional Gold Medal – March 7, 2000
