Yesterday evening, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua died. He was the shepherd of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 15 years retiring in 2003. He has been described as progressive on some social justice issues, staunchly orthodox on matters of doctrine and deferential to the Holy See.
He was the ninth of eleven children of poor Italian immigrants. His father, Luigi, was a stone cutter and cobbler. He joined the diocesan minor seminary at age 14. He was ordained a priest in 1949. He devoted himself to immigrant causes.
He was ordained a bishop in 1983, and made archbishop of Philadelphia in 1987. He was made a cardinal in 1991.
You can read more about him at this link:
www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20120201_Cardinal_Anthony_Bevilacqua_dies_at_88.html
May he rest in peace.
