Edwin Frederick O'Brien

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Cardinal priest (2022‍–‍present)
Personal details
Born (1939-04-08) April 8, 1939 (age 85)
Bronx, New York
, US
Previous post(s)
MottoPastores dabo vobis
(
Latin for 'I will give you shepherds') Jeremiah 3
:15
Ordination history of
Edwin Frederick O'Brien
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained by
Joseph Walter Estabrook
2004
Source(s):Catholic-Hierarchy.org[2]
Styles of
Edwin Frederick O'Brien
His Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeBaltimore (Emeritus)

Edwin Frederick O'Brien (born April 8, 1939) is an American

cardinal since 2012 and headed the Order of the Holy Sepulchre
from 2011 to 2019.

O'Brien served as archbishop of the

Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA, from 1997 to 2007. He was an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York
from 1996 to 1997.

Early life and education

Edwin O'Brien was born on April 8, 1939, in the

St. Mary's High School in Katonah, New York from 1953 to 1957.[3]

O'Brien entered

St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York in 1959, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (1961), Master of Divinity (1964), and Master of Arts (1965) degrees.[3]

Priesthood

in O'Brien was

ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of New York by Cardinal Francis Spellman on May 29, 1965.[3]

O'Brien served as a civilian

82nd Division
.

O'Brien was sent to

Fort Gordon
until his discharge from the service in 1973.

In 1973, O'Brien was sent by Cardinal

Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas Angelicum in Rome with a Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1976. His dissertation was titled The Origin and Development of Moral Principles in the Theology of Paul Ramsey.[6]

Returning to New York, O'Brien served as both the

St. Patrick Cathedral Parish in Manhattan from 1976 to 1981.[3] He coordinated Pope John Paul II's visit to New York in 1979 and was the archdiocesan director of communications from 1981 to 1983.[3] Between 1983 and 1985, O'Brien served as priest-secretary to Cardinal Cooke and then to his successor, Cardinal John O'Connor.[3]

O'Brien was elevated by the Vatican to honorary prelate of his holiness in 1986.[3] He served as rector of St. Joseph's Seminary from 1985 to 1989, and of the Pontifical North American College from 1990 to 1994. Returning to New York, O'Brien served another term as rector of St. Joseph's from 1994 to 1997.[5]

Auxiliary Bishop of New York

On February 6, 1996, John Paul II appointed O'Brien as

Patrick Sheridan and John Nolan serving as co-consecrators, at St. Patrick's Cathedral.[2] O'Brien selected as his episcopal motto: Pastores Dabo Vobis, meaning, "I will give you shepherds" Jeremiah 3:15.[3]

During this time, O’Brien continued to serve as rector of St. Joseph's Seminary. While serving there, he ordained (with Vatican permission) Reverend Eugene Hamilton, a 24-year old seminarian who was suffering from terminal cancer. O'Connor had petitioned the Vatican for Hamilton's early ordination, which O'Brien officiated a few hours before Hamilton died.[7]

Archbishop for the Military Services, USA

On April 7, 1997, John Paul II appointed O'Brien as coadjutor archbishop for the Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA.[2] He succeeded Archbishop Joseph Dimino when he retired on August 12, 1997. During his 10 years as archbishop of the Military Services, O'Brien divided his time between visiting American troops and working with the Pontifical North American College. In 1993, he initiated the cause of canonization for Emil Kapaun, a US Army chaplain killed while in captivity during the Korean War.[8]

From September 2005 to June 2006, O'Brien served in the additional role of the Vatican's coordinator for the papal

clergy sex abuse disclosures."[12]

In 2006, O'Brien noted that declining public support for the Iraq War was leading to a decrease in morale among the troops, adding, "The news only shows cars being blown up, but the soldiers see hospitals being built and schools opening."[13] By 2007, he believed that the status of US operations in Iraq "compels an assessment of our current circumstances and the continuing obligation of the Church to provide a moral framework for public discussion."[14] O'Brien refused to "question the moral integrity of our military personnel," but added, "[O]ur nation must honestly assess what is achievable in Iraq using the traditional just war principles of 'probability of success' ... Our troops should remain in Iraq only as long as their presence contributes to a responsible transition."[14][15]

O'Brien opposed the

National Defense Authorization Act of 2007, saying it "would seek to impose a legislative mandate for military chaplains without considering the religious needs of all military members ... [and] may well result in less public prayer and marginalization of military chaplains."[16] He was appointed a member of the Congregation for Catholic Education in the Roman Curia in May 2007.[17]

Archbishop of Baltimore

On July 12, 2007, Pope

Cathedral of Mary Our Queen
in Baltimore on October 1, 2007.

