Robert James Carlson

Last updated

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Robert James Carlson
Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis
Archbishop-robert-carlson.jpg
Archbishop Carlson exits the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis – 2010.
ChurchCatholic
See Saint Louis
AppointedApril 21, 2009
InstalledJune 10, 2009
RetiredJune 10, 2020
Predecessor Raymond Leo Burke
Successor Mitchell T. Rozanski
Previous post(s)
Orders
OrdinationMay 23, 1970
by  Leo Binz
ConsecrationJanuary 11, 1984
by  John Robert Roach, John Francis Kinney, and Paul Vincent Dudley
Personal details
Born (1944-06-30) June 30, 1944 (age 80)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Alma mater Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary
Saint Paul Seminary
Catholic University of America School of Canon Law
MottoAnte crucem nihil defensionis
(Before the cross, there is no defense)
Styles of
Robert James Carlson
Coat of arms of Robert James Carlson.svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Archbishop

Robert James Carlson (born June 30, 1944) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the ninth archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis in Missouri from 2009 to 2020.

Contents

Carlson previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota (1983–1994), as bishop of the Diocese of Sioux Falls in South Dakota (1995–2004), and as bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan (2004–2009).

Biography

Early life

Robert Carlson was born June 30, 1944, in Minneapolis, to Robert and Jeanne Carlson. His father was serving in the U.S. Navy on a destroyer in Guam during World War II when his son was born. Robert senior worked as a Prudential insurance salesman for 43 years. [1] The eldest of five children, Robert Carlson has four younger sisters, two of whom died in childhood. During high school, he studied under the Christian Brothers and played football. [1] He then attended Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary [2] in St. Paul and Saint Paul Seminary, where he obtained a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1966.

Priesthood

Carlson was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Leo Binz in St. Paul, Minnesota, for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on May 23, 1970. [3] He earned a Master of Divinity degree from St. Paul Seminary in 1976, and a Licentiate of Canon Law from the Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in 1979. He served as a pastor, a judge on the archdiocesan tribunal, director of the Office of Vocations, and chancellor of the curia in the archdiocese. He also served at the University of St. Thomas, where he was a chaplain to the hockey team. [1]

Auxiliary Bishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis

On November 19, 1983, Pope John Paul II appointed Carlson as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and titular bishop of Avioccala. He received his episcopal consecration on January 11, 1984, from Archbishop John Roach, with Bishops John Kinney and Paul Dudley serving as co-consecrators. [3] Carlson selected as his episcopal motto: Ante Crucem Nihil Defensionis, that is, "Before the Cross There is No Defense."

In 1984, Carlson was informed of a sexual abuse accusation against Reverend Thomas Adamson. Four years earlier, Adamson had spent two weeks in an inpatient clinic after being accused of abuse of minors. Carlson confronted Adamson, who admitted committing sexual abuse against children and "agreed that it probably would be first-degree criminal sexual contact". [4] In a memo to Archbishop Roach, Carlson recommended "given the seriousness of our exposure that the Archdiocese posture itself in such a way that any publicity will be minimized". Adamson later admitted to sexually abusing children in 10 of the 13 parishes to which he was assigned. When the Adamson case became public, Carlson defended his earlier actions, stating, "My job was to investigate and report back to the archbishop what I found out, and that's exactly what I did." [4]

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Sioux Falls

On January 13, 1994, John Paul II named Carlson as coadjutor bishop of Sioux Falls. He succeeded Bishop Paul Dudley as bishop when the latter retired on March 21, 1995. Carlson served as chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Vocations from 1992 to 1994, and of the Subcommittee on Youth from 1993 to 1996. [5]

While serving in Sioux Falls, Carlson offered to allow South Dakota's attorney general to inspect the diocese's files as part of his effort to demonstrate his open approach to sexual abuse accusations against priests. He required diocesan employees and priests transferring into his diocese to undergo thorough background checks. [6]

Carlson survived stage-four bladder cancer in the 1990s, having once been told by his doctor to prepare for an imminent death. [7] He has undergone a total of seven cancer-related procedures, and partly credited a trip to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima in Portugal for his recovery. [7]

Bishop of Saginaw

Carlson was appointed as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw on December 29, 2004. Succeeding Bishop Kenneth Untener, Carlson was installed at St. Mary's Cathedral in Saginaw on February 24, 2005. [3] Carlson later said that upon arriving in the diocese, he reviewed the human resources file of every priest in the diocese as a proactive measure against sexual abuse. [6] During his tenure in Saginaw, Carlson focused on priestly vocations, Catholic schools, service to the poor, stewardship, and evangelization. He also published six pastoral letters; created the Saginaw Area Catholic Schools system; and established two charities, the Bishop's Charity Golf Classic and the Bishop's Charity Ball.

