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| province =
| province =
| diocese =
| diocese =
| archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Archdiocese of Washington]]
| archdiocese = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Washington]]
| appointed = April 4, 2019
| appointed = April 4, 2019
| enthroned = May 21, 2019
| enthroned = May 21, 2019

Revision as of 18:29, 21 May 2019

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Wilton Daniel Gregory
Archbishop of Washington[1]
File:Daniel Gregory.jpg
ArchdioceseWashington
AppointedApril 4, 2019
InstalledMay 21, 2019
PredecessorDonald William Wuerl
Orders
OrdinationMay 9, 1973
by John Cody
ConsecrationDecember 13, 1983
by Joseph Bernardin, Alfred Leo Abramowicz, and Nevin William Hayes
Personal details
Born (1947-12-07) December 7, 1947 (age 76)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Nationality American
DenominationRoman Catholic
ResidenceWashington, D.C.
ParentsWilton, Sr.; Ethel
OccupationArchbishop, Clergyman
Previous post(s)
Alma mater
MottoWe are the Lord's
Styles of
Wilton Daniel Gregory
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop

Wilton Daniel Gregory (born December 7, 1947) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been the Archbishop of Washington since May 21, 2019.[2] He was the Archbishop of Atlanta from 2004 to 2019, Bishop of Belleville, Illinois, from 1994 to 2004, and Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago from 1983 to 1994. He was president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 2001 to 2004.

Biography

Early life and education

Wilton Gregory was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Wilton and Ethel (née Duncan) Gregory.[3] One of three children, he has two sisters: Elaine and Claudia.[4] Gregory's parents divorced when he was quite young, and his grandmother, Etta Mae Duncan, subsequently moved in with the family at their home on the South Side.[5] In 1958, he was enrolled at St. Carthage Grammar School, where he decided to become a priest before even converting to Catholicism.[4] He was baptized and received his First Communion in 1959, and was confirmed by Bishop Raymond P. Hillinger later that year.[4]

Gregory graduated from St. Carthage in 1961, and then attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South and Niles College in Chicago, and St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein.[3] After ordination he completed a doctorate in liturgy (SLD) at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome.

Ordination and ministry

At the age of 25, he was ordained to the priesthood by John Cardinal Cody on May 9, 1973.[6] He engaged in advanced studies at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome and earned the Doctor of Sacred Liturgy degree.

Gregory performed pastoral work in Glenview at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and at Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge, Illinois.[7] He also taught at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary and served as a Master of Ceremonies under Cardinals Cody and Bernardin.

Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

On October 31, 1983, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago and Titular Bishop of Oliva.[citation needed] Gregory received his episcopal consecration on the following December 13 from Cardinal Bernardin, with Bishops Alfred Abramowicz and Nevin Hayes, O.Carm., serving as co-consecrators.

Bishop of Belleville

Gregory remained in Chicago until December 29, 1993, when he was appointed the seventh Bishop of Belleville;[citation needed] he was installed on February 10, 1994.

From 2001 to 2004, Gregory served as the President of the USCCB, the first African-American to head an episcopal conference,[8] as Vice President from 1998 to 2001[9] and also Chairman of several committees. During his presidency, the American bishops issued the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People" in response to Roman Catholic sex abuse cases. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees at The Catholic University of America. In 2002, in recognition of his handling of the sex abuse scandal with repeated apologies and the defrocking of priests, he was chosen as Time's Person of the Week.[10]

Archbishop of Atlanta

Pope John Paul II, in one of his last episcopal appointments before his death, named Bishop Gregory the seventh Archbishop of Atlanta on December 9, 2004, [citation needed] and his installation took place on January 17, 2005.