As head of the nation's oldest archdioceses, O'Brien held the status of

Baltimore, saying,

"I think anybody who wants to take a walk can find areas with very nice homes, well-kept lawns, good streets and sidewalks, and maybe 15 minutes later find themselves in a neighborhood that is just racked, torn apart, as if a war had just been fought."[20]

On June 29, 2008, Benedict XVI invested O'Brien with the pallium, a vestment worn by metropolitan bishops, at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.[21] In October 2008, O'Brien dedicated the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden in Baltimore, which he called a "sanctuary in a suffering city."[22]

O'Brien's three years and 11 months as archbishop was one of the briefest terms in Baltimore's history.

Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

Cardinal Grand Master O'Brien, Pilgrimage OESSH in Rome 2013

On August 17, 2011, after Cardinal

grand master. O'Brien accepted the position the next day and was appointed by Benedict XVI on August 29, 2011.[23]

Benedict XVI elevated O'Brien to cardinal on February 18, 2012. O'Brien was created Cardinal-Deacon of San Sebastiano al Palatino, the same titular church previously held by Cardinal Foley. O'Brien was named grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on March 15, 2012.[24][25]

On April 21, 2012, O'Brien was appointed a member of the

2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.[27]

Pope Francis accepted O'Brien's resignation as grand master on December 8, 2019.[28] On March 4, 2022, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal priest.[29]

Views

Abortion

O'Brien opposes abortion rights for women, calling it the "greatest civil rights issue of our time" and saying,

"[The right to life] will determine whether America remains a hospitable society: committed to caring for women in crisis and their unborn children; committed to caring for those with special needs; committed to caring for the elderly and the dying; or whether America betrays our heritage and the truths on which its founders staked its claim to independence."[30]

During the 2008 US presidential election, O'Brien lamented that the "clear and unchanged teaching of our Church from its earliest days has been so distorted in political debate and commentary,"[31] an indirect criticism of remarks made by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and then-Senator Joe Biden concerning the church's teaching on abortion. In March 2009, O'Brien said he was both "disappointed and bewildered" by the decision of the University of Notre Dame to have President Barack Obama deliver the commencement speech and receive an honorary degree at the university's graduation ceremony, given Obama's support for abortion rights for women and embryonic stem cell research (which O'Brien opposes).[32]

Capital punishment

In 2008, O'Brien expressed his opposition to

Evangelium Vitae, although he had previously "thought it served a purpose."[33]

Legion of Christ

Main article:
Legion of Christ

As archbishop of Baltimore, O'Brien was an outspoken critic of the

Legion of Christ.[34][35][36] He condemned the Legion for its alleged practice of "blind allegiance",[34] lack of "respect for human dignity for each of its members",[35] and "heavily persuasive methods on young people, especially high schoolers, regarding vocations."[37]

In June 2008, O'Brien called for greater "transparency and accountability" from the Legion of Christ and its lay arm,

Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del Río of the Legion. As a result, Martínez del Río directed the Legion and Regnum Christi chapters in the archdiocese to disclose all their activities to O'Brien. He also directed them to stop providing spiritual direction to anyone under age 18. The Legion subsequently experienced decreasing enrollment in the archdiocese, leading to the closure of its Woodmont Academy in Cooksville, Maryland.[38]

In February 2009, the Legion of Christ superiors acknowledged that their founder,

apostolic visitation of the Legion and said that its abolition "should be on the table."[36][a]

Just War

O'Brien has been an outspoken proponent of the just war theory. Sometimes called the "Warrior Cardinal", he is seen as a controversial figure and is considered to have given moral justifications for the 2003 US invasion in Iraq.[43][44] Early in 2003, O'Brien spoke at the United States Military Academy at West Point at mass:

"I know that a lot of people have said that the Pope is against war with Iraq ... But even if he did, you are not bound by conscience to obey his opinion. However, you are bound in conscience to obey the orders of your Commander-in-Chief, and if he orders you to go to war, it is your duty to go to war".[45]

On March 25, 2003, a few days after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, in a letter to U.S. Catholic military chaplains, O'Brien wrote:

"Given the complexity of factors involved, many of which understandably remain confidential, it is altogether appropriate for members of our armed forces to presume the integrity of our [military] leadership and its judgments, and therefore to carry out their military duties in good conscience ... It is to be hoped that all factors which have led to our intervention will eventually be made public, and ... will shed helpful light upon our President's decision".[46]

O'Brien did not endorse the Iraq war or the motivations behind it. Supporters of the war in Iraqi cited his positions.[47] He was criticized by opponents of the war for distancing himself from the pope's position[48][49][50] and that of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.[51]

