John Dearden
John Francis Cardinal Dearden (October 15, 1907—August 1, 1988) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Detroit from 1958 to 1980, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1969.
Biography
John Francis Dearden was born in Valley Falls, Rhode Island to John Sidney Dearden and his wife Agnes Gregory. He attended elementary school at Holy Trinity School and later at Cleveland, Ohio's St. Philomena School, where his family moved in 1918. Dearden graduated from Cathedral Latin School and St. Mary's, the Cleveland archdiocesan seminary. He did graduate work at the North American College in Rome as well as the Pontifical Gregorian University. On December 8, 1932, he was ordained to the priesthood by Francesco Cardinal Marchetti-Selvaggiani.
Dearden served in parish assignments in Ohio before being named a professor of philosophy at St. Mary Seminary, where he was rector for several years. On March 13, 1948, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Pittsburgh and Titular Bishop of Sarepta. Dearden received his episcopal consecration on the following May 18 from Archbishop Amleto Cicognani. Dearden's stern manner of administration even earned him the nickname of "Iron John"[1]. In 1950 he succeeded the late Hugh C. Boyle as Bishop of Pittsburgh, where he served for eight years. In 1958 Edward Cardinal Mooney died, and Dearden succeeded him as Archbishop of Detroit. He was installed January 29, 1959.
He played an important role in the Second Vatican Council. At the Council, Dearden became exceedingly more liberal in his views, and soon became a leading progressive voice in the Church[2] [3]. He was dedicated to implementing the Council's reforms; particularly, he gave priests and the laity a greater partcipation in dealing with such matters as liturgy, education, and finances[4]. From 1966 to 1971, Dearden served as the first president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was also seen as one of the likely candidates to succeed Francis Cardinal Spellman as Archbishop of New York[5] [6]. During the 1971 Synod of Bishops in Vatican City, Dearden suggested that the sociological and psychological aspects of the priesthood be investigated[7].
Pope Paul VI created him Cardinal Priest of S. Pio X alla Balduina in the consistory of April 28, 1969.
Dearden died in Southfield, Michigan, at age 80. He is buried in Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery.
Trivia
- He once survived a heart attack[8].
References
- ^ TIME Magazine. A New Model from Detroit April 11, 1969
- ^ TIME Magazine. Princely Promotions April 4, 1969
- ^ TIME Magazine. A Healer for Catholics December 2, 1974
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ TIME Magazine. Choosing a Successor December 15, 1967
- ^ TIME Magazine. Succession to Spellman March 15, 1968
- ^ TIME Magazine. Strengthening Paul's Hand October 18, 1971
- ^ TIME Magazine. The September Pope October 9, 1978
- Glenn, Francis A. (1993). Shepherds of the Faith 1843-1993: A Brief History of the Bishops of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh: Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. ISBN none.
- "John Francis Cardinal Dearden". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2006-10-06.
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