Edward Egan
Template:Infobox cardinalbiog Edward Michael Cardinal Egan STL JCD (born April 2, 1932) is a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. He currently serves as the twelfth bishop and ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York.
Early life and career
Born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, an ethnically diverse suburb bordering the western edge of Chicago, Egan attended local schools where he received what he described as a calling to Holy Orders. After studies at Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary, he entered the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. His bishop assigned him to continue theological studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. He was ordained there on December 15, 1957. Before returning to the United States, Egan obtained a license in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Egan's administrative expertise began when he was appointed curate of Holy Name Cathedral. He then became private secretary to Albert Cardinal Meyer, Archbishop of Chicago and attained the office of assistant chancellor of the archdiocese. In 1960, Egan returned to the Pontifical Gregorian University where he became assistant vice-rector and repetitor of moral theology and canon law. It was in that capacity that he attained his doctorate in canon law. Returning to the Archdiocese of Chicago, Egan was appointed private secretary to John Cardinal Cody, Archbishop of Chicago. He also became co-chancellor of the archdiocese. In 1971, Pope Paul VI appointed Egan to become an auditor (judge) of the Sacred Roman Rota, the appellate tribunal of the Holy See.
Episcopal career
| Styles of Edward Cardinal Egan | |
|---|---|
.svg?lang=en) | |
| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | New York |
With a great wealth of expertise, Egan was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York on April 1, 1985 by Pope John Paul II. He was ordained to the episcopate on May 22, 1985 becoming titular bishop of the titular see of Allegheny.
When John Cardinal O'Connor, at the time Archbishop of New York, was informed of Egan's nomination by the Pope as Auxiliary Bishop, he wrote a letter to his priests stating that he had not personally chosen Monsignor Egan to be his auxiliary. To this day a number of Vatican-watchers mention their perplexity at the Pope's decision to place Egan in New York, after the fact that Egan was informed, as has come to light, that he would be announced coadjutor to the then-ailing Humberto Sousa Cardinal Medeiros of Boston. Bishop Bernard Law, later a cardinal, was instead named to Boston.
Upon the episcopal vacancy in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Pope John Paul II appointed Egan Bishop of Bridgeport on November 5, 1988, and Egan was officially took up office on December 14, 1988.
Egan was appointed Archbishop of New York on May 11, 2000 and installed in that position on June 19, 2000. He was elevated to Cardinal on February 21, 2001, holding the Titulus (as a cardinal-presbyter) of Sts. John and Paul (Ss. Ioannis et Pauli), the same cardinalatial title held by all of the archbishops of New York since it was first given to Cardinal Francis Spellman in 1946.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Catholic University of America and a member of the Board of Governors at Ave Maria School of Law.
Since becoming archbishop of New York, Egan has made it a priority to encourage vocations to the priesthood. Besides private initiatives, each year on the feast of St. Joseph (March 19) he offers a Mass to which highschool and college men who are attracted to the priestly vocation are invited. He has appointed two priests as vocation directors to aid him in promoting the vocation to the priesthood.
A main concern of the cardinal has been the archdiocesan seminary in Yonkers, New York. Each year, he offers a Mass for vocations to which men considering the priesthood are invited. In March of 2001, he announced his decision to restructure the seminary faculty. A Staten Island pastor was chosen as seminary rector. Among others, the Cardinal added Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J., Sister Sara Butler, M.S.B.T., and Father John Augustine DiNoia, O.P. (before he was called to Rome to be undersecretary for the CDF in 2002) to the faculty. The minor seminary was moved to the campus of the major seminary. To maintain regular contact with the seminarians, one Sunday each month, Egan invites them to serve his 10:15 am Mass at the cathedral of Saint Patrick and afterward meets with them in his residence. Moreover, each year, he himself conducts a day of prayer and reflection for the seminary.
For retired priests, Egan established the John Cardinal O'Connor residence in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.
In 2002 the "Institución del Mérito Humanitario" with its seat in Barcelona (Spain) awarded him with the "Gran Cruz al Mérito Humanitario".
On June 6, 2002 Pope John Paul II named Cardinal Egan along with five other cardinals to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature, the Church's highest court in matters of Canon Law.
In June 2003, Egan was criticized for concealing the names of priests who have been accused of child molestation and found not guilty by the Church. His spokesman argued that the innocent should be protected, yet, groups such as Voice of the Faithful were critical claiming the entire process was out of the public view. (See Roman Catholic sex abuse cases.)
