A former faculty member and chair of the Department of Philosophy at Creighton, Cardinal Francis George, OMI, HON’01, archbishop emeritus of Chicago, 78, was eulogized as an insightful and courageous Church leader upon his passing on April 17. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2006.
Cardinal George came to Creighton in 1969 as an instructor in philosophy and left in 1973 as chair of the department.
Eileen Burke-Sullivan, STD, vice provost for Mission and Ministry, said he was well-respected as a scholar and teacher by both students and faculty, and he stayed in touch with fellow faculty members for the remaining years of his life and ministry. Cardinal George returned to Creighton last summer for the 25th anniversary of the Institute for Priestly Formation.
“His obvious affection for Creighton and its Catholic, Jesuit values was evident in his public comments,” Burke-Sullivan said.
He served as bishop of Yakima, Wash., and archbishop of Portland, Ore., before being appointed archbishop of Chicago by Pope John Paul II in 1997 following the death of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin; he was the first native Chicagoan to hold the position. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 1998.
Cardinal George held a prominent position among U.S. bishops, serving as the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2007 to 2010.
In addition to a Ph.D., Cardinal George held a Doctorate in Sacred Theology as well as honorary degrees, including a Doctor of Laws from Creighton in 2001. He authored two books and spoke several languages. He entered the Congregation of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1957 and was ordained in 1963.
