John F. Whealon
Encyclopedia
John Francis Whealon was an American
clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
. He served as Bishop of Erie
(1966–68) and Archbishop of Hartford
(1968–91).
, Ohio
, to John Joseph and Mary Christina (née Zanders) Whealon. He received his early education at St. Augustine School in his native city from 1927 to 1934, and attended St. Charles College
in Catonsville
, Maryland
, from 1934 to 1940. He then returned to Ohio and made his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland from 1940 to 1945. He was ordained
to the priesthood
on May 26, 1945. He briefly served as a curate
at St. Peter Church in Akron
before entering the University of Ottawa
, where he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology
degree.
Upon his return to Ohio, he served as a curate at St. Dominic Church in Shaker Heights
and professor
of Sacred Scripture
at St. Mary's Seminary from 1946 to 1948. He furthered his studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute
in Rome
from 1948 to 1950. He returned to Ohio and was named a curate at St. Aloysius Church in Cleveland in 1950. He resumed his post as professor at St. Mary's Seminary in 1952, and became rector
of Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe
the following year. He was named a papal chamberlain
in 1955, and raised to the rank of domestic prelate
in 1959. He contributed to Catholic Biblical Quarterly
and was vice president
of the Catholic Biblical Association (1959–60).
On June 5, 1961, Whealon was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
of Cleveland and Titular Bishop
of Andrapa by Pope John XXIII
. He received his episcopal
consecration
on the following July 6 from Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi
, with Bishops Paul John Hallinan
and Floyd Lawrence Begin
serving as co-consecrators
. Between 1962 and 1965, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council
. Following the resignation of Archbishop John Mark Gannon
, Whealon was named the sixth Bishop of Erie
, Pennsylvania
, by Pope Paul VI
on December 9, 1966.
Two years later, on December 28, 1968, Whealon was appointed Archbishop of Hartford
, Connecticut
, following the resignation of Archbishop Henry Joseph O'Brien
. During his 23-year-long administration, he established a program to train married men to be ordained as deacon
s, advocated the promotion of women within the structure of the Church, and developed a team ministry in which clerical and lay people administer a parish together. He was active on ecumenical
issues, and was chairman of the Committee on Ecumenism of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
and head of ChrisConn, the Christian conference of Connecticut.
Whealon left the Democratic Party
in 1988 because of his opposition to abortion
, declaring in his column in the weekly Catholic Transcript that he was "unable in conscience to remain a registered Democrat" because of the party's support of legal and government-financed abortions. In 1974, he said that Catholic healthcare professionals who participated in abortions faced excommunication
. He even resigned from a local television station's program advisory committee because the station did not cancel an episode of Maude
that dealt with abortion. He also described a state-sponsored advertising campaign that encouraged sexually active adults to use condom
s to prevents AIDS
as "a commendable effort but a serious mistake to present condoms as the answer to the threat." He supported the Vietnam War
and defended the maintenance of nuclear weapons.
The Archbishop died unexpectedly during a routine surgical procedure at St. Francis Hospital
in Hartford.
The Archdiocese's annual fundraising golf tournament is named in his honor. Additionally, the Waterbury chapter of the Knights of Columbus bears his name - the Archbishop John F. Whealon Council 10865.
|-
|-
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He served as Bishop of Erie
Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie is a Roman Catholic diocese in western Pennsylvania. It was founded on July 29, 1853. It is one of seven suffragan sees in Pennsylvania that make up the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, which is headed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.-...
(1966–68) and Archbishop of Hartford
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford is a particular church of the Latin Rite in Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. The archdiocese includes about 700,000 Catholics, more than 500 priests, 216 parishes and almost 300 deacons. This is roughly one-half the population of...
(1968–91).
Biography
John Whealon was born in BarbertonBarberton, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,899 people, 11,523 households, and 7,443 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,095.2 people per square mile . There were 12,163 housing units at an average density of 1,349.4 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, to John Joseph and Mary Christina (née Zanders) Whealon. He received his early education at St. Augustine School in his native city from 1927 to 1934, and attended St. Charles College
St. Charles College, Maryland
St. Charles College was a seminary college in Catonsville, Maryland, originally from Ellicott City, Maryland.- 1776:Charles Carroll of Carrollton signs the Declaration of Independence for Maryland. One of the wealthiest men in the Americas, Carroll staked his fortune on the American Revolution...
in Catonsville
Catonsville, Maryland
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:In 2010 Catonsville had a population of 41,567...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, from 1934 to 1940. He then returned to Ohio and made his theological studies at St. Mary's Seminary in Cleveland from 1940 to 1945. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on May 26, 1945. He briefly served as a curate
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at St. Peter Church in Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
before entering the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
, where he earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology
Doctor of Sacred Theology
The Doctor of Sacred Theology is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church....
degree.
