Romeo Roy Blanchette
Maxita | |
---|---|
See | Diocese of Joliet in Illinois |
Predecessor | Martin Dewey McNamara |
Successor | Joseph Leopold Imesch |
Orders | |
Ordination | April 3, 1937 by George Mundelein |
Consecration | April 3, 1965 by Egidio Vagnozzi |
Personal details | |
Born | |
Died | January 10, 1982 Joliet, Illinois, US | (aged 69)
Education | St. Mary of the Lake Seminary Pontifical Gregorian University |
Motto | Kyrie Eleison (O Lord, have mercy) |
Romeo Roy Blanchette (January 6, 1913 – January 10, 1982) was an American prelate of the
Biography
Early life
Romeo Blanchette was born on January 6, 1913, in Kankakee County, Illinois, to Oscar and Josephine (née Langlois) Blanchette.[1] After attending Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago from 1928 to 1931, he studied at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1934.[1]
Priesthood
Blanchette was
Auxiliary Bishop and Bishop of Joliet
On February 8, 1965, Blanchette was appointed as an
Following the death of Bishop McNamara, Blanchette was named by Pope Paul as the second bishop of Joliet on July 19, 1966.[2][3]
Retirement and legacy
On January 30, 1979, Pope John Paul II accepted Blanchette's resignation as Bishop of Joliet after he was diagnosed with
In a 2015 lawsuit brought against the diocese by sexual abuse victims, it was revealed that Blanchette ignored warnings about the behavior of certain seminarians. The diocese settled with the victims for over $4 million.
- He allowed the ordination of Lawrence Gibbs in 1973, despite complaints about his behavior from administrators at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary. Gibbs eventually molested 14 boys.
- Blanchette allowed James Nowak to be ordained, despite knowing that the Capuchin Order had dismissed him due to his failure to keep his vow of chastity. Nowak eventually abused eight children.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop Romeo Roy Blanchette". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- ^ "Catholic Bishop of Joliet, III., And Pittsburgh Aide Named". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
- ^ a b "Bishop Romeo Blanchette". Bishop Romeo Blanchette Assembly 3044.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-07.
- ^ "Joliet Diocese Settles Victims' Abuse Claims Against 'Savage, Scary' Priests for Over $4M". Plainfield, IL Patch. 2015-04-15. Retrieved 2022-06-07.