Thomas Mardaga
The Most Reverend Thomas Joseph Mardaga | |
---|---|
Bishop of Wilmington | |
See | Bishop of Wilmington |
Installed | April 6, 1968 |
Term ended | May 28, 1984 |
Predecessor | Michael Hyle |
Successor | Robert Mulvee |
Other post(s) | Titular Bishop of Mutugenna (1967–1968) |
Orders | |
Ordination | May 14, 1940 |
Consecration | January 25, 1967 |
Personal details | |
Born | Baltimore, Maryland | May 14, 1913
Died | May 28, 1984 Wilmington, Delaware | (aged 71)
Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
Thomas Joseph Mardaga (May 14, 1913 – May 28, 1984) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wilmington from 1968 until his death in 1984.
Biography[]
Thomas Mardaga was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Thomas and Agnes (née Ryan) Mardaga.[1] He received his early education at the parochial school of St. Ann Church in his native city.[1] He attended St. Charles College in Catonsville before studying for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore.[2] He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Michael J. Curley on May 14, 1940.[3]
Mardaga then served as a curate at St. Paul Church in Baltimore until being transferred to the Basilica of the Assumption, where he later became rector.[2] In addition to his pastoral work, he served as archdiocesan director of the Catholic Youth Organization and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, executive secretary of the Catholic Charities Fund, and a member of the archdiocesan board of consultors.[2] He was named a domestic prelate in 1963.[1]
On December 9, 1966, Mardaga was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and titular bishop of Mutugenna by Pope Paul VI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on January 25, 1967 from Cardinal Lawrence Shehan, with Bishops John Joyce Russell and Thomas Austin Murphy serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.[3] As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as rector of the Basilica of the Assumption.[1]
Following the death of Bishop Michael William Hyle, Mardaga was named the sixth Bishop of Wilmington, Delaware, on March 9, 1968.[3] His installation took place at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington on April 6 of that year.[1] During his 16-year tenure, he continued the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, establishing a council for the laity and participating in ecumenical work.[4] He also reorganized the diocesan curia and created a ministry for migrant workers.[4]
Mardaga died from cancer at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington.[2]
References[]
- ^ a b c d e "Most Rev. Thomas J. Mardaga". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore. Archived from the original on 2010-06-28.
- ^ a b c d Schaffer, Michael D. (1984-05-29). "BISHOP THOMAS MARDAGA, 71". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ a b c d "Bishop Thomas Joseph Mardaga". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- ^ a b "A Brief History of the Diocese of Wilmington". Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
- 1913 births
- 1984 deaths
- St. Charles College alumni
- St. Mary's Seminary and University alumni
- Roman Catholic bishops of Wilmington
- 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States