Carlson filled the role of diocesan vocations director himself. In 2005 the number of seminarians increased from four to 12, and in 2006 the number of seminarians again increased to 19. [8] In August 2006, the first permanent deacon in 25 years was ordained for the diocese. [9] In June 2007, two men were ordained to the priesthood and five to the transitional diaconate.

Archbishop of St. Louis

Pope Benedict XVI named Carlson as the ninth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis on April 21, 2009. [10] [11] He replaced Archbishop Raymond Burke, who was appointed Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura in the Roman Curia in June 2008. [12] He received the pallium from the pope on June 29, 2009, in a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. [13]

Soon after Carlson's arrival, the pastor of a St. Louis parish was arrested and suspended from priestly duties for alleged sexual improprieties with minors. Carlson visited and spoke to the parish soon afterward at one of their masses. He also notified the previous parishes where the priest had served of the allegations. He was praised for his response by the St. Louis Review, the newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. [14]

In 2005, Carlson's predecessor, Archbishop Burke, had excommunicated Reverend Marek Bozek and the lay board of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish as part of a decades-long dispute over the control of parish property, the appointment of a Polish or Polish-speaking pastor to replace Bozek, Bozek's status and compensation, and whom to recognize as a parishioner or board member. [15] Carlson, after trying to reconcile with the board and parishioners, [16] concluded an agreement in which the archdiocese surrendered its property claims to the church and St. Stanislaus agreed not to claim any Catholic affiliation. [17] [18]

In response to the 2018 grand jury report concerning clerical sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, Carlson invited the Missouri attorney general's office to inspect the archdiocesan files and to produce a report on clerical abuse in Missouri. [19]

Retirement

Pope Francis accepted Carlson's resignation as archbishop of St. Louis on June 10, 2020, and named Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski as his successor. [20] [3]

Views

Carlson is considered theologically conservative. [21] [22] His appointment follows a pattern observed by John L. Allen Jr., of Benedict XVI choosing prelates "who are basically conservative in both their politics and their theology, but also upbeat, pastoral figures given to dialogue." [23]

Abortion

Regarding withholding communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion for women, and who persist in doing so even after consultation with their bishop, Carlson stated in 2010 that he has stressed the need for personal dialogue with them. However, he also affirmed the validity of denying communion to such politician as he said that

"If I were to enter into dialogue with somebody, and after they reflect on the discussion and that person persisted, it could come to that point. ...Archbishop Burke, who is on the Supreme Apostolic Signatura, has combined in an interesting way, and I think he does it correctly. And he's not just speaking anymore as the Archbishop of St. Louis, he is the prefect of the Signatura. It appears that's the direction the church consensus is moving towards. ... Could we get into that situation? Yes. But at least in my own time in St. Louis, I'd like to have a crack at the dialogue first." [24]

During his tenure, Carlson was a frequent critic of U.S. Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD). In 1997, before a US Senate vote on legislation banning so-called partial-birth abortion, Carlson denounced a compromise proposed by Daschle that would ban the procedure, but allow exemptions for women claiming mental or physical health reasons. Carlson called the proposition a "smokescreen" designed to "provide cover for pro-abortion senators and President Clinton, who wanted to avoid a veto confrontation." In response, Daschle described the bishops as being "more identified with the radical right than with thoughtful religious leadership." [25]

In 2003, Carlson privately urged Daschle to no longer identify himself as a Catholic because of his support for abortion rights for women. [25] [26] Daschle refused to disclose any details of his communication with Carlson, saying, "I am not going to participate in a debate that is intended to politicize anyone's religious beliefs..." [26] Carlson later added, "I would never break off dialogue or a pastoral relationship with anyone." [26] [27]

During the 2008 U.S. presidential election, Carlson stated, "A Catholic can, in good conscience, vote for a pro-choice candidate only if other issues outweigh this one in number and in kind." [1] The day following President Barack Obama's victory, he said, "This election has shown that any child who is born in America has the opportunity to ascend to the highest political office in the land. We must continue to work and pray tirelessly for the day when every child who is conceived will have the right to live." [28]

