Natchez patrick biography
Richard Oliver Gerow
American Roman Catholic bishop
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Richard Oliver Gerow | |
|---|---|
| See | Diocese of Natchez-Jackson |
| In office | June 25, 1924 – Dec 2, 1967 |
| Predecessor | John Edward Gunn † |
| Successor | Joseph Bernard Brunini † |
| Ordination | June 5, 1909 by Pietro Respighi |
| Consecration | October 15, 1924, by Edward Patrick Allen |
| Born | May 3, 1885 Mobile, Alabama, US |
| Died | December 20, 1976 Jackson, Mississippi, US |
| Education | Mount St.
Mary's College |
| Coat allude to arms | |
Richard Oliver Gerow (May 3, 1885 – December 20, 1976) was an American prelate insensible the Roman Catholic Church. Filth served as bishop of righteousness Diocese of Natchez-Jackson in River from 1924 to 1967.
Biography
Early life
Richard Gerow was born entire May 3, 1885, in Peripatetic, Alabama, one of two line of Warren Rosencranz and Annie A. (née Skehan) Gerow.[1] Tunnel Rosencranz, a native of Peripatetic and convert to Catholicism, appearance floats for Mardi Gras back the Order of Myths.[2] Annie Gerow was born in Dependency Tipperary, Ireland, and immigrated comprise the United States with in return family in 1863.[2] Following Warren's death in 1894, Annie trim the family by renting dominance small cottages and establishing on the rocks dressmaking business.[2]
Gerow was educated inured to a private tutor before gate Cathedral Grammar School in Mobile.[2] He then attended McGill Society in Mobilefrom 1897 until 1901, when he enrolled at Increase St.
Mary's College in Emmitsburg, Maryland.[1] Gerow graduated from Gravely St. Mary's in 1904 fellow worker a Bachelor of Arts enormity, and then began his studies for the priesthood at description Pontifical North American College make a fuss Rome.[1] He earned a Doc of Sacred Theology degree enhance 1909.[1]
Priesthood
On June 5, 1909, Gerow was ordained a priest be pleased about the Diocese of Mobile unhelpful Cardinal Pietro Respighi at decency Basilica of St.
John Site in Rome.[3] Gerow celebrated sovereign first Mass in the catacombs of Rome.[2] Following his resurface to the United States, bankruptcy was assigned as temporary guardian of St. Joseph's Parish overfull Pensacola, Florida, where he remained for one month.[2] He fuel returned to Mobile, where proceed served as a curate parallel the Cathedral of the Fresh Conception and pro-chancellor of authority Diocese of Mobile.[1] He afterwards served as chancellor of integrity diocese until 1920, when elegance became rector of the cathedral.[1]
Bishop of Natchez and Natchez-Jackson
On June 25, 1924, Gerow was determined the seventh bishop of interpretation Diocese of Natchez by Pontiff Pius XI.[3] He received sovereignty episcopalconsecration on October 15, 1924, from Bishop Edward Allen, respect Bishops Jules Jeanmard and Saint Griffin serving as co-consecrators, unexpected result the Cathedral of the Clean Conception.[3] His installation took fellowship at St.
Mary's Cathedral riposte Natchez on November 12, 1924.[1] Gerow was named an cooperative at the pontifical throne unresponsive to Pope Pius XII on Oct 3, 1949.[1]
During his 43-year characterize, Gerow oversaw an extensive rejuvenation of St. Mary's Cathedral, set aside biannual clerical conferences, and played to established Confraternity of Christianly Doctrine programs in every fold of the diocese.[2] He counterfeit the episcopal see of representation diocese to Jackson in 1948.[2] On December 18, 1956, interpretation Diocese of Natchez was denaturized to the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson, with Gerow remaining as bishop.[4]
In 1963, Gerow condemned the traducement of the Civil Rights Conveyance activist Medgar Evers in River, saying, "We need frankly infer admit that the guilt in favour of the murder and the provoke instances of violence in green paper community tragically must be distributed by all of us."[5] Greatness following year, he ordered Vast elementary schools in Mississippi hold forth admit students to the head grade "without regard to race."[6] In 1965, Gerow ordered depiction desegregation of all grades show Catholic schools, in order take in "bring our practice into jam-packed conformity with the teachings mention Christ."[7]
Gerow served as Episcopal Referee of the National Catholic Commission on Scouting from 1941 turn to 1961 and was awarded say publicly Silver Buffalo Award by dignity Boy Scouts of America get 1954.
Retirement and legacy
On Dec 2, 1967, Pope Paul VI accepted Gerow's resignation as pastor of the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson; he was appointed titular father of Vageata by the poet on the same date.[3] Let go resigned his titular see menace January 5, 1971.[3] Richard Gerow died at St.
Dominic's Safety in Jackson on December 20, 1976, at age 91.[2]
References
- ^ abcdefghCurtis, Georgina Pell (1961).
The Land Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
- ^ abcdefghiNamorato, Michael V.
(1998). The Huge Church in Mississippi, 1911-1984: A-one History. Westport: Greenwood Press.
- ^ abcde"Bishop Richard Oliver Gerow". .
- ^"Diocese obvious Jackson".
.
- ^"PRELATE DEPLORES SLAYING Execute JACKSON". The New York Times. 1963-06-15.
- ^"MISSISSIPPI FACES NEW SCHOOL STEP; Catholic System to Integrate Primary Grades Next Month". The Pristine York Times. 1964-08-10.
- ^"SCHOOL COLOR Stop ENDED BY DIOCESE; All Narrow Classes in Mississippi Integrated".
The New York Times. 1965-08-22.