Jump to content

John Ward (auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John James Ward
Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
Titular Bishop of Bria
Titular Bishop of California
ChurchCatholic
ArchdioceseLos Angeles
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Bria
Orders
OrdinationMay 4, 1946
by John Joseph Cantwell
ConsecrationDecember 12, 1963
by James Francis McIntyre
Personal details
Born(1920-09-28)September 28, 1920
DiedJanuary 10, 2011(2011-01-10) (aged 90)
Culver City, California, US
Alma materSt. John's Seminary
The Catholic University of America
MottoSub cruce salus
(Salvation under the cross)
Styles of
John J. Ward
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleMonsignor
Posthumous stylenot applicable

John James Ward (September 28, 1920 – January 10, 2011) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California from 1963 to 1996. Prior to his death, he was just one of three American bishops still living to have participated in the Second Vatican Council.[1]

Biography

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

One of two sons, Ward was born in Los Angeles, California on September 28, 1920, to Irish immigrants Hugh and Mary (McHugh) Ward.[2] He entered St. John's Seminary in 1940.

Priesthood

[edit]

Ward was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana in Los Angeles by Archbishop John Cantwell on May 4, 1946.[2] From 1949 to 1952, he studied at The Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in Washington, D.C., where he earned a licentiate in canon law.

Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles

[edit]

On October 16, 1963, Ward was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and titular bishop of Bria by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on December 12, 1963, from Cardinal James McIntyre at St. Vibiana Cathedral, with Archbishop Joseph McGucken and Bishop Alden Bell serving as co-consecrators.[2]

Attending the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1964 to 1965, he later became vicar general of the archdiocese in 1970 and episcopal vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region in 1986. In addition to his duties as bishop, he was pastor of St. Timothy's Church.[3]

Retirement and death

[edit]

Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Ward resigned from his post as an auxiliary bishop on May 7, 1996. He was named titular bishop of California on June 15, 1996. Ward died of natural causes on January 10, 2011, at age 90.[3][2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "In LA, "A Great Era Has Ended"". Whispers in the Loggia. January 10, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "Bishop John James Ward [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
  3. ^ a b Landsberg, Mitchell; Times, Los Angeles (2011-01-11). "John J. Ward dies at 90; L.A. bishop participated in Second Vatican Council". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
[edit]