Biography
American ecclesiastic, a Cardinal, the oldest active bishop in the U.S.
and one of the country's most influential Roman Catholics.
O'Connor is one of five kids born to Irish immigrants; his dad was of
Irish ancestry and his mom, German. His dad was a goldleafer who restored
antique furniture and added gilding in churches. When John's mom was
blinded by glaucoma, the family's comfortable living was drained by
medical expenses. After a year, his mom's sight returned spontaneously and
it was regarded as a miracle in response to her prayers to St. Rita.
Attending a number of colleges and universities in Philadelphia,
Delaware and Washington, O’Connor earned advanced degrees in superior
ethics, clinical psychology and political science. He owes his vocation,
he says, to the Christian Brothers who taught him in his Catholic High
School. His teachers remember him as a shy, frail boy, versatile and
highly intelligent. He was ordained to the priesthood on 12/15/1945,
Philadelphia, PA.
O'Connor grew into a robust six-footer of ramrod stature and a
commanding bearing. A polished speaker, he had a spontaneous wit, a warm,
gentle manner, an arm-around-the-shoulders geniality and a disarming
democracy. After teaching and parish work in Philadelphia, he entered
service as a chaplain with the United States Navy and Marine Corps in
1952, serving for 27 years. He had assignments in Korea and in Vietnam,
where he received a Gold Star for service in 1966. He retired from the
military on 6/01/1979, at which time he was ordained a bishop for the
armed forces of the United States by Pope John Paul II.
In 1983 he became Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and on 3/19/1984,
he was made Bishop of New York. He was created a Cardinal in 5/25/1985,
receiving the red biretta and title of Ss. Giovanni e Paolo. He charmed
New Yorkers with his self-depreciating wit and warmth while making
headlines with his opposition to abortion and homosexuality along with
chastising politicians. In his high-profile position in New York, O'Connor
became one of the city's more prominent citizens -- co-authoring a book
with ex-mayor Edward I. Koch and greeting the city's elite on the steps of
the cathedral each St. Patrick's Day. He also authored "Defense of
Life," 1981.
In 1999, O'Connor's health began to fail and doctors removed a tumor
from his brain on 9/05/1999. The tumor was diagnosed while the 79-year-old
cardinal was hospitalized for tests at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer
Center on August 25th. After the surgery, O'Connor received radiation
therapy for several weeks. His surgery and subsequent treatments took
their toll on the cardinal, who walked slowly and leaned on a cane as he
made his way to the altar of St. Patrick's Cathedral. He anticipated
retirement on his 80th birthday. On 3/07/2000, John Cardinal O’Connor
was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
He died of brain cancer at 8:05 PM EDT on 5/03/2000, peacefully at his
home behind Saint Patrick's Cathedral surrounded by family and friends. He
was buried in the crypt of St. Patrick's metropolitan cathedral, New York.
His successor is Bishop Edward Egan the current bishop of Bridgeport, CT,
born 4/02/1932, Oak Park, IL.
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