Title: John Cardinal O'Connor and the Culture of Life  Author: Rev. Charles P. Connor, S.T.L.,               Ph.D. Preface: His Excellency Timothy M. Dolan,               Archbishop of New York Foreword I: Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien               Archbishop of Baltimore Foreword II: Most Rev. Joseph C. Bamberra               Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania Testimonial: Rev. Monsignor Gregory               Mustaciuolo, Chancellor               Archdiocese of New York Appendix: Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, SV               Superior General, Sisters of Life ISBN 10: 0-8189-1332-0  ISBN 13: 978-0-8189-1332-7  Paperback: xxxii + 112 pp.  Price: $14.95 + shipping  To Order call:  1 800-343-ALBA (2522)  Please have your Master  or Visa card ready To order online click here.

John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York from 1984 to 2000, took very seriously the alarming and all-encompassing culture of death that was taking hold in the United States during his tenure. As Archbishop of "the capitol of the world," he felt obliged to confront this situation head on. Through his sermons, addresses, encounters with the secular media and those in political life he took every possible opportunity to foster in the States a culture of life. He was a forceful opponent of euthanasia, abortion, human cloning, capital punishment, human trafficking, and unjust war. Deeply troubled by the scourge of legalized abortion, he was inspired to found a religious order that would serve the unborn and dying and be dedicated to the sanctity of all human life. In 1991 his dream was realized in the Sisters of Life. He believed that, if it were of the Holy Spirit, the fruits would be enormous. This religious foundation would become the very heart of the Cardinal's contribution to the Culture of Life. Fr. Connor's latest book, which draws on the Archives of the Sisters of Life and includes an Appendix on Cardinal O'Connor's spirituality by Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, S.V., Superior General of the Sisters of Life, offers an unprecedented look at how his dream became reality.

 

Father Charles P. Connor, S.T.L., Ph.D. is a noted theologian and Church historian of remarkable scope. He is well-known for his documentaries on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) including, among others, The History of the Catholic Church in the United States, Historic Catholic Converts and Defenders of the Faith in Word and Deed. He has written three other books for ST PAULS / Alba House: Meditations on the Catholic Priesthood (2005), The Saint for the Third MIllennium: St. Therese of Lisieux (2007), and The Spiritual Legacy of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (2010).  Reviews           No one could have been happier that the late John Cardinal O'Connor when, in anticipation of World Youth Day (1993), in Denver, the late Pope [now Blessed] John Paul II first used the expression a "culture of life." The Pope was commenting on John 10:10 -- "I came that they might have life, and have it to the full." The Pope called on each of us "to take part in building up social structures more worthy of every individual and of all humanity, in promoting and defending the culture of life against all threats of death." By that time, Cardinal O'Connor had been defending life as a priest for almost fifty years.           In the following pages, Father Charles P. Connor tells the cardinal's story in a trinity of parts: the culture and the cardinal, the cardinal's thinking about abortion, and the cardinal's Sisters of Life.... You will discover that Father Connor is a gifted storyteller. He is immersed not only in the historical details of the life and times in which the cardinal lived and worked, but also in the Catholic culture in which the cardinal was formed and thrived. Who better to tell Cardinal O'Connor's story than a priest, historian, pastor, professor, author and television producer and commentator? We all owe Father Connor a debt of gratitude for his fine work. --His Excellency Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, in the Preface of the book.           "Father Connor's telling of the story captures the character of this courageous Cardinal and dispels the portrait of a Church leader whose focus on the rights of the pre-born would have him neglect or gloss over other important social teachings on war and peace, the plight of the poor, AIDS patients and the laboring class. The Cardinal's episcopal motto, "There Can Be No Love Without Justice" was applied deftly and effectively and consistently across the pro-life field of issues in his preaching, teaching and weekly columns. Finally, Father Connor's description of the Cardinal's founding of the Sisters of Life is a special bonus for any reader who would doubt the foresight, determination and spiritual depth of this unique Prince of the Church.           For a well-researched, scholarly but readable presentation of this important man and moment in the continuing pro-life cause, a word of gratitude and congratulations to Father Charles P. Connor, Ph.D. --Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, in Foreword I to the book.           I am delighted to introduce this book that depicts the tremendous impact Cardinal John O'connor made on all who listened to his words, watched his actions and witnessed his deep and unwavering commitment to defend life at any age and any stage. The reason for my delight is twofold. First, the words on the pages of this text are written by Reverend Charles P. Connor, a dear colleague, friend and brother priest from the Diocese of Scranton.... Through this work Fr. Connor provides historical detail, theological insight and lessons about living and spreading the Gospel in trying times by examining the unique and lasting impact made by one man: John Cardinal O'Connor, who also personified holiness and perseverance while defending the faith.           The second source of my pleasure in writing this foreword is because I had the opportunity to interact with Cardinal O'Connor when he served as the Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania from June 1983 to January 1984. I had the great fortune to be ordained by then Bishop O'Connor on November 5, 1983 at St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton.... His words, his concern for the dignity and sanctity of human life, his efforts on behalf of the poor and the homeless, his defense of the unborn, his concern for his priests and his passion for people was palpable. Along with many others, I will forever remember him as a deeply spiritual man, an effective teacher of the faith, and a vigorous defender of human life whose shepherd's heart knew no strangers.... Through this work Fr. Connor illustrates the amazing and exceptional legacy of a great servant of God. --Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania           For more than five years as his priest secretary, I was privileged to live and serve side-by-side with an extraordinary American and man of the Church: John Cardinal O'Connor. Daily I witnessed how his love of life, from conception through natural death, motivated all that he said and did in a gallant and herculean effort to ensure that life is respected at all stages.           I will forever remember this great and holy priest and bishop as one who strove to make the Lord's Will for life known to and accepted by as many as possible. How grateful I am to Father Charles Connor for bringing all of this to light in his excellent book, John Cardinal O'Connor and the Culture of Life. --Rev. Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York Top of Page