| Most Reverend Robert J. Armstrong, D.D. |
|
|---|---|
| Bishop of Sacramento | |
Bishop Robert Armstong in black cassock with amaranth trim, pectoral cross and zuchetto |
|
| Church | Catholic Church |
| See | Sacramento |
| In Office | January 4, 1929—January 14, 1957 |
| Predecessor | Patrick Joseph James Keane |
| Successor | Joseph Thomas McGucken |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 10, 1910 |
| Consecration | March 12, 1929 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 17, 1884 San Francisco, California |
| Died | January 14, 1957 (aged 72) Sacramento, California |
Robert John Armstrong, (November 17, 1884–January 14, 1957) was the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, which encompassed 36 Northern California counties,[1] and its longest serving ordinary.[2] He was a prelate during Great Depression, World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. Armstrong gave the benediction at the inauguaration of Governor Frank Merriam, who was a former "farm boy".[3]
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Robert Armstrong was born in San Francisco, California, and later moved with his family to the state of Washington. He studied at Gonzaga University, graduating in 1904,[4] and the Grand séminaire in Montréal, Quebec, Canada. He was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Seattle on December 10, 1910.[5] He served as a curate in Spokane and was pastor of St. Paul's Church in Yakima, Washington from 1914-1929.[6]
Armstrong would later be transferred to the Diocese of Spokane where he eventually became the assistant pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral.[7] He was "inducted into the order" of the Knights of Columbus and became a chaplain of the order.[7] Armstrong spent 15 years in Yakima and was known as "Father Bob" and "Bishop Bob". [7]
On January 4, 1929 Pope Pius XI named Father Armstrong the fourth bishop of the diocese located in Sacramento, California.[2][8] He was consecrated a bishop on March 12, 1929 by Bishop Edward John O'Dea of Seattle. The co-consecrators were Bishops Mathias Clement Lenihan of Great Falls and Joseph Francis McGrath of Baker City.[9]
During the week of August 2, 1930, Captain Michael Riordan and Armstrong hosted a lay retreat for men from the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Sacramento Valley region at a Jesuit retreat center near Los Altos, California.[10]
On Aug 29, 1932, Armstrong gave a short address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.[11]
On January 8, 1935, Armstrong gave the benediction at the inauguaration of Governor Frank Merriam, who was a "farm boy".[3]
On December 13, 1936, Armstrong travelled to Sacred Heart Church in Gridley, California to establish a men's Holy Name Society.[12] The bishop preached that its purpose was for "each man to labor to labor for the glory of God's name."[12]
On April 8, 1940, Armstrong was the concluding speaker at a three day Catholic Confraternity of Christian Doctrine convention in Portland, Oregon.[13] He postulated that religion "cannot enter our public schools and pupils think it of little importance when it cannot be taught as other subjects."[13]
Armstrong led his ecclesial community through the Great Depression and World War II while becoming known for his casual and approachable manner.[14] He became involved in government and legislative issues that affected Catholics. He institutionalized social work within the see and upgraded its Catholic school system.[15] After these turbulent periods, Sacramento’s population doubled in 20 years. By 1957 there were 209,281 Catholics in the diocese, a 255% increase from 1940.[14] Armstrong established over 28 new parishes.
On April 14, 1942, Armstrong returned to Spokane to celebrate a pontifical requiem Mass for his mother, Margaret Armstrong, who died at age 80.[16] She was a member of the St. Aloysius altar society.[16]
Armstrong's health declined in 1954. On October 26, 1955 Pope Pius XII named Bishop Joseph Thomas McGucken, an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, as Coadjutor Bishop with the right of succession.[17] Armstrong died in January 1957.[1] At his death, the diocese encompassed 36 Northern California counties.[1]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Patrick Joseph James Keane |
Bishop of Sacramento January 4, 1929–January 14, 1957 |
Succeeded by Joseph Thomas McGucken |