Wilton Daniel Gregory
Stored: Wilton Daniel Gregory
| His Eminence Wilton Daniel Gregory | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Washington (Emeritus) | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Washington |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Belleville |
| Other diocese 2: | Archdiocese of Atlanta |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 9 May 1973 by Cardinal John Cody |
| Consecration: | 13 December 1983 by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 28 November 2020 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Wilton Daniel Gregory 7 December 1947 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | St. Mary of the Lake Seminary, Pontifical Liturgical Institute at Sant’Anselmo |
| Motto: | "We Are the Lord’s" |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Moderate |
| Region: | North America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory, born December 7, 1947, is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop Emeritus of Washington since his retirement in January 2025.[1] Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2020, he became the first African American cardinal, a historic milestone recognized during his tenure as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 2001 to 2004, the first African American in that role.[2] His motto, “We Are the Lord’s” (Romans 14:8), reflects his advocacy for social justice, racial equality, and inclusivity, notably through his 2025 apology to LGBTQ Catholics and leadership in addressing clergy abuse.[3] At 77, Gregory is one of nine American cardinal-electors in the 2025 papal conclave, starting May 7, contributing his experience in pastoral outreach and Church unity.[4]
Ordained a priest in 1973, Gregory served as auxiliary bishop of Chicago (1983–1994), Bishop of Belleville (1994–2004), and Archbishop of Atlanta (2005–2019) before becoming Archbishop of Washington (2019–2025).[5] His tenure included navigating the 2018 clergy abuse crisis, rejecting calls to deny Communion to President Joe Biden, and facing a 2024 Vos estis lux mundi investigation, from which he was cleared in 2025.[5] In April 2025, he joined Cardinals Robert McElroy, Christophe Pierre, and Donald Wuerl in a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to remember Pope Francis, underscoring his role in fostering dialogue.[6] Gregory’s induction into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta highlights his commitment to racial justice.[7]
Biography
Birth and early life
Wilton Daniel Gregory was born on December 7, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, to Wilton Sr. and Ethel Duncan Gregory.[1] Raised in a non-Catholic family in Englewood, he attended St. Carthage Elementary School, where his exposure to Catholicism led to his conversion at age 11, facilitated by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.[8] Baptized and confirmed in 1959, he discerned a priestly vocation early, influenced by Chicago’s vibrant Catholic community.[7]
Gregory’s childhood in a segregated neighborhood shaped his advocacy for racial justice, later recognized by his Morehouse College honor.[7] He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary South, fostering his commitment to pastoral service.[1]
Education
Gregory studied philosophy at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois, earning a bachelor’s degree, and theology at the same institution, completing his formation in 1973.[1] He earned a doctorate in sacred liturgy from the Pontifical Liturgical Institute at Sant’Anselmo in Rome in 1980, focusing on liturgical inculturation.[2] His dissertation explored African American contributions to Catholic worship.[8]
Fluent in English and knowledgeable in Latin, Gregory’s education emphasized pastoral leadership and liturgy, preparing him for roles addressing social and racial issues within the Church.[7] His studies aligned with Vatican II’s call for cultural integration in worship.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on May 9, 1973, by Cardinal John Cody, Gregory served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish and St. Carthage Parish.[1] He was a professor and formation director at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary (1976–1980) and an aide to Cardinals John Cody and Joseph Bernardin.[8] His early ministry included advocating for racial justice and addressing clergy abuse, roles that defined his later episcopal leadership.[7]
His priesthood focused on liturgy, education, and social outreach, notably supporting immigrants and same-sex couples in pastoral settings.[8] In 1980, he served on the USCCB’s liturgy committee, shaping national worship practices.[1]
