OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL
MAYOR
December 10,2014
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Alderman Burke, a congratulatory resolution concerning Cardinal Francis George.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
H resolution
adopted by The Gity Gouncil
o/the Gity of Ghicago, Illinois
ALDERMAN EDWARD M. BURKE
resented by MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL on DECEMBER 10. 2014
BT6GIS . After a long and distinguished vocation, on November 18, 2014, His Eminence Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I., stepped down from his post as Archbishop of Chicago, leaving behind a legacy of nearly two decades of faithful service as the shepherd of one of America's largest archdioceses, serving more than 2.3 million Catholics in Cook and Lake Counties; and
WHEREAS, Born on January 16, 1937 to Francis and Julie George, Cardinal George grew up on the City's North side. After attending Saint Pascal Grade School and Saint Henry Preparatory Seminary, he entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1957; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, Cardinal George was ordained a priest at Saint Pascal Church, in his home parish; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal George earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from the University of Ottawa; a Master of Arts in Philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; a Doctorate of Philosophy in American Philosophy from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana; a Master of Theology from the University of Ottawa in Canada; and a Doctorate of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome; and
WHEREAS, From 1964 through 1973, Cardinal George taught philosophy at various institutions of higher education, including Our Lady of the Snows Seminary, Tulane University, and Creighton University, before serving as the provincial superior of the Midwestern Province for the Missionary Oblates in Saint Paul, Minnesota for one year; and
WHEREAS, In 1974 Cardinal George moved to Rome, Italy to become the vicar general of his religious order, a position he held for 12 years. He then returned to the United States to serve as the coordinator of the Circle of Fellows at the Center for the Study of Faith and Culture in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, On July 10, 1990, Cardinal George was appointed the Bishop of Yakima, Washington, by Pope John Paul II, a position he held for 5 years, before being appointed the Archbishop of Portland, Oregon in 1996; and
WHEREAS, Less than a year later, in 1997, Pope John Paul II appointed Cardinal George as the eighth Archbishop of Chicago to fill the vacancy left by the death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin; and
WHEREAS. On February 21, 1998, at the consistory at the Vatican, Cardinal George was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals with the title of Cardinal-Priest of San Bartolomeo all'lsola; and
WHEREAS, As Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal George published two pastoral letters, penned a bi-monthly column in The Catholic New World magazine, and authored two books: The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion and Culture and God in Action: How Faith in God Can Address the Challenges ofthe World; and
WHEREAS, Known as "a bishop's bishop" for his leadership and ability to find consensus on even controversial issues, Cardinal George shaped the liturgical direction of the Church by serving on a number of organizations, including as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops form 2007 to 2010; a delegate to several meetings of the World Synod of Bishops; a member of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of America; a trustee of the Papal Foundation; and a member of the Board of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability, where he incorporated his childhood struggles with polio, which permanently affected his legs, into his role to better advocate for the disabled; and
WHEREAS, Renowned for his charity and compassion, Cardinal George has worked selflessly to ensure that people of every race, creed, and social and ethnic background enjoy equal rights and opportunities, while continuing to uphold fundamental Catholic principles; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal George has more than surpassed his humble desire to be remembered as "a good bishop," and the people of the City of Chicago owe him a profound debt of gratitude for his tireless efforts to improve the quality of life for all people; now, therefore.
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this tenth day of December, 2014, do hereby commend Cardinal Francis George for his grace-filled life and do hereby wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, in recognition of Cardinal George's unique and invaluable contributions to our City, we bestow upon him Chicago's highest honor, the Medal of Merit; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Cardinal Francis George as a sign of our respect and good wishes.