James Stafford: Difference between revisions

While in Rome, Stafford was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] to the [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|priesthood]] by Bishop [[Martin John O'Connor|Martin O'Connor]] on December 15, 1957.<ref name=hierarchy/> He was ordained alongside [[Edward Egan]], who would become a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] and [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|Archbishop of New York]].<ref name=egan>{{cite news|work=The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church|title=EGAN, Edward Michael (1932– )|url=http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-e.htm#Egan|last=Miranda|first=Salvador|access-date=August 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215063946/http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-e.htm#Egan|archive-date=February 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> His first assignment, after returning to the United States, was as assistant [[pastor]] at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.immaculateheartofmary.com/ |title=immaculateheartofmary.com |publisher=immaculateheartofmary.com |accessdateaccess-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> in Baltimore, where he remained until 1962.<ref name=vatican/> He then studied at the [[The Catholic University of America|Catholic University of America]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], where he earned a [[Master of Social Work]] degree in 1964 with a thesis on the [[foster care]] of children.<ref name=cardinals/>

From 1964 to 1966, Stafford served as assistant director of the archdiocesan [[Catholic Charities]] and assistant pastor of St. Ann Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anchoredinfaith.com/ |title=anchoredinfaith.com |publisher=anchoredinfaith.com |accessdateaccess-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> in Baltimore.<ref name=vatican/> He was later named director of the Archdiocesan Catholic Charities by Cardinal [[Lawrence Shehan]] in 1966, serving for ten years.<ref name=noel/> In 1970, he was created a [[Monsignor|Chaplain of His Holiness]] by [[Pope Paul VI]].<ref name=cardinals/> He was elected president of the Presbyteral Senate for the archdiocese the following year.<ref name=vatican/> He also helped reorganize the central services of the archdiocese and create its collegial structures.<ref name=archbalt/>

As an auxiliary bishop, he served as [[vicar general]] of the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 1976 to 1981.<ref name=vatican/> From 1978 to 1984, he led the U.S. Catholic Conference Commission on Marriage and Family Life.<ref name=archbalt/> He also served as administrator of Sts. Philip and James Church<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philipandjames.org/ |title=philipandjames.org |publisher=philipandjames.org |accessdateaccess-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> (1980–1981).<ref name=vatican/> He attended the Fifth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in [[Vatican City]] from September to October 1980.<ref name=cardinals/>

In accordance with canon 354 of the Code of Canon Law, Cardinal Stafford submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his 75th birthday in 2007. On June 2, 2009, Pope Benedict appointed as his successor [[Fortunato Baldelli]], who was then [[Apostolic Nuncio to France]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-26068 |title=Cardinal Stafford steps down as Penitentiary Major |publisher=Zenit.org |date=2 June 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=30 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302202454/http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-26068 |archive-date=March 2, 2012 }}</ref>

On March 1, 2008, Cardinal Stafford took the option, after ten years as a Cardinal Deacon, for promotion to the rank of Cardinal-Priest, and was assigned the titular church of ''[[San Pietro in Montorio]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/cardinal/262.htm |title=Cardinal Protector |publisher=GCatholic.org |accessdateaccess-date=30 December 2012}}</ref>

Saying that the United States experienced a "cultural earthquake" when Obama was elected president November 4, 2008, Stafford said the president-elect "appears to be a relaxed, smiling man" with rhetorical skills that are "very highly developed". "But under all that grace and charm, there is a tautness of will, a state of constant alertness, to attack and resist any external influence that might affect his will", he added. The cardinal compared the upcoming years of the Obama administration to "Jesus' agony in the [[Garden of Gethsemane]]".<ref name="stafford">{{cite web|author=Grden, Elizabeth |date=14 November 2008 |title=Cardinal at CUA: Obama is ‘Aggressive, Disruptive and Apocalyptic’ |work=The Tower |url=http://www.cuatower.com/2008/11/14/cardinal-at-cua-obama-is-%E2%80%98aggressive-disruptive-and-apocalyptic%E2%80%99/ |accessdateaccess-date=20 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090503041554/http://www.cuatower.com/2008/11/14/cardinal-at-cua-obama-is-‘aggressive-disruptive-and-apocalyptic’/ |archive-date=May 3, 2009 }}</ref>

The [[Catholic News Agency]] revealed more details about the highly controversial words of the cardinal on November 17, 2008: "If 1968 was the year of America's 'suicide attempt,' 2008 is the year of America's exhaustion," he said, contrasting the year of publication of ''[[Humanae vitae]]'' with this election year. "For the next few years, Gethsemane will not be marginal. We will know that garden," Cardinal Stafford told his audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14355 |title=Cardinal Stafford criticizes Obama as 'aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic' :: Catholic News Agency (CNA) |publisher=Catholic News Agency |date=17 November 2008 |accessdateaccess-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> Catholics who weep the "hot, angry tears of betrayal" should try to identify with Jesus, who during his agony in the garden was "sick because of love". The cardinal also attributed America's decline to Supreme Court decisions such as the 1973 ruling in [[Roe v. Wade]], which imposed "permissive abortion laws nationwide".

* {{cite web| accessdateaccess-date = 14 November 2017| title= Stafford Card. James Francis |publisher= [[Holy See Press Office]] | url= https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_stafford_jf.html | url-status=live | archive-date= 4 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904062425/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_stafford_jf.html }}