Robert Walter McElroy
Stored: Robert Walter McElroy
| His Eminence Robert Walter McElroy | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Washington | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of San Francisco |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of San Diego |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 12 April 1980 by Archbishop John Raphael Quinn |
| Consecration: | 7 September 2010 by Archbishop George Hugh Niederauer |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Robert Walter McElroy 5 February 1954 San Francisco, California, United States |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Harvard University, Stanford University, Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Ut Vitam Habeant" (That They May Have Life) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | North America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy, born February 5, 1954, is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Washington since his installation on March 11, 2025, after leading the Diocese of San Diego from 2015 to 2025.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, McElroy is a prominent advocate for Francis’ progressive agenda, emphasizing immigration reform, environmental justice, and inclusion of LGBTQ+ and divorced Catholics, as seen in his 2023 call for “radical inclusion” and his 2024 defense of *Fiducia Supplicans* against anti-LGBTQ+ bias.[2] His motto, “Ut Vitam Habeant” (That They May Have Life, John 10:10), reflects his pastoral focus on social justice, evident in his February 2025 protest against Trump’s anti-immigration policies and his 2021 divestment from fossil fuels in San Diego.[3] At 71, McElroy is one of 10 U.S. cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, where he voted among 133 cardinals to elect Francis’ successor, bringing his intellectual weight and synodal vision to the process.[4][5]
A Harvard and Stanford-educated scholar with doctorates in moral theology and political science, McElroy has shaped Catholic social teaching through writings, including two books and articles in *America* magazine, and speeches, such as his 2016 call to confront anti-Islamic bigotry.[6] His 2024 ban on homeschool co-ops using San Diego’s parochial facilities sparked criticism for inconsistency, while his 2025 appointment to Washington, a key U.S. see, positioned him to engage national policy debates, though he emphasized pastoral witness over political lobbying.[7] In April 2025, McElroy traveled to Rome for Francis’ funeral and pre-conclave meetings, where his progressive stance and synodality advocacy, expressed at the 2023–2024 Synod on Synodality, underscored his influence, though his U.S. focus and polarizing views temper papabile speculation.[4] His pastoral sensitivity, praised by peers like Cardinal Blase Cupich, remains central to his ministry.[8]
Biography
Birth and early life
Robert Walter McElroy was born on February 5, 1954, in San Francisco, California, to Walter and Roberta McElroy, a Catholic family of fifth-generation San Franciscans.[1] One of five children, he grew up in Daly City until age 10, attending Our Lady of Mercy Elementary School, before moving to Burlingame, where he graduated from Our Lady of Angels School.[9] His early call to the priesthood led him to St. Joseph’s High School Seminary in Mountain View, but he opted for a non-seminary college path after graduation.[9]
Raised in San Mateo County, McElroy’s faith was nurtured by his family’s parish life at St. Cecilia’s, where his parents were married.[9] His exposure to San Francisco’s diverse communities shaped his social justice focus.[8]
Education
McElroy studied at Harvard University, earning a bachelor’s degree in American history in 1975, followed by a master’s in American history (1976) and a doctorate in political science (1989) from Stanford University.[1] He holds a master’s in divinity from St. Patrick’s Seminary (1979), a licentiate in sacred theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley (1985), and a doctorate in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University (1987).[9] His academic work focused on Catholic social teaching and U.S. foreign policy.[8]
Fluent in English and likely Italian (from Roman studies, though unconfirmed), his education equipped him for intellectual and pastoral leadership.[6] His Harvard seminar with historian Oscar Handlin on immigration was formative.[10]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco on April 12, 1980, by Archbishop John Raphael Quinn, McElroy served as parochial vicar at St. Cecilia Parish (1980–1985) and St. Pius Parish in Redwood City (1989–1995).[1] He was vicar general under Quinn and Cardinal William Levada (1995–1997) and pastor of St. Gregory Parish in San Mateo (1997–2010).[9] His ministry emphasized parish life and social justice.[10]
McElroy’s priesthood included writings on the Eucharist and politics, notably a 2005 essay criticizing selective Eucharistic sanctions.[1] His San Francisco experience during the AIDS crisis deepened his inclusive approach.[10]
