Upon learning of John Cardinal O'Connor's death tonight, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, issued the following statement: "It is with much sadness that I learned of the death of John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York. Cardinal O'Connor was an outstanding priest, an exemplary Bishop, and a true friend. As a parish priest, a high school professor, a military chaplain and a diocesan Bishop and Cardinal, Cardinal O'Connor always responded generously to God's Will and served selflessly in whatever the Church asked of him. His courage, compassion, gentleness and good humor were hallmarks of this man, who was a loyal son of the Church and a dedicated servant of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of sickness and physical weakness, Cardinal O'Connor demonstrated the strength which comes from trust in God. With his suffering united to the sufferings of Christ, Cardinal O'Connor taught us complete and joyful acceptance of God's Will.

Cardinal O'Connor was a native son of Philadelphia. The Clergy, Religious and lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia join me in extending to our brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of New York, as well as to the members of Cardinal O'Connor's family, our heartfelt sympathy and fervent prayers that their devoted shepherd may enter into the reward of the just and may live with Christ and the saints forever."

John Cardinal O'Connor was born in Philadelphia on January 15, 1920. He attended Saint Barnabas Elementary School in Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic High School. Cardinal O'Connor attended Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained a priest at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on December 15, 1945. He taught at Saint James High School in Chester and lived at Saint Gabriel Church in Norwood, Pennsylvania until he entered the armed services in 1952. In 1979, O'Connor was ordained a Bishop by Pope John Paul II for the Armed Forces of the United States. On June 29, 1983, Cardinal O'Connor was appointed Bishop of Scranton before being installed as Archbishop of New York on March 19,1984. Cardinal O'Connor was elevated by Pope John Paul II to the College of Cardinals on May 25, 1985.

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FACT SHEET ON
JOHN CARDINAL O'CONNOR


• John Cardinal O'Connor was born in Philadelphia on January 15, 1920, the son of the late Thomas J. and Dorothy O'Connor

• Attended St. Barnabas Elementary School in Southwest Philadelphia

• Graduate of West Catholic High School

• He was ordained at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul on December 15, 1945 by Auxiliary Bishop Hugh L. Lamb

• Taught at St. James High School in Chester

• Lived at St. Gabriel Church, in Norwood, Pa. until he entered the armed services in 1952

• Entered U. S. Navy in 1952 as Chaplain

• 1972 he became the first Catholic to hold the position of senior chaplain at the Naval Academy at Annapolis

• 1975 promoted to Rear Admiral (was highest ranking clergyman in the armed forces) and served four years as Chief of Chaplains of U.S. Navy and was chairman of the Armed Forces Chaplains' Board

• 1979 - retired from military service

• May 27, 1979 O'Connor was consecrated a bishop by Pope John Paul II and named Vicar General of the Military Ordinariate

• June 29, 1983 appointed Seventh Bishop of Scranton

• March 19, 1984 installed as Archbishop of New York

• May 25, 1985 elevated by Pope John Paul II to College of Cardinals

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