Wilton Gregory facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Wilton Gregory |
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| Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Washington |
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Gregory in 2024
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Washington |
| See | Washington |
| Appointed | April 4, 2019 |
| Enthroned | May 21, 2019 |
| Predecessor | Donald William Wuerl |
| Successor | Robert W. McElroy |
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| Ordination | May 9, 1973 |
| Consecration | December 13, 1983 by Joseph Bernardin |
| Created Cardinal | November 28, 2020 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
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| Birth name | Wilton Daniel Gregory |
| Born | December 7, 1947 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Denomination | Catholic (Latin Church) |
| Residence | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Parents | Ethel Duncan Wilton Gregory, Sr. |
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| Alma mater |
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| Motto | We are the Lord's |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Wilton Daniel Gregory |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Wilton Daniel Gregory (born December 7, 1947) is an American leader in the American Catholic Church. He served as the archbishop of Washington from 2019 to 2025. In 2020, Pope Francis made him a cardinal. This was a historic moment, as he became the first African-American cardinal.
Before coming to Washington, Gregory was an auxiliary bishop in Chicago, the bishop of Belleville, Illinois, and the archbishop of Atlanta.
From 2001 to 2004, Gregory was the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). During this time, he helped create the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." This was an important set of rules to help keep young people safe within the church.
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Early Life and Schooling
Wilton Gregory was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 7, 1947. He was one of three children, with two sisters named Elaine and Claudia. His parents were Ethel and Wilton Gregory Sr. After his parents divorced, his grandmother, Etta Mae Duncan, came to live with them on the South Side of Chicago.
In 1958, Gregory started at St. Carthage Grammar School. Even though he was not yet a Catholic, he decided he wanted to become a priest. The next year, at age 11, he was baptized into the Catholic Church.
After finishing grammar school in 1961, Gregory attended high schools that prepared students to become priests. He then went to Niles College in Chicago and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois.
Becoming a Priest
On May 9, 1973, at the age of 25, Wilton Gregory was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago. His first job was as a pastor at a church in Glenview, Illinois.
In 1976, he went to Rome to continue his studies. He earned a special advanced degree, a Doctor of Sacred Liturgy (SLD), in 1980. When he returned to Illinois, he taught at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary. He also worked as a master of ceremonies for two important church leaders, Cardinal John Cody and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.
Work as a Bishop and Archbishop
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
On October 31, 1983, Pope John Paul II made Gregory an auxiliary bishop of Chicago. At just 35 years old, he was the youngest bishop in the United States at the time. He was officially consecrated, or made a bishop, on December 13, 1983.
Bishop of Belleville
On December 29, 1993, Pope John Paul II appointed Gregory as the bishop of Belleville, Illinois. He was installed on February 10, 1994.
In 2001, he was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). During his time as president, the USCCB created the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." This was a plan to address problems in the church and make it a safer place for everyone. His work on this issue was recognized by Time Magazine, which named him a Person of the Week in 2002.
Archbishop of Atlanta
On December 9, 2004, Pope John Paul II named Gregory the archbishop of Atlanta. He was the third African-American archbishop to serve in the United States.
Gregory continued to be a leading voice in the church for protecting children. He wrote a column in the local church newspaper, The Georgia Bulletin, where he shared his thoughts on faith and his work.
In 2014, Gregory faced criticism when the archdiocese built a new $2.2 million home for the archbishop. Many people felt this was too expensive. Gregory apologized, saying he had not thought about how this would look to families who were struggling to pay their own bills. He then ordered the house to be sold and moved into a more modest home.
Archbishop of Washington
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On April 4, 2019, Pope Francis appointed Gregory as the archbishop of Washington. He was installed on May 21, 2019.
In June 2020, Gregory spoke out after a visit by President Donald Trump to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington. Police had used force to clear protestors before the president arrived for a photo opportunity. Gregory said he found it "baffling and reprehensible" that a Catholic place would be used in a way that went against religious principles of peace and defending the rights of all people.
Pope Francis accepted Gregory's resignation as archbishop on January 6, 2025. Cardinal Robert W. McElroy was named as his successor.
Becoming a Cardinal
On October 25, 2020, Pope Francis announced that he would make Gregory a cardinal. This is one of the highest positions in the Catholic Church. The ceremony took place on November 28, 2020. Cardinal Gregory became the first African-American cardinal in history.
In December 2020, Pope Francis also named him a member of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, a department at the Vatican. As a cardinal, he participated in the 2025 papal conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
His Views on Important Topics
Working with Political Leaders
After the election of Joe Biden as president in 2020, Cardinal Gregory said it was important to talk with the new government. He noted that he and President Biden, who is also Catholic, disagreed on some issues. However, they agreed on others, such as respecting immigrants, ending the death penalty, and working for social justice.
Gregory said he would continue to allow President Biden to receive the eucharist (a central part of Catholic worship). He explained, "I don't want to go to the table with a gun on the table first."
Gun Laws
In 2014, while in Georgia, Gregory spoke against a new law that allowed people to carry guns in many public places, including churches. He said he would not allow guns in Catholic churches in his archdiocese, except for police or military members on duty. He stated that guns in church went against Jesus's teachings of peace.
Welcoming All People
Cardinal Gregory has been known for his welcoming approach to all people, including LGBTQ Catholics. In 2019, when asked by a transgender person if they had a place in the church, he replied: "You belong to the heart of this Church. And there is nothing that you may do, may say, that will ever rip you from the heart of this Church." He stressed the importance of talking and listening to one another with respect.
Honors
- Honorary doctorates from several universities, including Xavier University and Boston College.
- The Great Preacher Award from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in 2002.
- Inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in 2006.
See also
In Spanish: Wilton Daniel Gregory para niños
- Cardinals created by Pope Francis
- 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