On May 15, 2009, Carlson expressed his disappointment over the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite Obama to deliver its commencement speech and receive an honorary degree. Carlson said, "Notre Dame has to figure out who they are—are they of the culture, or are they of the Church?" [29]

Girl Scouts

In February 2016, Carlson encouraged pastors to review their relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA, and their parent organization World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). This was due to "a troubling pattern of behavior" in regards to Planned Parenthood and other advocates of abortion rights for women. [30]

Other Appointments

Publications

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Egan</span> American Catholic cardinal (1932–2015)

Edward Michael Egan was an American Catholic prelate who served as Bishop of Bridgeport from 1988 to 2000 and as Archbishop of New York from 2000 to 2009. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in US

The Archdiocese of St. Louis is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Michigan, USA

The Archdiocese of Detroit is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or archdiocese, of the Catholic Church covering the Michigan in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis</span> Archdiocese of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, United States

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is a Latin Church ecclesiastical jurisdiction or diocese of the Catholic Church in the United States. It is led by an archbishop who administers the archdiocese from the cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. The archbishop has both a cathedral and co-cathedral: the mother church – the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul, and the co-cathedral, the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allen Vigneron</span> American Roman Catholic Archbishop

Allen Henry Vigneron is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Archdiocese of Detroit in Michigan and Ecclesiastical Superior of the Cayman Islands since 2009. Vigneron previously served as Bishop of Oakland in California from 2003 to 2009 and as an auxiliary bishop of Detroit from 1996 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel DiNardo</span> Catholic cardinal

Daniel Nicholas DiNardo is an American cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the second and current archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston in Texas serving since 2006. He previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City in Iowa from 1998 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabian Bruskewitz</span> Catholic bishop

Fabian Wendelin Bruskewitz is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Lincoln in Nebraska, from 1992 to 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona–Rochester</span> Ecclesiastical territory of the Catholic Church in southern Minnesota, United States

The Diocese of Winona–Rochester is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in Southern Minnesota in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timothy M. Dolan</span> American prelate of the Catholic Church (b. 1950)

Timothy Michael Dolan is an American cardinal of the Catholic Church. He is the tenth and current archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York in the United States, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Stanislaus Kostka Church (St. Louis, Missouri)</span> Historic church in Missouri, United States

St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is an independent Catholic church located in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. Formerly a parish belonging to the Catholic Church, it was established in 1880 to serve the Polish community in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The parish is maintained and managed by its parishioners as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Mississippi, USA

The Diocese of Biloxi is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church that encompasses 17 counties in southern Mississippi in the United States. The diocese was erected on March 1, 1977, when it was split from the Diocese of Jackson. The Diocese of Biloxi is a suffragan diocese of the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile, though for its first three years the diocese was in the province of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

William Edwin Franklin is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, He served as an auxiliary bishop of Archdiocese of Dubuque in Iowa from 1987 to 1993, and as bishop of the Diocese of Davenport, also in Iowa, from 1993 to 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw</span> Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in Michigan, USA

The Diocese of Saginaw is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Catholic Church in Michigan in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Detroit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Lincoln</span> Diocese of the Catholic Church in USA

The Diocese of Lincoln is a Latin Church diocese in Nebraska, United States, and comprises the majority of the eastern and central portions of the state south of the Platte River. It is a suffragan see to the archdiocese of Omaha. The episcopal see is in Lincoln, Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls</span> Diocese of the Catholic Church

The Diocese of Sioux Falls is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church diocese in South Dakota in the United States. It is a suffragan see of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William E. Lori</span> American Catholic bishop

William Edward Lori is an American prelate of the Catholic Church who has served as the 16th archbishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Maryland since 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph R. Cistone</span>

Joseph Robert Cistone was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan from 2009 to until his death in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Fred Naumann</span> American Christian cleric

Joseph Fred Naumann is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas since 2004. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1997 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mitchell T. Rozanski</span> American Roman Catholic bishop

Mitchell Thomas Rozanski is an American Catholic prelate who has served as Archbishop of St. Louis since 2020. He previously served as Bishop of Springfield in Massachusetts from 2014 to 2020 and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 2004 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert D. Gruss</span>