Gregory has been active in the Roman Catholic Church in advocating for the prevention of child sexual abuse by Roman Catholic religious, and for implementing policies to protect the faithful from sexual abuse by Roman Catholic religious.[5] He has been one of the leading bishops in the United States regarding this endeavor.[5]

Gregory writes a bi-weekly column for the Roman Catholic newspaper of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, The Georgia Bulletin titled "What I have seen and heard".[11] In it, he regularly shares reflections about his faith, work, and experiences.[11]

Gregory was complimentary of Pope Francis's 2016 apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia. At a 2017 conference at Boston College, he described it as "a document that recognizes the real and serious problems and challenges facing families today, but at the same time it is a proclamation of hope through the mercy and grace of God." Gregory spoke of Pope Francis as someone who "challenges the church and its pastors to move beyond thinking that everything is black and white, so that we sometimes close off the way of grace and growth."[12]

In 2018, a group of Catholics started a petition urging Gregory to remove "pro-LGBT" Monsignor Henry Gracz of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Atlanta from his position as a spiritual advisor to victims of sexual abuse for allegedly going against Church teaching. Gregory refused, saying that "there are [were] no plans" to remove Gracz from his advisory role. He added, "Msgr. Gracz is following the admonition of Pope Francis to accompany people on the periphery of society. His priestly heart is not closed to those who find themselves misunderstood or rejected."[13]

Archbishop of Washington

On April 4, 2019, Pope Francis named Gregory Archbishop of Washington.[1] His installation is scheduled for May 21, 2019.[14]

Residence controversy

In 2014, Wilton was widely criticized after the Archdiocese used $2.2 million from a bequest to build a new archbishop's residence on property donated to the church that would also serve as a banquet and conference facility.[15][a] On March 13, Gregory apologized to members of the Atlanta archdiocese:[15][20]

I failed to consider the impact on the families throughout the Archdiocese who, though struggling to pay their mortgages, utilities, tuition and other bills, faithfully respond year after year to my pleas to assist with funding our ministries and services. I failed to consider the example I was setting...To all of you, I apologize sincerely and from my heart.... It is my intention to move deliberately forward and to do a better job of listening than I did before.... If it is the will of these trusted representative groups, the Archdiocese will begin the process of selling the Habersham residence. I would look to purchase or rent something appropriate elsewhere.... I would never jeopardize the cherished and personal relationships I have built with so many of you over something that personally means so little after all.

In April 2014, Gregory announced he was planning to sell the house, though he had moved into it only three months earlier.[21]

Opposition to Safe Carry Protection Act

In 2014, Gregory announced his opposition to the passage of House Bill (H.B.) 60, the Safe Carry Protection Act, also known as the "Guns Everywhere" Law.[22][23] Gregory stated that guns will not be allowed in Roman Catholic churches in Georgia, but for those military and civil service personnel who are required to have them.[22][24] He stated that carrying guns in churches places vulnerable individuals, such as children, those who are disabled, and the elderly, at risk.[22][24] Gregory is further against the new law because it is against Jesus' teachings of peace.[22][24]

Gregory wrote:

And before this legislation takes effect in July, I will officially restrict the presence of weapons in our Catholic institutions except for those carried by the people that civic authorities have designated and trained to protect and guard us - and those who are duly authorized law and military officials. The last thing we need is more firearms in public places, especially in those frequented by children and the vulnerable...Rather than make guns more available as a solution, we need leaders in government and society who will speak against violence in all aspects of life and who teach ways of reconciliation and peace and who make justice, not vengeance, our goal.[22][25]

The Safe Carry Protection Act took effect on July 1, 2014. It permits licensed gun owners to carry guns into many public and private places, including churches, school property, bars, nightclubs, libraries, and some government buildings in Georgia.[23][24][26][27][28] The law was supported by the Georgia Baptist Convention which includes 3,600 Baptist churches in Georgia,[24] but is not supported by Catholic or Episcopalian church leaders.[24][29]

Honors

Gregory has been awarded Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Xavier University in Cincinnati, and McKendree University in Lebanon; Honorary Doctorates in Humanities from Lewis University in Romeoville and Saint Louis University in St. Louis; and an Honorary Doctorate in Theology from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.[citation needed] Gregory was also awarded an honorary degree from Boston College in 2018.[30]

Notes

  1. ^ The Atlanta Archdiocese had received a $15 million bequest[16] from the estate of Joseph Mitchell, a nephew of Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell.[17][18][19]