Bishop
Appointed auxiliary bishop of Chicago and titular bishop of Oliva on October 31, 1983, by Pope John Paul II, Gregory was consecrated on December 13, 1983, by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.[5] Named Bishop of Belleville on December 29, 1993, he served until his appointment as Archbishop of Atlanta on December 9, 2004.[1] He became Archbishop of Washington on April 4, 2019, and was elevated to cardinal on November 28, 2020, assigned the titular church of Immacolata Concezione di Maria a Grottarossa.[2]
As archbishop, Gregory navigated the 2018 abuse crisis, promoted inclusivity, and was cleared of a 2024 Vos estis lux mundi investigation.[5] He retired in January 2025 and participates in the 2025 conclave.[4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archdiocese of Chicago | Auxiliary Bishop | 31 October 1983 | 29 December 1993 | Titular Bishop of Oliva |
| Diocese of Belleville | Bishop | 29 December 1993 | 9 December 2004 | First African American president of USCCB (2001–2004) |
| Archdiocese of Atlanta | Archbishop | 9 December 2004 | 4 April 2019 | Inducted into Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers |
| Archdiocese of Washington | Archbishop | 4 April 2019 | 6 January 2025 | First African American cardinal, elevated in 2020 |
Significant events
- Converted to Catholicism, 1959.[1]
- Ordained priest for Archdiocese of Chicago, 1973.[1]
- Earned doctorate in sacred liturgy, 1980.[2]
- Named auxiliary bishop of Chicago, 1983.[5]
- Appointed Bishop of Belleville, 1993.[1]
- Elected president of USCCB, 2001–2004.[2]
- Named Archbishop of Atlanta, 2004.[1]
- Inducted into Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College, 2010.[7]
- Appointed Archbishop of Washington, 2019.[1]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis, 2020.[2]
- Rejected denying Communion to President Joe Biden, 2021.[9]
- Cleared of Vos estis lux mundi investigation, 2025.[5]
- Apologized to LGBTQ Catholics, 2025.[3]
- Participated in Mass for Pope Francis, 2025.[6]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Gregory were identified.
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Gregory were identified. He has issued pastoral letters and statements through the Archdiocese of Washington, but no published books are documented.
External links
- Wilton Daniel Gregory
- Biography of Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory
- Vatican Biography of Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory
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 "Wilton Gregory". Wikipedia. 2004-12-13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilton_Gregory.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "A look back on Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory’s historic journey". Our Sunday Visitor. 2025-02-20. https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/a-look-back-on-cardinal-wilton-d-gregorys-historic-journey/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cardinal Wilton Gregory: I apologize to LGBTQ Catholics". Outreach. 2025-01-28. https://outreach.faith/2025/01/cardinal-wilton-gregory-i-apologize-to-lgbtq-catholics/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Conclave: Who will elect the next Pope". Vatican News. 2025-04-29. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/conclave-who-will-elect-the-next-pope.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "Wilton Daniel Cardinal Gregory". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bgreg.html.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "4 cardinals participate in DC mass to remember Pope Francis; 3 will help select next pope". WJLA. 2025-04-21. https://wjla.com/news/local/pope-francis-mass-basilica-national-shrine-immaculate-conception-northeast-dc-cardinals-select-new-pope-remember-vatican-catholic-church-leadership.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "One of the electors in the papal conclave has ties to Georgia. Who is Cardinal Wilton Gregory?". Yahoo News. 2025-04-21. https://www.yahoo.com/news/one-electors-papal-conclave-ties-162223583.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Pope successor selection will involve bishops with Chicago ties". Chicago Sun-Times. 2025-03-08. https://chicago.suntimes.com/religion/2025/03/08/pope-successor-selection-bishops-chicago-ties-cardinal-blase-cupich-robert-prevost-wilton-gregory.
- ↑ "Cardinal Robert McElroy To Succeed Cardinal Wilton Gregory as Archbishop of Washington, D.C.". The Good Newsroom. 2025-01-06. https://thegoodnewsroom.org/cardinal-robert-mcelroy-to-succeed-cardinal-wilton-gregory-as-archbishop-of-washington-d-c/.