Robert Dwayne Gruss is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He has served as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan since 2019. Gruss previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City in South Dakota from 2011 to 2019.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Rice, Patricia (April 21, 2009). "Robert James Carlson is St. Louis Catholics' new archbishop". St. Louis Beacon . Archived from the original on April 24, 2009.
  2. ↑ "Rinunce e Nomine". The Vatican. December 29, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Archbishop Robert James Carlson [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Townsend, Tim (July 5, 2009). "Carlson admits errors in handling pedophile priest in '80s; New St. Louis Archbishop says he will apply lessons of leadership here". St. Louis Post-Dispatch .
  5. ↑ "Pope Names Bishop Robert J. Carlson As Archbishop Of St. Louis; Bishop Robert J. Cunningham As Bishop Of Syracuse, New York". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. April 21, 2009.
  6. 1 2 "Archbishop Carlson reflects on sex abuse mistakes". The Journal . New Ulm, Minnesota. July 5, 2009. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  7. 1 2 Townsend, Tim (April 21, 2009). "A funny, moving debut for new archbishop". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on April 26, 2009.
  8. ↑ Mercer, Joshua (December 10, 2006). "A 'Culture of Vocations' Brings Vitality to the Saginaw Diocese". National Catholic Register . Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  9. ↑ Treadwell, M. (August 15, 2006) "Deacon Ordination First in 25 Years", Diocese of Saginaw Press Release.
  10. ↑ "The Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson". Archdiocese of St. Louis. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson | Leadership 07.03.2023 | Archdiocese of St Louis". www.archstl.org. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Rinunce e Nomine: Nomina dell'Arcvescovo di St. Louis (U.S.A.)" [Waivers and Nominations: Appointment of the Archbishop of St. Louis (U.S.A.)]. Daily Bulletin. Holy See Press Office.
  13. ↑ "St. Louis Review | Archdiocese of St Louis". www.archstl.org. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  14. ↑ Watkins, Barbara; Kenny, Joseph (August 7, 2009). "Archbishop Carlson Reaches out to Parishioners at St. Raphael Parish". St. Louis Review.
  15. ↑ "Q & A Regarding Reconciliation of Saint Stanislaus Board Members and Lawsuit". Archdiocese of St. Louis. July 23, 2008. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  16. ↑ Carlson, Robert J. (July 29, 2010). "An Offer to the Parishioners of St. Stanislaus" (Press release). Archdiocese of St. Louis. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  17. ↑ Townsend, Tim (February 14, 2013). "St. Louis Archdiocese and St. Stanislaus reach settlement that makes church independent". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  18. ↑ "An Offer to the Parishioners of St. Stanislaus". Archdiocese of Saint Louis. July 29, 2010.
  19. ↑ "St. Louis archdiocese invites attorney general to review files". Catholic News Agency. August 23, 2018. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis; Names Bishop Mitchell Rozanski of Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts as Successor". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops . June 10, 2020.
  21. ↑ O'Connor, Phillip (April 23, 2009). "New St. Louis archbishop shepherded conservative change in his former diocese". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.[ permanent dead link ]
  22. ↑ O'Connor, Phillip (April 23, 2009). "New St. Louis archbishop shepherded conservative change in his former diocese". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  23. ↑ Allen, John L. (February 23, 2009). "Benedict's U.S. appointments follow a pattern". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on March 11, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  24. ↑ Townsend, Tim (October 19, 2010). "Burke: Catholic pols who ignore church must publicly repent". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  25. 1 2 Bottum, Joseph (April 17, 2003). "Tom Daschle's Duty to Be Morally Coherent". The Weekly Standard . Archived from the original on April 19, 2003.
  26. 1 2 3 Filteau, Jerry (April 21, 2009). "Bishop Robert J. Carlson of Saginaw headed to St. Louis". National Catholic Reporter.
  27. ↑ Wittenauer, Cheryl (April 21, 2009). "Pope Benedict XVI names Saginaw, Mich., Bishop Robert Carlson as new archbishop of St. Louis". Los Angeles Times .[ dead link ]
  28. ↑ "Bishop Carlson: 'Our witness must grow stronger'". Diocese of Saginaw. November 5, 2008.
  29. ↑ Townsend, Tim (May 15, 2009). "Carlson assails school's plan to honor Obama". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 18, 2009.
  30. ↑ "Archdiocese of St. Louis Responds to Boys Scouts of America Transgender Policy" (Press release). Archdiocese of St. Louis. January 31, 2017. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017.
  31. ↑ "EPISCOPAL ADVISER: ARCHBISHOP ROBERT CARLSON". Renewal Ministries. March 12, 2020.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Archbishop of Saint Louis
2009–2020		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Saginaw
2005–2009		Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Sioux Falls
1994–2005		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.