References

  1. ^ a b "Resignations and Appointments, 04.04.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  2. ^ https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/04/04/pope-taps-gregory-to-succeed-wuerl-in-washington-d-c/
  3. ^ a b "The Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
  4. ^ a b c Castranio, Mary Anne (December 16, 2004). "New Archbishop Will 'Come To Know The People'". The Georgia Bulletin.
  5. ^ a b c Bennett Kinnon, Joy (December 1, 2002). "Bishop Gregory: Powerful Black Bishop Helps Catholic Church Confront Sexual Abuse Problems and a New World". Ebony.
  6. ^ "Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  7. ^ http://www.mswparish.org/about-us/128-parish-history.html
  8. ^ "Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory, SLD : African American Catholic Bishops". web.archive.org. August 8, 2003.
  9. ^ "Most Reverend Wilton D. Gregory".
  10. ^ Reaves, Jessica, "Person of the Week: Bishop Wilton Gregory", Time, April 25, 2002.
  11. ^ a b "What I Have Seen and Heard", column home page, The Georgia Bulletin.
  12. ^ O'Loughlin, Michael J. (October 6, 2017). "Listen to families on 'Amoris Laetitia,' bishops and theologians say". America Magazine. Retrieved March 29, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Poole, Shelia M.; Branch, Ben (September 4, 2018). "Catholic petitioners take offense to Atlanta pro-LGBTQ pastor's role". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved March 29, 2019. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "Pope Francis Names Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory as New Archbishop of Washington". Archdiocese of Washington. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Gregory, W.D. (March 31, 2014), "Commentary: The archbishop responds", The Georgia Bulletin, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, retrieved May 26, 2014
  16. ^ "Distribution of $15 million Joseph Mitchell bequest", The Georgia Bulletin, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, April 3, 2014, retrieved May 26, 2014
  17. ^ Margaret Mitchell heir leaves estate to Archdiocese of Atlanta, Archdiocese of Atlanta, Smyrna, GA: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, August 16, 2012, Chivers, P., Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  18. ^ Mitchell heir leaves millions, literary rights to Atlanta Archdiocese, Catholic News Service, Washington, DC: Catholic News Service, August 17, 2012, Keiser, G., Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  19. ^ Margaret Mitchell's nephew leaves estate to Atlanta Archdiocese, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta, GA: The Atlanta Journal Constitution, August 16, 2012, Poole, S., Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  20. ^ "Atlanta archbishop apologizes over $2.2M mansion". USA Today. April 1, 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  21. ^ Associated Press (April 5, 2014). "Archbishop Says He Plans to Sell $2 Million Home". New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
  22. ^ a b c d e Commentary: Decrying the state's new gun law, The Georgia Bulletin, Smyrna, GA: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, April 30, 2014, Retrieved May 26, 2014.
  23. ^ a b Georgia law allows guns in some schools, bars, churches, CNN.com, Atlanta, GA: Cable News Network/Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., April 23, 2014, Sayers, D.M. & McLaughlin, E.C., Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  24. ^ a b c d e f Georgia’s sweeping gun law sparks religious backlash, Time.com, May 5, 2014, Sanburn, J., Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  25. ^ Gregory, Wilton D. (May 1, 2014). Viewpoints: What I have seen and heard: Decrying the state's new gun law. The Georgia Bulletin. Smyrna, GA: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.
  26. ^ House Bill 60, Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Georgia House of Representatives, Atlanta, GA, 2014, Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  27. ^ Ga. governor signs 'guns everywhere' into law, USA Today, New York, NY: Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc., April 23, 2014, Copeland, L. & Richards, D., Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  28. ^ Georgia governor signs 'unprecedented' gun rights bill, The Huffington Post.com, The Huffington Post.com, LLC, April 23, 2014, Lavender, P., Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  29. ^ Catholic archbishop: No guns in my churches, Newsmax.com, West Palm Beach, FL: Newsmax Media, Inc., April 30, 2014, Burke, C., Retrieved May 25, 2014.
  30. ^ Sippell, Margeaux (May 21, 2018). "Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory urges BC graduates to heed power of words". Boston Globe. Retrieved February 24, 2019.

External links

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Archbishop of Atlanta
2005–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
2001–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Belleville
1994–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
–
 Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago
1983–1993 		Succeeded by
–
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