SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME Teacher Guide Joseph Cardinal Bernadin
South Carolina Social Studies Standards Joseph Cardinal Bernadin (fits no categories or standards) Topics include - Catholic Priest, Archbishop, Nuclear disarmament, College of Cardinals 2
S.C. Hall of Fame Biography Joseph Cardinal Bernadin Bernardin was born in 1928 in Columbia, South Carolina, where there not many Catholics. He was the son of Italian immigrants, with a younger sister Elaine. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Assembly Street. His father died when he was six. His mother Maria was a seamstress. At first, Joseph wanted to be a medical doctor, but changed his mind and went to Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore and the Catholic University of America In 1952, Bernardin was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Charleston. In 1959, Pope John XXIII named him Papal Chamberlain. In 1966, in Atlanta, he became the youngest Auxiliary Bishop in America. In 1968, he became General Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. This was the time of Vatican II, in which the Catholic Church was attempting a more collaborative, modern approach to worship, leadership, and engagement with the world outside the church. In 1972, Bernardin became Archbishop of Cincinnati, the youngest Archbishop in the country. During this time, he improved relations with Jews and Protestants, visited Poland and Hungary, and became President of the NCCB. Issues he became active in included abortion, nuclear disarmament, anti-poverty efforts, and social justice. He stood firmly against capital punishment and euthanasia, calling all of these quality-of-life issues part of a "seamless garment of life." In 1982, Bernardin was chosen by Pope John Paul II as Archbishop of Chicago, the largest diocese in U.S. In Chicago, he saw parish closings and the church's struggle with modernity and progressivism, but he used his skills of compromise to reconcile Catholics to one another and define the role of women in the church. One of his greatest honors was his elevation by John Paul II in 1983 to the Sacred College of Cardinals. Bernardin sought common ground on divisive issues with other faiths. He attended the World 3
Parliament of Religions in 1993. He visited Jerusalem and met Palestinian Yasser Arafat. In 1995, Cardinal Bernardin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and he became the "unofficial chaplain for cancer patients" in Chicago. He faced death with dignity, and, in a sense, taught people how to die. He passed away in 1996. Bernardin was given the Medal of Freedom by President Clinton. The Loyola Cancer Center was renamed for him. "Bernardin Way" is a street in Columbia near Providence Hospital named for him. 4
Timeline Joseph Cardinal Bernadin Beginnings Early career Born 1928 in Columbia SC, not many Catholics in Columbia, son of Italian immigrants Sister Elaine Baptized, confirmed at St. Peter s Father died when he was six Mother Maria a seamstress Wanted to be medical doctor at first Saint Mary Seminary in Baltimore Catholic University of America 1952 Ordained priest of Diocese of Charleston (whole state of SC) 1959 (1963?) John XXIII named him Papal Chamberlain with title Very Reverend Monsignor 1966 Atlanta, youngest Auxiliary Bishop in America 1968 Washington, General Secretary of National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) Vatican II, changing church A more collaborative, modern approach to Catholic worship, leadership, and engagement with the world outside the church Bishops Council 1972 Archbishop of Cincinnati Youngest Archbishop in US Improved relations with Jews and Protestants Visited Poland (1976) and Hungary President of NCCB Turning point in spiritual life Prayer at 5:30 AM Social issues, activism Abortion, Roe v. Wade 5
1982-3 Immorality of nuclear weapons, Cold War The Challenge of Peace: God s Promise and Our Response God and the Bomb (Time) Too much spent on military Late 60 s unrest Campaign for Human Development Anti-Poverty efforts Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Award for Social Justice and Anti-Poverty Social justice, compact with poor Health care, nutrition, housing, clothing 1984 Economic Justice for All flaws in US economy US foreign policy 1987 AIDS, condom use Capital punishment Euthanasia 1982 Archbishop of Chicago, largest diocese in US Chosen by John Paul II Electricity 1990 Parish closings Church s struggle with modernity, progressive Skills of compromise Catholic Common Ground Initiative, reconciliation project Liturgy; Role of women in church Building a bridge to disaffected Catholics Other bishops not on board with this 1983 Elevated by John Paul II to Sacred College of Cardinals (tenth living Cardinal) 1993 Sexual misconduct allegation Model policy for dealing with priests accused of sexual misconduct with minors bring in civilian authorities, not just clerical Sexual misconduct allegation First comment good Press conference I have led a chaste and celibate life. Vindicated! Interfaith initiatives I am your brother Joseph. Common ground on divisive issues with other faiths 1993 World Parliament of Religions 6
Death 1995 Trip to Jerusalem, relationship with Jews Hebrew University 1995 Meets with Palestinian Yasser Arafat 1995 Cancer Unofficial chaplain for cancer patients Gift of Peace written about end of life Death is my friend. Death with dignity, teach people how to die, dying is last chapter No euthanasia! Legacy Clinton gives Medal of Freedom (other bishops criticized him because of Clinton s stand on abortion) Seamless garment of life address at Georgetown University All life is precious Consistent ethic of life Sacredness of human life in all issues (poverty, abortion, nuclear weapons, etc.) Loyola Cancer Center renamed for him 1996 Died I saw his light (-John H. White) Cardinal was very special Prince of the church Extremely graceful person facing adversity and facing death Consistency Quiet manner and ability to fashion consensus A man of God and a man of the people He was a bridge builder. Bernardin Way, street near Providence Hospital Sainthood? 7
Credits South Carolina Social Studies Standard Correlations were provided by Lisa Ray The purpose of the South Carolina Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor both contemporary and past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to South Carolina's heritage and progress. Funding for Knowitall.org was provided by the S. C. General Assembly through the K-12 Technology Initiative. Visit scetv.org/education for more educational resources. 8