Since becoming Archbishop of New York, the Cardinal has been interested in social communications. In December of 2006, Cardinal Egan began hosting a weekly program on The Catholic Channel of Sirius Satellite Radio in which he discusses a variety of topics, including events in the Archdiocese and issues in the Church. The station launched by the Cardinal's initiative also broadcasts his Sunday Mass from the Cathedral. At other times scheduled programs include news, human-interest stories and inspirational themes, reflections on Scripture, Catholic education, social ministry, sacred music, interviews, call-in, and spiritual guidance.[1]
Egan was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Egan, in keeping with the Code of Canon Law, offered his resignation as archbishop of New York to the Pope in April of 2007 when he reached 75 years of age. To date, Pope Benedict XVI has delayed accepting such a resignation, as was done with Egan's predecessor, Cardinal John O'Connor, who died in office at the age of 80. Cardinal Egan will remain a voting member of the College of Cardinals and able to participate in any future conclaves that begin prior to his 80th birthday on April 2, 2012 - he will then be able to participate in discussions prior to voting, but will not be able to enter the conclave.
Committee of Concerned Clergy controversy
On October 11 2006 a letter claiming to represent the views of group of priests called the "Committee of Concerned Clergy for the Archdiocese of New York" proposed a vote of no confidence of the cardinal [2]. The unsigned letter was very critical of the cardinal and declared, "At no time has the relationship between the Ordinary and the priests of the Archdiocese been so fractured and seemingly hopeless as it is now." Subsequently, on October 16,Cardinal Egan held a meeting with his presbyteral council.
The Priest's Council expressed its support for the cardinal and his continued ministry in the archdiocese declaring, "We are appalled that the letter was sent anonymously, and that it can and has been used by those who seek to damage the Church." It added, "As today's meeting has shown, it is possible to meet and discuss any issue with Cardinal Egan, and if any priest has a concern he can raise it and discuss it at any time. A letter of this sort does a grave disservice to the entire Church and to this archdiocese in particular."[3] Cardinal Egan's own letter responding to the anonymous letter can be found here:[4].[citation needed]
![[4]](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5558/718/1600/eganletter20.10.jpg){kind=link}
Church Closings and Openings
Cardinal Egan, after more than a year of careful study and consultation, announced on January 19, 2007 that ten parishes of the Archdiocese would be canonically suppressed and eleven would be merged with other parishes. The announcement also made known that the cardinal had decided not to close or merge nine parishes and six missions originally recommended either for closing or merger. Moreover, five new parishes would be established, three in Orange County, and one each in Staten Island and Dutchess due to population increases. Building projects were also approved for nine parishes.[5]
Understandably, the closures caused some discontent. At a parish in Yonkers, two men were arrested and charged with trespassing after refusing to leave. They were later released after being issued desk appearance tickets. Parishioners at a German national parish in East Harlem were holding a vigil. [6]
Retirement Speculation
On 2 April 2007 Cardinal Egan turned 75 as so as per Canon 401 of the Code of Canon law handed his resigation to the Vatican. The pope could at any time accept the resignation and name a new archbishop. In the meantime, Cardinal Egan continues to guide the archdiocese, opening the the bicentennial of the Archdiocese of New York on Sunday, April 15 at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Moreover, on December 15 of 2007, Egan will celebrate his 50th anniversary as a priest.
Quotes
- On retirement: "When I was ordained, I made a promise to myself. .. I would ask for nothing, and I'd refuse nothing. I'd never do anything to have an appointment or an assignment -- whatever came, came. And whenever they wanted me to stop what I was doing, I'd stop. I've lived that way for 49 years [of priesthood], and I intend to continue living that way. Whatever happens, happens, and I am delighted with any decision that's made."
- On the Committee of Concerned Clergy controversy: "My own guess is that this was written by a layman. I know no priest that was involved in anything like this, and the language is such that it doesn't sound like it doesn't come from a priest"
- Biggest accomplishment as Archbishop: "I always think my biggest accomplishment as a bishop and as a priest is to lead the people in prayer. I would never think that anything I could do in any other effort would be equal to that."
- How would Egan like to be remembered: "Well, I hope [New Yorkers] remember me as one of the archbishops of New York, who came here because he was assigned to come here, and worked as hard as he could to proclaim the Gospel, to see to it that the sacramental life of the church was available, and to announce the Gospel of charity and justice"
Episcopal succession
Ordination history of Edward Egan | |||||||||||||||||||
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External links
- Archdiocese of New York
- Egan's monthly column in Catholic New York
- Statements by Egan
- Egan interviewed by David Ushery
- Pastoral Visit
- Dedicates Fordham Church