John Cardinal Cody

John Patrick Cody, later John Cardinal Cody, (December 24, 1907–April 25, 1982) was the eleventh bishop (sixth archbishop) of the Roman Catholic diocese of Chicago, serving from 1965 to 1982 (succeeded Albert Cardinal Meyer).

Related Topics:
December 24 - 1907 - April 25 - 1982 - Roman Catholic - Chicago - 1965 - Albert Cardinal Meyer

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He was born on December 24, 1907 in Saint Louis, Missouri to a family of Irish ancestry, and ordained a priest on December 8, 1931. On May 14, 1947 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri where he was ordained a bishop on July 2, 1947. He was appointed Coadjutor to the Bishop of Saint Joseph, Missouri on January 27, 1954. He was appointed Bishop of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, Missouri on August 29, 1956 and installed October 11, 1956. He was appointed Coadjutor to the Archbishop of New Orleans, Louisiana on August 14, 1961, appointed Apostolic Administrator on June 1, 1962 and acceded to the See of New Orleans on November 8, 1964.

Related Topics:
December 24 - 1907 - Saint Louis, Missouri - Irish - December 8 - 1931 - May 14 - 1947 - July 2 - Saint Joseph, Missouri - January 27 - 1954 - Kansas City-Saint Joseph, Missouri - August 29 - 1956 - October 11 - New Orleans, Louisiana - August 14 - 1961 - June 1 - 1962 - November 8 - 1964

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Cody was appointed Archbishop of Chicago, on June 16, 1965 and installed August 24, 1965. He was elevated to Cardinal on June 26, 1967. Cody's time in Chicago was marked by strife and controversy. Cody found his traditonal view of episcopal authority often in conflict with a number of priests of his diocese, and some of his actions and decisions were questioned by members of the clergy and laity alike -- many of whom found themselves writing to the Vatican to express their concerns over the cardinal's administration. Cardinal Cody's position was further aggravated by aggressive investigative reporting by Chicago daily newspapers which added sensationalist details to the already-rife rumor mill. These reports as well as his public statements and actions caused much concern by Vatican officials, including, presumably, both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paull II.

Related Topics:
June 16 - 1965 - August 24 - Cardinal - June 26 - 1967

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The controversies were somewhat abetted as the Cardinal's health declined in the earlier 1980's, and a number of his former adversaries came to the beleaguered Cardinal's defense in his last years. Cardinal Cody died from a heart attack at the age of 74, and was subsequently interred in the Bishops’ Mausoleum at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois. Cardinal Cody was succeded by Archbishop Joseph Cardinal Bernardin in the summer of 1982, whose first task was to ameliorate the tense relationship between the clergy and laity with the bishop's authority. As he demonstrated so well, Archbishop (later Cardinal) Bernardin proved himself to be the healing presence the Archdiocese of Chicago so badly needed at the time.

Related Topics:
Hillside, Illinois - Joseph Cardinal Bernardin

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