Saturday, February 28, 2009

James Cardinal Gibbons (1834-1921)

Another American Cardinal: James Gibbons was consecrated a bishop in 1868 with the titular see of Adramyttium. He was bishop of Richmond from 1872 to 1877 and archbishop of Baltimore from 1877 to 1921. He was the second American Cardinal, the first of course being John Cardinal McCloskey. Here are some photographs from the festivities of the golden episcopal jubilee of Cardinal Gibbons, which was celebrated in 1919. The one-year delay is probably due to the first world war.


Cardinal Gibbons


Cardinal Gibbons again. What kind of a sick puppy takes a photo of a cardinal when he is partly covered by one singular tiny tree? "A bit more to the left, your Eminence, one can still see the hem of your cassock."
One more thing: Does the gentleman to the right have the biggest head in the world or is it just me?


Of course there were some illustrious guests: Cardinal O'Connell,...


... archbishop Cerretti, special papal envoy,...


... archbishop Bonzano, the papal nunzio (right)...


... and a cardinal I cant identify. He looks a bit like Joseph MacRory from Ireland, but he only was made a cardinal in 1929. Below are two more photos of what I think is the same cardinal. Maybe you can tell me who it is?


[Updates: Reader Edward id'd the prelate: It is Louis-Nazaire Cardinal Bégin, archbishop of Quebec from 1898 to 1925. Edward also knew that Gibbon's Golden Jubilee was delayed until Feb. 20, 1919 because of the Flu Pandemic of 1918. Thanks, Ed!

Fr. Selvester added that from 1868-1872 Gibbons was Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina. Thanks Father!]

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could the unknown Cardinal be Cardinal Logue of Armagh?

Dan said...

Why does Cardinal Gibbons' biretta have a pompom on it?

Fr. Selvester said...

How come you didn't mention that from 1868-1872 Gibbons was Vicar Apostolic of North Carolina?

leo said...

Cause I wanted you to do it.