Background
Pocock, Philip F. was born on July 2, 1906 in Saint Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Son of Stephen Bernard and Sarah-May (McCarthy) P. Student, Assumption College, 1922-1923.
Pocock, Philip F. was born on July 2, 1906 in Saint Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Son of Stephen Bernard and Sarah-May (McCarthy) P. Student, Assumption College, 1922-1923.
Born Saint Thomas, Ontario and studied at Saint Peter"s Seminary, London, Ontario. In 1933 he left his parish to studied canon law in Rome (graduating with a Doctorate in Canon Law).
He was ordained priest in 1930 and became a professor at Saint Peter"s Seminary in London, Ontario teaching Moral Theology and Canon Law. He was appointed Bishop of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1944 and Apostolic Administrator of Winnipeg and Titular Archbishop of Aprus in 1951. The following year he succeeded as Archbishop of Winnipeg.
In 1961, Pocock left Winnipeg and became Coadjutor Archbishop of Toronto and Titular Archbishop of Isauropolis to assist the then ailing Archbishop, Cardinal James Charles McGuigan.
He succeeded as Archbishop of Toronto in 1971 and served until he resigned in 1978. Return to Parish Work
He resigned as Archbishop in 1978 and return to life as a parish priest at Street Mary"s Parish in Brampton, Ontario.
At Saint Mary"s Pocock remained active as a priest, celebrating mass, confirmations, and visiting a senior citizens" home. He was later given the title of Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto.
He died on September 6, 1984 and was interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill, Ontario.
During his time as Archbishop, Pocock established several institutions and charities:
Archdiocesan Pastoral Council and the Senate of Priests
improved Catholic education standards
create Sharelife - replacing the Council of Catholic Charities due to opposition to United Way"s support of Planned Parenthood clinics
lobbying for legislation against pornography
encouraging interfaith relations and activities
He encouraged the laity to become involved in church decisions, the liturgy, and charitable works. He helped consecrate two auxiliary bishops. Thomas B. Fulton and Aloysius Ambrozic, with the latter becoming Cardinal Archbishop of the diocese.