Bernard Griffin
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| Styles of Bernard Cardinal Griffin |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Westminster |
Bernard William Cardinal Griffin (February 21, 1899—August 19, 1956) was an English prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Westminster from 1943 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1946 by Pope Pius XII.
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[edit] Biography
Born in Birmingham to William and Helen (née Swadkins) Griffin, Bernard Griffin attended Cotton College in Staffordshire and Oscott College in Birmingham, and served as an air-raid warden in the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I[1]. Ordained to the priesthood on November 1, 1924, he finished his stuides at the Venerable English College in Rome in 1927. Griffin then worked as private secretary to Archbishop John McIntyre of Birmingham until 1937. From 1929 to 1938, he served as diocesan chancellor of Birmingham, director of studies of the Catholic Evidence Guild, Catholic representative on the BBC's religious advisory committee, and administrator of diocesan charitable homes.
On May 26, 1938, Griffin was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and Titular Bishop of Appia. He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 30 from Archbishop Thomas Williams, with Bishops John Barrett and William Lee serving as co-consecrators, in St. Chad Cathedral. Pope Pius XII raised Griffin to Archbishop of Westminster, and thus ranking prelate in the Catholic Church in England and Wales, on December 18, 1943. At his installation Mass in Westminster Cathedral, he defended the sanctity of marriage[2].
Griffin was created Cardinal Priest of Ss. Andrea e Gregorio al Monte Celio by Pius XII in the consistory of February 18, 1946. At age 46, he was the youngest cardinal to be appointed at the ceremony, to which he wore the tailored cappa magna of his predecessor in Westminster, the late Arthur Cardinal Hinsley[3]. He acted as papal legate to the centennial celebration of the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in England in 1950.
Griffin died from a heart attack in New Polzeath, at age 57[4]. He is buried at Westminster Cathedral.
[edit] Trivia
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- Griffin had a twin brother[5], and his father William was a carpenter turned city councillor and justice of the peace[6].
- Once a street preacher, Griffin was seen as being a liberal in areas of social principles, and also supported Sir William Beveridge[7].
- He suffered a heart attack during his time in the Royal Naval Air Service but concealed it from doctors in order to avoid a discharge which he feared would prevent his acceptance for the priesthood[8].
- Griffin also upheld the perpetual virginity of Mary[9], and was once a president on The Council of Christians and Jews[10]
- Cardinal Griffin Catholic High School in Cannock, Staffordshire is named after him.
[edit] References
- ^ TIME Magazine. Surprise January 3, 1944
- ^ TIME Magazine. Pretty Pass February 18, 1946
- ^ TIME Magazine. On the Roads to Rome January 31, 1944
- ^ TIME Magazine. Milestones September 3, 1956
- ^ Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church. GRIFFIN, Bernard William (1899-1956)
- ^ TIME Magazine. Surprise January 3, 1944
- ^ Ibid.
- ^ TIME Magazine. New Archbishop February 18, 1957
- ^ TIME Magazine. Jesus & His Brethren May 23, 1955
- ^ TIME Magazine. The Catholics Leave January 10, 1955
[edit] External links
| Religious titles | ||
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| Preceded by Arthur Hinsley |
Archbishop of Westminster 1943–1956 |
Succeeded by William Godfrey |
