Roger Mahony facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Roger Michael Mahony KGCHS |
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| Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles |
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Cardinal Mahony in March 2006
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| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of Los Angeles |
| Appointed | July 12, 1985 |
| Enthroned | September 5, 1985 |
| Predecessor | Timothy Manning |
| Successor | José Horacio Gómez |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Quattro Coronati |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 1, 1962 |
| Consecration | March 19, 1975 by Hugh Aloysius Donohoe, William Robert Johnson, and John Stephen Cummins |
| Created Cardinal | June 28, 1991 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 27, 1936 Los Angeles, California, US |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Parents | Victor and Loretta Mahony |
| Previous post |
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| Education | Catholic University of America |
| Motto | To reconcile God's people |
Roger Michael Mahony (born February 27, 1936) is an American cardinal and retired leader of the Catholic Church. He served as the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California from 1985 to 2011. Before this, he was an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Fresno and a bishop in the Diocese of Stockton.
Born in Los Angeles, Mahony became a priest in 1962. He was named an auxiliary bishop in 1975 and then bishop of Stockton in 1980. In 1985, Pope John Paul II chose him to be the Archbishop of Los Angeles. He was the first person born in Los Angeles to hold this important role. The Pope made him a cardinal in 1991. As a cardinal, he helped choose new Popes in 2005 and 2013.
During his time as Archbishop, Mahony helped build the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. This large church opened in 2002. He retired in 2011 and was followed by Archbishop José Horacio Gómez.
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Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Roger Mahony was born on February 27, 1936, in Hollywood, Los Angeles. His parents were Victor and Loretta Mahony. He has a twin brother, Louis, and an older brother, Neil.
Roger went to St. Charles Borromeo Grammar School and Los Angeles College. He then studied at Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary and St. John's Seminary. On May 1, 1962, he became a priest for the Diocese of Fresno.
In 1964, Mahony earned a Master of Social Work degree from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. For the next 13 years, he worked in different church roles in the Diocese of Monterey-Fresno and later in the Diocese of Fresno. He also taught social work at Fresno State University. In 1967, he was given the title of monsignor.
Serving as a Bishop
On January 7, 1975, Pope Paul VI appointed Mahony as an auxiliary bishop of Fresno. He officially became a bishop on March 19, 1975.
In 1975, the Governor of California, Jerry Brown, asked Mahony to lead the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board. In this role, he worked to solve disagreements between farmworkers and farmers.
On February 15, 1980, Mahony became the Bishop of Stockton. This appointment was announced by Pope John Paul II.
Archbishop of Los Angeles
On July 16, 1985, Pope John Paul II chose Mahony to be the Archbishop of Los Angeles. He was the first person from Los Angeles to hold this important position. On June 28, 1991, the Pope made him a cardinal-priest.
After an earthquake in 1994 damaged the old cathedral, Mahony started planning for a new one. This new church, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, cost $190 million. Some people were concerned about the cost and its modern design. Mahony explained that donations and special funds, not money from local churches, were paying for it. He said the archdiocese needed a main church to bring its people together. The new cathedral opened on September 2, 2002.
In 1998, Mahony shared that he had prostate cancer. He had surgery on June 15, 1998, which doctors said was successful. In 2005, he was one of the cardinals who voted to elect Pope Benedict XVI.
Retirement and Later Years
On April 6, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI named Archbishop José H. Gómez to help Mahony in Los Angeles. Mahony officially retired as archbishop on March 1, 2011, and Archbishop Gómez took over.
After retiring, Mahony said he wanted to spend more time helping immigrants. He moved to St. Charles Borromeo Church in North Hollywood.
On January 31, 2013, Archbishop Gómez announced that Mahony would no longer have public or administrative duties. Mahony could still celebrate Mass, but he could not speak publicly or perform some bishop duties. Despite this, Mahony took part in the conclave in March 2013 that elected Pope Francis.
Views on Important Topics
Films and Media
In 1992, Mahony wrote a letter called Film Makers, Film Viewers. It talked about television news and the entertainment industry.
Immigration
Mahony spoke out against parts of a bill called the Border Protection, Anti-terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. He told President George W. Bush that this bill would make it hard for the Catholic Church to help undocumented immigrants. In May 2006, Mahony said he would tell his clergy and church members to ignore the law if it passed.
Mahony also talked to US senators from California, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. He wanted the US Senate to consider a full plan for immigration reform. He believed that the US Congress was responsible for immigration problems because they had not acted on the issue for 20 years.
Mass
In September 1997, Mahony wrote a letter about the Mass called "Gather Faithfully Together: A Guide for Sunday Mass." He asked all churches to plan and celebrate Sunday Mass in a way that would help Catholics grow in their faith.
See Also
In Spanish: Roger Michael Mahony para niños
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
Images for kids
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Cardinal Mahony's coat of arms
