Background
Stafford, James Francis Cardinal was born on July 26, 1932 in Baltimore. Son of F. Emmett and Mary Dorothy Stafford.
Stafford, James Francis Cardinal was born on July 26, 1932 in Baltimore. Son of F. Emmett and Mary Dorothy Stafford.
Student, Loyola College, Baltimore, 1950—1952. Bachelor, St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, 1954. STB, Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Gregorian University, Rome, 1958.
Master of Social Work, Catholic University, 1964. Postgraduate, Rutgers University, 1963. Postgraduate, St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore, 1973—1975.
Ordained priest Archdiocese of Baltimore, 1957. Spiritual moderator Ladies of Charity Church, Baltimore, 1966—1976. Spiritual moderator Society St. Vincent de Paul, 1965—1976.
Urban vicar Archdiocese of Baltimore, 1966—1976. Ordained bishop, 1976. Auxiliary bishop, vicar general Archdiocese of Baltimore, 1976—1982.
Bishop Diocese of Memphis, 1982—1986. Archbishop Archdiocese of Denver, 1986—1996. President Pontifical Council Laity, 1996—2003.
Elevated to cardinal, 1998. Cardinal-deacon Gesu Bon Pastore alla Montagnola, 1998—2008. Major penitentiary Apostolic Penitentiary, Rome, 2003—2009, major penitentiary emeritus, since 2009.
Cardinal-priest S. Pietro in Montorio, since 2008. Archdiocesan liaison Maryland Catholic Conference, Baltimore, 1975—1978. Oriental Orthodox/Roman Catholic consultant National Catholic Conference Bishops, 1977—1985, committee on doctrine, 1978—1982, chairman ecumenical and interreligious affairs committee, 1987—1990.
Co-chairman bilateral dialogue Roman Catholic/World Methodist Council, 1977—1986. Co-chairman United States Roman Catholic-Lutheran Dialogue, since 1986. Chairman Bishops' committee marriage and family life United States Catholic Conference, 1978—1984.
Member general Synod Bishops, Vatican City, 1980.
Trustee Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore, 1973—1977, Catholic University American, since 1990, Blue Cross of Maryland, Inc., 1973—1976, Baltimore Urban Coalition, 1970—1975. Trustee, chairman St. Thomas Theological Seminary, since 1987. Board directors Association Catholic Charities, Baltimore, 1966—1976, University Maryland School Social Work and Planning, 1973—1976.
Member of Oriental Orthodox Roman Catholic Consultation, World Methodist Conference Roman Catholic Dialogue (co-chairman 1977-1986), Congregation for Doctrine of Faith, Lutheran Roman Catholic Dialogue, National Conference Catholic Bishops.