Bishop
Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco and Titular Bishop of Gemellae in Numidia on July 6, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI, McElroy was consecrated on September 7, 2010, by Archbishop George Hugh Niederauer.[1] Named Bishop of San Diego in 2015 and Archbishop of Washington in 2025, he was elevated to cardinal in 2022, assigned the titular church of San Frumenzio ai Prati Fiscali.[3] He serves on Vatican dicasteries for Integral Human Development and Laity, Family, and Life.[11]
As bishop, McElroy led San Diego’s fossil fuel divestment, protested immigration policies in 2025, and voted in the 2025 conclave.[4] His progressive stances sparked debate among U.S. bishops.[2]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of San Francisco | Auxiliary Bishop | 6 July 2010 | 3 March 2015 | Titular Bishop of Gemellae in Numidia |
| Diocese of San Diego | Bishop | 3 March 2015 | 6 January 2025 | Elevated to cardinal in 2022 |
| Archdiocese of Washington | Archbishop | 6 January 2025 | Present | Installed March 11, 2025 |
Significant events
- Entered St. Joseph’s High School Seminary, 1968.[9]
- Ordained priest for San Francisco, 1980.[1]
- Appointed vicar general, 1995.[1]
- Named prelate of honor, 1996.[1]
- Published Eucharist sanctions essay, 2005.[1]
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, 2010.[1]
- Named Bishop of San Diego, 2015.[1]
- Criticized USCCB document focus, 2015.[1]
- Called out anti-Islamic bigotry, 2016.[1]
- Underwent heart bypass surgery, 2021.[12]
- Divested San Diego from fossil fuels, 2021.[2]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2022.[1]
- Called for “radical inclusion,” 2023.[2]
- Defended *Fiducia Supplicans*, 2024.[1]
- Banned homeschool co-ops from facilities, 2024.[1]
- Appointed Archbishop of Washington, 2025.[1]
- Led anti-immigration policy protest, February 2025.[1]
- Voted in 2025 papal conclave, May 2025.[4]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal McElroy were identified.
Written by the bishop
- McElroy, Robert W. The Search for an American Public Theology: The Contribution of John Courtney Murray. New York: Paulist Press, 1989. Available at Amazon.
- McElroy, Robert W. Morality and American Foreign Policy: The Role of Ethics in International Affairs. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992. Available at Amazon.
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 "Robert W. McElroy". Wikipedia. 2025-03-11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_W._McElroy.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Cardinal Robert McElroy appointed to lead Archdiocese of Washington". Religion News Service. 2025-01-06. https://religionnews.com/2025/01/06/cardinal-robert-mcelroy-appointed-to-lead-archdiocese-of-washington/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Pope Names Robert McElroy, an Ally on Immigration, as Cardinal in Washington". The New York Times. 2025-01-06. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/06/us/pope-francis-cardinal-mcelroy-washington-archbishop.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Cardinal Robert Walter McElroy to vote for next pope". The Desert Sun. 2025-04-26. https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2025/04/26/cardinal-robert-walter-mcelroy-to-vote-for-next-pope/73476513007/.
- ↑ "Both of Washington’s Cardinals Will Vote at the Conclave". Washingtonian. 2025-04-29. https://www.washingtonian.com/2025/04/29/both-of-washingtons-cardinals-will-vote-at-the-conclave/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Cardinal McElroy to lead D.C. archdiocese, Vatican announces". America Magazine. 2025-01-06. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2025/01/06/cardinal-mcelroy-washington-archbishop-249693.
- ↑ "Cardinal McElroy, incoming Washington archbishop, has no plans to meet Trump". National Catholic Reporter. 2025-02-27. https://www.ncronline.org/news/cardinal-mcelroy-incoming-washington-archbishop-has-no-plans-meet-trump.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Cardinal Robert McElroy has spent his life preparing for this moment". The Washington Post. 2025-03-17. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/03/17/cardinal-mcelroy-archbishop-washington/.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Robert Cardinal McElroy". Archdiocese of Washington. 2025-01-06. https://adw.org/about-us/our-archbishop/robert-cardinal-mcelroy/.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Cardinal Robert W. McElroy on the Changing Catholic Church". Harvard Magazine. 2024-04-30. https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2024/04/features-cardinal-robert-mcelroy-catholic-church.
- ↑ "Biography". Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego. 2024-06-28. https://sdcatholic.org/about-us/our-bishop/.
- ↑ "Bishop Robert McElroy: What to know about the soon to be American cardinal". Catholic News Agency. 2022-05-29. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/247693/bishop-robert-mcelroy-what-to-know-about-the-soon-to-be-american-cardinal.