Stephen Blaire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Stephen Edward Blaire |
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| Bishop of Stockton | |
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| Diocese | Stockton |
| Appointed | January 18, 1999 |
| Enthroned | March 16, 1999 |
| Reign ended | January 23, 2018 |
| Predecessor | Donald Montrose |
| Successor | Myron Joseph Cotta |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | April 29, 1967 |
| Consecration | May 31, 1990 by Roger Mahony, John Ward, and George Patrick Ziemann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 22, 1941 Los Angeles, California, US |
| Died | June 18, 2019 (aged 77) Modesto, California, US |
| Previous post | Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles 1990 to 1999 |
| Motto | ALIVE FOR GOD IN CHRIST JESUS |
| Styles of Stephen Edward Blaire |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Stephen Edward Blaire (December 22, 1941 – June 18, 2019) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the fifth Bishop of Stockton. He held this important role from March 16, 1999, until January 23, 2018.
Contents
Stephen Blaire's Life and Work
Early Life and Education
Stephen Edward Blaire was born in Los Angeles, California. He was the twelfth of fourteen children in his family. He went to Catholic schools in the San Fernando Valley.
In 1959, he graduated from Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary, which is a high school. After that, Blaire continued his studies at St. John's Seminary College in Camarillo.
Becoming a Priest
On April 29, 1967, Stephen Blaire became a priest. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles by Cardinal James McIntyre. His first job as a priest was at St. Luke's Parish in Temple City, California. He worked there as an associate pastor until 1972.
From 1972 to 1986, Blaire worked in secondary education. He started as a teacher and administrator at Bishop Alemany High School. This school is located in Mission Hills, California. Later, he became the vice principal at Bishop Amat High School. From 1977 to 1986, he was the principal at Bishop Alemany. After his work in schools, he became a curial moderator and chancellor for the archdiocese.
Serving as Auxiliary Bishop
On February 17, 1990, Pope John Paul II chose Blaire to be an auxiliary bishop. This means he helped the main bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. He also became a titular bishop of Lamzella.
He received his episcopal consecration on May 31, 1990. Archbishop Roger Mahony led this special ceremony. Bishops John Ward and George Ziemann also helped. In 1990, Blaire was made vicar general of Los Angeles. In 1995, he was assigned to the Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region.
Leading as Bishop of Stockton
On January 18, 1999, Blaire was named the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Stockton. He officially began his role on March 16, 1999. This ceremony took place in the Cathedral of the Annunciation.
As a bishop, he was part of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He led the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. He also used to lead the Pastoral Practices Committee. He was a member of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. Within the California Catholic Conference, he led the Legislation and Public Policy Committee. He was also a member of the Religious Liberty Committee.
In June 2012, Bishop Blaire announced a plan. As chair of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, he proposed a message. It was called Catholic Reflections on Work, Poverty and a Broken Economy. This message aimed to discuss important social issues.
In May 2013, the University of San Francisco gave Bishop Blaire an honorary degree. He also gave a speech at the graduation ceremony. This was for graduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Retirement and Passing
On January 23, 2018, Pope Francis accepted Bishop Blaire's resignation. This meant he retired from his role as bishop of the Diocese of Stockton. Stephen Blaire passed away on June 18, 2019, in Modesto, California.
Bishop Blaire's Views
Focus on Social Justice
Bishop Blaire cared deeply about social justice. In a 2013 letter to the US House of Representatives, he talked about budget cuts. He said that any cuts to human services should be judged by three main ideas:
- Does it protect or threaten human life and dignity?
- How does it affect "the least of these" (from Matthew 25)?
- The needs of people who are hungry, homeless, jobless, or poor should come first.
See also
In Spanish: Stephen Blaire 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
Episcopal Succession
| Catholic Church titles | ||
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| Preceded by Donald Montrose |
Bishop of Stockton 1999-2018 |
Succeeded by Myron Joseph Cotta |
