1. Terence James Cooke was an American Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of New York from 1968 until his death, quietly battling leukemia throughout his tenure.
30 Facts About Terence Cooke
1. 2.
The youngest of three children, Terence Cooke was born in New York City to Michael and Margaret Cooke.
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Terence Cooke was ordained a priest by Archbishop Francis Spellman on December 1,1945.
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Terence Cooke then served as chaplain for St Agatha's Home for Children in Nanuet, New York, until 1947, when he moved to Washington, DC, to pursue graduate studies at The Catholic University of America.
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Terence Cooke obtained a Master of Social Work degree in 1949.
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When he returned to New York, Terence Cooke was assigned to serve as a curate at St Athanasius Parish in the Bronx, while working with the Catholic Youth Organization.
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Terence Cooke was named a monsignor on August 13,1957, and vice-chancellor for the archdiocese in 1958, rising to full chancellor in 1961.
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Terence Cooke received his episcopal consecration on December 13,1965, from Cardinal Spellman at St Patrick's Cathedral, with Archbishops Joseph McGucken and John Maguire serving as co-consecrators.
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Terence Cooke selected as his episcopal motto: Fiat Voluntas Tua, meaning, "Thy Will Be Done" from Luke 1:38.
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Terence Cooke played a prominent role in arranging Pope Paul's visit to New York in October 1965, and became Vicar General of the Archdiocese two days after his consecration, on December 15,1965.
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Terence Cooke was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia, a form of cancer, that year as well.
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Pope Paul's selection of Cooke came as a surprise; likely contenders for the post included Fulton J Sheen, a television personality and Bishop of Rochester; and Archbishop Maguire, who had been Spellman's coadjutor.
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Terence Cooke went to Harlem that evening to plead for racial peace and later attended King's funeral.
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On January 20,1969, Terence Cooke delivered the benediction at the inauguration of President Richard Nixon.
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Terence Cooke helped implement the reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the archdiocese, and adopted a more collegial management style than his predecessor Spellman.
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At the time of his elevation, Terence Cooke was the second-youngest member of the College of Cardinals after Cardinal Alfred Bengsch, who was six months younger.
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Terence Cooke was theologically conservative but described himself as progressive in secular matters.
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In 1974, Terence Cooke went to the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he attended lectures on the Second Vatican Council given by his future successor, Father Edward Egan.
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Terence Cooke was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the conclaves of August and October 1978, which selected Popes John Paul I and John Paul II, respectively.
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In 1979, Terence Cooke separately hosted the Dalai Lama and Pope John Paul II at St Patrick's Cathedral.
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On October 6,1983, Terence Cooke died from leukemia at age 62 at his episcopal residence in Manhattan, New York City.
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Terence Cooke is interred in the crypt under the altar of St Patrick's Cathedral.
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Terence Cooke received the James Cardinal Gibbons Medal from his alma mater, Catholic University of America.
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An anti-Communist, Terence Cooke opposed the majority of his fellow bishops when he spoke out against nuclear disarmament in 1982.
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Terence Cooke once stated that deterrence was not satisfactory or safe, but could be considered morally "tolerable".
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Terence Cooke, opposed to the militant policies of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, remained inside St Patrick's Cathedral during the 1983 St Patrick's Day Parade, until the grand marshal, Irish activist Michael Flannery, had passed by.
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Terence Cooke was an outspoken opponent of abortion rights, which he called the "slaughter of the innocent unborn", and once served as chairman of the USCCB's Pro-Life Committee.
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Terence Cooke initiated the formation of Courage International, a ministry that promotes chastity for gay and lesbian Catholics.
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Terence Cooke supported the Cursillo Movement, Christian Family Movement, and Charismatic Renewal, and was instrumental in bringing the Missionaries of Charity to New York.
30.
Terence Cooke once described actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly as "a lesson in Catholic motherhood".