Upon his return to Ohio, he served as a curate at St. Dominic Church in Shaker Heights
Shaker Heights, Ohio
Shaker Heights is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the city population was 28,448. It is an inner-ring streetcar suburb of Cleveland that abuts the city on its eastern side.-Topography:Shaker Heights is located at...
and professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Sacred Scripture
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
at St. Mary's Seminary from 1946 to 1948. He furthered his studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute
Pontifical Biblical Institute
The Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy is an institution of the Holy See run by the Jesuits that offers instruction at the university level...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
from 1948 to 1950. He returned to Ohio and was named a curate at St. Aloysius Church in Cleveland in 1950. He resumed his post as professor at St. Mary's Seminary in 1952, and became rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe
Wickliffe, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there are 13,484 people, 5,604 households, 3,754 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,898.2 people per square mile . There are 5,787 housing units at an average density of 1,243.8 per square mile...
the following year. He was named a papal chamberlain
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in 1955, and raised to the rank of domestic prelate
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
in 1959. He contributed to Catholic Biblical Quarterly
Catholic Biblical Quarterly
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly is a refereed theological journal published by the Catholic Biblical Association of America....
and was vice president
Vice president
A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president...
of the Catholic Biblical Association (1959–60).
On June 5, 1961, Whealon was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Cleveland and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Andrapa by Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII
-Papal election:Following the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958, Roncalli was elected Pope, to his great surprise. He had even arrived in the Vatican with a return train ticket to Venice. Many had considered Giovanni Battista Montini, Archbishop of Milan, a possible candidate, but, although archbishop...
. He received his episcopal
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
consecration
Consecration
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means "to associate with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different groups...
on the following July 6 from Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi
Egidio Vagnozzi
Edigio Vagnozzi was an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as the second president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See from 1968 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1967.-Biography:Egidio Vagnozzi was born in Rome to Francesco and Pasqua ...
, with Bishops Paul John Hallinan
Paul John Hallinan
Paul John Hallinan was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Charleston and Archbishop of Atlanta . He was known as a champion of racial equality and liturgical reform.-Early life and education:Paul Hallinan was born in Painesville, Ohio, to Clarence C. and...
and Floyd Lawrence Begin
Floyd Lawrence Begin
Floyd Lawrence Begin was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Oakland from 1962 until his death in 1977.-Early life and education:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. Between 1962 and 1965, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
. Following the resignation of Archbishop John Mark Gannon
John Mark Gannon
John Mark Gannon was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Erie from 1920 to 1966, and was given the personal title of Archbishop in 1953.-Biography:...
, Whealon was named the sixth Bishop of Erie
Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie is a Roman Catholic diocese in western Pennsylvania. It was founded on July 29, 1853. It is one of seven suffragan sees in Pennsylvania that make up the Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia, which is headed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.-...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
on December 9, 1966.
Two years later, on December 28, 1968, Whealon was appointed Archbishop of Hartford
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford is a particular church of the Latin Rite in Hartford, Litchfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut. The archdiocese includes about 700,000 Catholics, more than 500 priests, 216 parishes and almost 300 deacons. This is roughly one-half the population of...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, following the resignation of Archbishop Henry Joseph O'Brien
Henry Joseph O'Brien
Henry Joseph O'Brien was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Hartford from 1945 to 1968.-Biography:...
. During his 23-year-long administration, he established a program to train married men to be ordained as deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
s, advocated the promotion of women within the structure of the Church, and developed a team ministry in which clerical and lay people administer a parish together. He was active on ecumenical
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
issues, and was chairman of the Committee on Ecumenism of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
and head of ChrisConn, the Christian conference of Connecticut.
Whealon left the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in 1988 because of his opposition to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, declaring in his column in the weekly Catholic Transcript that he was "unable in conscience to remain a registered Democrat" because of the party's support of legal and government-financed abortions. In 1974, he said that Catholic healthcare professionals who participated in abortions faced excommunication
Excommunication
Excommunication is a religious censure used to deprive, suspend or limit membership in a religious community. The word means putting [someone] out of communion. In some religions, excommunication includes spiritual condemnation of the member or group...
. He even resigned from a local television station's program advisory committee because the station did not cancel an episode of Maude
Maude (TV series)
Maude was an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS network from September 12, 1972 until April 22, 1978.Maude starred Beatrice Arthur as Maude Findlay, an outspoken, middle-aged, politically liberal woman living in suburban Tuckahoe, Westchester County, New York with...
that dealt with abortion. He also described a state-sponsored advertising campaign that encouraged sexually active adults to use condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s to prevents AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
as "a commendable effort but a serious mistake to present condoms as the answer to the threat." He supported the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and defended the maintenance of nuclear weapons.
The Archbishop died unexpectedly during a routine surgical procedure at St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital
St. Francis Hospital may refer to:*St. Francis Hospital *St. Francis Hospital *St. Francis Hospital *St. Francis Hospital of The Sisters Of The Poor Of St...
in Hartford.
The Archdiocese's annual fundraising golf tournament is named in his honor. Additionally, the Waterbury chapter of the Knights of Columbus bears his name - the Archbishop John F. Whealon Council 10865.
External links
|-
|-