Joseph Cardinal Ritter

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Joseph Elmer Ritter, (July 20, 1892-June 10, 1967), was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis from 1946 until his death on June 10, 1967.

He was born in New Albany, Indiana, and studied at St. Meinrad's Seminary before being ordained to the priesthood in 1917. He then took on pastoral duites, finally as rector of the unfinished Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was consecrated as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis in 1933, succeeding Bishop Chartrand the next year. He reorganized the local Catholic Charities organization, introduced the Catholic Youth Organization, and completed the construction of the cathedral. In 1944, he became an archbishop when the diocese was elevated to an archdiocese.

In 1946, he was named as the new Archbishop of Saint Louis, succeeding John Cardinal Glennon. Although he did not have anything like Glennon's flair for oratory, he was very good at administration and addressed some issue his predecessor had not. Key among these was racial integration. In 1947, he announced that all segregation in St. Louis would end before the beginning of the fall term that year. Some Catholics were considering bringing charges against Ritter, on the basis that state segregation laws would apply to parochial schools. When Ritter pointed out to them that church law clearly stated that anyone who brought charges against a bishop in a secular court for actions done by the bishop as a bishop was automatically excommunicated, the threat of lawsuits disappeared.

He also was one of the first bishops to create a diocesan mission, specifically in La Paz, Bolivia. Until that time, most missions had been conducted by religious orders. The people of St. Louis regularly contributed more money to these foreign missions than any archdiocese of its size.

He was elevated to Cardinal Priest of SS. Redentore e S. Alfonso in Via Merulana in the consistory of 1961. Ritter actively participated in the proceedings of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (1963-1965). On his return to St. Louis, many Catholics expected him to make several changes to the existing administrative structure to give priests and laity a greater role in Church governance, as recommended by the Council. Sadly, Ritter died before he could institute such changes.

Preceded by Bishop Joseph Chartrand	Archbishop of Indianapolis 1934–1946	Succeeded by Paul Clarence Schulte
Preceded by John Cardinal Glennon	Archbishop of Saint Louis 1946–1967	Succeeded by John Cardinal Carberry