According to the journalist Sabrina Ferrisi, O'Brien's spiritual direction proved effective in calming the doubts of soldiers, advising them that they can safely leave the responsibility for moral decision-making to the US Government.[52] O'Brien believes that chaplains play an essential role in helping soldiers perform their fighting duties with a clear conscience,[53] and in easing relationships with local populations and to avoid such gross misconduct as the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib.[54] O'Brien complained that too few Catholics priests were serving in active duty, being replaced by chaplains of other faiths because the military disregarded the significance of denominational affiliation.[55] He consistently rejected discussion with Catholic groups that asked chaplains "to call on all Catholic soldiers to leave Iraq.[56]

In July 2009, at the U.S. Strategic Command Deterrence Symposium, O'Brien explained Just War theories, saying "The moral end we seek ought to shape the means we use", that the U.S. must "move beyond nuclear deterrence as rapidly as possible" and urging the world leaders to "stay focused on the destination of a nuclear-weapons-free world and on the concrete steps that lead there."[57][58] In September 2013, when Obama was considering the use of military force in Syria, O'Brien said that "whatever we do will contribute to peace in that part of the world",[59] contradicting the views of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Syria.[60]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ In 2010 the Vatican agreed to a request by the consecrated lay branch for their own Apostolic Visitator: "The Holy Father will send a visitator to the consecrated members of the "Regnum Christi" Movement, who have insistently requested this."[41] At their own request, all the lay consecrated have become more autonomous. In 2013 they elected a general director and a five-woman council, each with a term of six years. They have developed an eight-year discernment process for consecrated women.[42]

References

  1. ^ "Cardinals Created by Benedict XVI (2012)". GCatholic.org. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Edwin Frederick Cardinal O'Brien". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. David M. Cheney. February 25, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien - Biography". Archdiocese of Baltimore. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Edwin F. O'Brien: Highlights". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Pope Accepts Resignation of Archbishop Dimino; Names Archbishop O'Brien to Succeed Him in Military Archdiocese". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. August 12, 1997.
  6. ^
    Archdiocese of Baltimore. Archived from the original
    on February 4, 2013.
  7. ^ Kramer, Peter D. "Ordained only 3 hours, he is forever a priest". The Journal News. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  8. ^ Riggs, Christopher (July 17, 2008). "Canonization cause formally opened for Father Kapaun, Korean War hero". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012.
  9. ^ Filteau, Jerry (September 16, 2006). "Homosexuality question for seminary visitations sparks flap". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on September 17, 2005.
  10. ^ "Archbishop: Seminaries should not accept even celibate homosexuals". Catholic News Service. September 7, 2005. Archived from the original on September 8, 2005.
  11. ^ "Archbishop says he's not speaking for Vatican on gays in seminaries". Catholic News Service. September 30, 2005. Archived from the original on October 5, 2005.
  12. ^ "CARDINAL EDWIN F. O'BRIEN". Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  13. ^ Linskey, Regina (December 14, 2006). "Iraq: More deaths, few stories of hope leave many asking what's next". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on December 30, 2006.
  14. ^ a b Palmo, Rocco (July 12, 2007). "Balto Goes Gotham". Whispers in the Loggia.
  15. ^ Asher, Julie (May 30, 2007). "U.S. must honestly assess what is achievable in Iraq, says archbishop". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013.
  16. ^ O'Brien, Nancy Frazier (October 4, 2006). "Proposal on chaplains' prayers could hurt military, archbishop says". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on October 10, 2006.
  17. ^ "Pope names North Americans to two Vatican offices". Catholic News Service. May 24, 2007. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013.
  18. ^ O'Brien, Nancy Frazier (July 12, 2007). "Cardinal Keeler retires; Archbishop O'Brien succeeds him in Baltimore". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on January 19, 2013.
  19. ^ Donovan, Doug; Fuller, Nicole (July 13, 2007). "O'Brien spent past decade ministering to military". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  20. ^ "Baltimore's new archbishop talks about hopes, challenges". Catholic News Service. January 11, 2008. Archived from the original on May 21, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  21. ^ Glatz, Carol (June 30, 2008). "Pope gives palliums to archbishops, says church's mission is to unite". Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on July 8, 2008.
  22. ^ "Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden". Archdiocese of Baltimore. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  23. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 29.08.2011" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. August 29, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  24. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 15.03.2012" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. March 15, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  25. ^ Pattison, Mark (January 6, 2012). "Cardinal-designate O'Brien used to new and varied assignments". Catholic Review. Catholic News Service. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  26. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 21.04.2012" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  27. ^ "List of Cardinal Electors". Zenit. March 12, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  28. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 08.12.2019" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  29. ^ "Ordinary Public Consistory for the vote on some Causes for Canonization" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. March 4, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  30. ^ Palmo, Rocco (October 1, 2008). "O'Brien O'Baltimore: The Maryland Tradition, Vol. XV, Day One". Whispers in the Loggia.
  31. ^ Palmo, Rocco (October 15, 2008). "The Way of Life". Whispers in the Loggia.
  32. ^ Matysek, George P Jr. (April 7, 2009). "Archbishop is 'disappointed,' 'bewildered' by honor to Obama". The Catholic Review. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009.
  33. Archdiocese of Baltimore. August 19, 2008. Archived from the original
    on February 5, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  34. ^ a b c Allen, Jr., John (June 12, 2008). "Baltimore archbishop demands greater accountability from Legionaries of Christ". National Catholic Reporter.
  35. ^ a b c Matysek, Jr., George P (February 25, 2009). "Baltimore archbp concerned about Legionaries". National Catholic Reporter.
  36. ^ a b c Allen, Jr., John Allen (April 3, 2009). "Abolition of Legionaries should be 'on the table'". National Catholic Reporter.
  37. ^ Allen, Jr., John (June 27, 2008). "Legionaries of Christ: Legionaries face restrictions in Baltimore". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on November 3, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  38. ^ "Woodmont Academy to close due to enrollment issues". Catholic Review. April 12, 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
  39. ^ Alessi, Scott (February 22, 2009). "Revelations of founder's double life rocks religious order". Our Sunday Visitor. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011.
  40. ^ "Legionaries of Christ acknowledge founder's 'inappropriate' behavior". Catholic News Agency. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2009.
  41. ^ "Comunicato della Santa Sede, 01.05.2010" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. May 1, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  42. ^ "Graduate students help with renewal of religious order". Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  43. ^ Doran, Andrew (May 9, 2013). "How the Iraq War Became a War on Christians". The American Conservative.
  44. ^ "Christianity Could Become Extinct in Iraq as Islamists Drive Out Believers". Charisma News. April 29, 2013.
  45. ^ "What are we doing to halt this genocide?". The Catholic Weekly. November 19, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  46. ^ "Letter from Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien". March 25, 2003. Archived from the original on August 1, 2011.
  47. ^ "Authority, Lies, and War : Democracy and the Development of Just War Theory (in "Theological Studies"; Vol. 67, Issue 2, page 388)" (PDF). June 2006.
  48. ^ Cavanaugh, William T. (May 23, 2003). "At Odds with the Pope: Legitimate Authority & Just Wars". Selected Works of William Cavanaugh - DePaul University.
  49. ^ "The Pope, the President, and How U.S. Catholics Engaged the War Effort" (PDF). Sign of Peace - Journal of the Catholic Peace Fellowship. Vol. 2–2. Catholic Peace Fellowship. Easter 2003. pp. 4–5.
  50. ^ Laffin, Art (December 24, 2004). "Bishops called to speak out against Iraq war". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  51. ^ "Statement of Most Rev. Arthur N. Tafoya, Bishop of Pueblo". February 15, 2003. Archived from the original on August 1, 2011. A preemptive war against Iraq is an unjust war.
  52. ^ Ferrisi, Sabrina Arena (February 1, 2009). "Winning the war on terror". Legatus Magazine. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved April 8, 2019.
  53. ^ Cornell, Tom (November 17, 2008). "The Chaplain's Dilemma: Can pastors in the military serve God and government?". America.
  54. ^ O'Brien, Edwin F. (October 25, 2007). "The Role of Military Chaplains". Catholic Culture.
  55. ^ "Dismissing Priests?". Catholic Review. Archdiocese of Baltimore. December 4, 2010.
  56. ^ Laffin, Art (March 19, 2013). "A call to repentance on the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  57. ^ O'Brien, Edwin (July 30, 2009). "Nuclear Weapons and Moral Questions: The Path to Zero". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  58. ^ "U.S. must quickly move beyond nuclear deterrence, Archbishop O'Brien urges". Catholic News Agency. July 30, 2009.
  59. ^ Glatz, Carol (September 5, 2013). "Cardinal O'Brien says Syria needs urgent prayer". Catholic Herald. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  60. ^ "U.S. Military Action in Syria Could Spark World War, Syrian Bishop Warns". National Catholic Register. August 28, 2013. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2013.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Edwin Frederick O'Brien.
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Academic offices
Preceded by Rector of the Pontifical North American College
1990–1994 		Succeeded by
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
2011 - 2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
William Henry Keeler
 Archbishop of Baltimore
2007–2011 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Archbishop for the Military Services

1997 – 2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
-
 Auxiliary Bishop of New York
1996 – 1997 		Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
Alfonso Nava Carreón
Bishop of Tizica
 Titular Archbishop of Thizica
1996 – 1998 		Succeeded by
Louis Dicaire
Bishop of Thizica
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