George Joseph Lucas
Encyclopedia
George Joseph Lucas is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the fifth and current Archbishop of Omaha
, having previously served as Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
from 1999 to 2009.
, Missouri
, as the eldest of the four children of George and Mary (née Kelly) Lucas; he has one sister, Catherine, and two brothers, James and John. He attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary South from 1963 to 1967, and then Cardinal Glennon College until 1971, whence he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy
. Lucas studied theology
at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
from 1971 to 1975, and was ordained
to the priesthood
by John Cardinal Carberry on May 24, 1975.
He then served as associate pastor
of St. Justin Martyr Church in Sunset Hills
until 1980, and of St. Dismas Church in Florissant
until 1981. Whilst part-time associate pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in St. Louis (1981-1984) and of Ascension Church in Normandy
(1984-1986), Lucas furthered his studies at St. Louis University
from 1982 to 1986, there earning his Master's degree
in History
. He was a professor
(1981-1987) and vice-principal
(1982-1987) at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary North as well.
Lucas was also part-time associate pastor at St. Ann Church in Normandy (1986-1989) and St. Peter Church in Kirkwood
(1989-1990). In 1987, he began teaching at the newly-merged St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, becoming its Dean
of Students that same year.
From 1990 to 1994, he served as Chancellor
of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
and private secretary
to Archbishop John May
. Lucas was raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness
on September 5, 1994, and was vicar general
of St. Louis for a year before becoming rector
of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in 1995. He was a member of the Priests' Personnel Board of St. Louis from 1987 to 1990, being named its Secretary
in 1988. He also sat on the editorial board
of the archdiocesan
newspaper
The St. Louis Review (1988-1999), the Board of Directors
(1990-1995) and Board of Trustees
(1990-1999) of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, and the Council of Priests of St. Louis (1994-1999).
On October 19, 1999, Lucas was appointed the eighth Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following December 14 from Francis Cardinal George, OMI
, with Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
and Bishop Daniel L. Ryan
serving as co-consecrators
.
Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
, Lucas sits on the Subcommittee on the Catechism and Sapientia Christiana Committee.
On June 3, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI
named Lucas the fifth Archbishop of Omaha
, Nebraska
. He succeeded Elden Francis Curtiss
, and was installed
at St. Cecilia Cathedral
on July 22, 2009, by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Archbishop Pietro Sambi
, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See
to the United States. In attendance was Archbishop Emeritus Curtiss (his predecessor in Omaha), and Their Eminences, Cardinals Francis Eugene George, OMI (of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the metropolitan see of Illinois, where Archbishop Lucas's previous post was) and Justin Francis Rigali of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (he had been Archbishop Lucas's superior when Lucas was a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis). As Archbishop, Lucas serves as the spiritual leader of 220,000 Catholics in Nebraska.
He received the pallium
, a vestment
worn by metropolitan bishop
s, from Benedict XVI on June 29, 2009, in a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica
.
Archbishop Lucas suppressed the Association of the Faithful titled "Intercessors of the Lamb
" in October 2010 after the civil board "Intercessors, Inc." opposed his request for reforms. This came after the initial report of a canonical visitation
conducted by Father James Conn, a noted Canon Lawyer. The visit was a necessary step after a request by the founder, Nadine Brown, to have the group made a full religious institute. Many discrepancies and issues were uncovered during the visitation, which led to Brown's resignation. Currently, 56 of the 68 members are residing together under the protection and guidance of the Archbishop, known as Intercessor Relief http://www.intercessorrelief.com/. They are currently discerning their future and the possibility of beginning a new order/association with the guidance of Archbishop Lucas. Ten members continue to reside at their community of "Bellwether".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He is the fifth and current Archbishop of Omaha
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the midwestern region of the United States. Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss...
, having previously served as Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the south central Illinois region of the United States...
from 1999 to 2009.
Biography
George Lucas was born in St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, as the eldest of the four children of George and Mary (née Kelly) Lucas; he has one sister, Catherine, and two brothers, James and John. He attended St. Louis Preparatory Seminary South from 1963 to 1967, and then Cardinal Glennon College until 1971, whence he obtained his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy
Bachelor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Philosophy is the title of an academic degree. The degree usually involves considerable research, either through a thesis or supervised research projects...
. Lucas studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Kenrick-Glennon Seminary
Kenrick–Glennon Seminary is a private not-for-profit Roman Catholic Seminary located in Shrewsbury, Missouri in St. Louis County. The Seminary is named after Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick and Cardinal John J. Glennon, former Archbishops of Saint Louis. The Seminary traces its origins to the...
from 1971 to 1975, and was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by John Cardinal Carberry on May 24, 1975.
He then served as associate pastor
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
of St. Justin Martyr Church in Sunset Hills
Sunset Hills, Missouri
Sunset Hills is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 8,496 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Sunset Hills is located at 38°32'8" North, 90°24'14" West ....
until 1980, and of St. Dismas Church in Florissant
Florissant, Missouri
Florissant is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The city has a total population of 52,158 in 2010 census.-History:...
until 1981. Whilst part-time associate pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in St. Louis (1981-1984) and of Ascension Church in Normandy
Normandy, Missouri
Normandy is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 5,008 at the 2010 census.-History:The town is on land once owned by Charles Lucas. Lucas obtained property from the federal government with land grants, and he purchased the land from victims of the New Madrid...
(1984-1986), Lucas furthered his studies at St. Louis University
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 28 member institutions of the...
from 1982 to 1986, there earning his Master's degree
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
. He was a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
(1981-1987) and vice-principal
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
(1982-1987) at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary North as well.
Lucas was also part-time associate pastor at St. Ann Church in Normandy (1986-1989) and St. Peter Church in Kirkwood
Kirkwood, Missouri
Kirkwood is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 27,540. Founded in 1853, the city is named for James Pugh Kirkwood, builder of the Pacific Railroad through that town. It was the first planned suburb located west...
(1989-1990). In 1987, he began teaching at the newly-merged St. Louis Preparatory Seminary, becoming its Dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of Students that same year.
From 1990 to 1994, he served as Chancellor
Chancellor (ecclesiastical)
Two quite distinct officials of some Christian churches have the title Chancellor.*In some churches, the Chancellor of a diocese is a lawyer who represents the church in legal matters....
of the Archdiocese of St. Louis
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Louis
The Archdiocese of St. Louis is the Roman Catholic archdiocese that covers the City of St. Louis as well as the following Missouri counties: Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Perry, Saint Charles, Saint Francois, Ste. Genevieve, St...
and private secretary
Personal assistant
A personal assistant or personal aide is someone who assists in daily business or personal tasks. It is common in design to have a PDA, or personal design assistant....
to Archbishop John May
John L. May
John Lawrence May was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Mobile and Archbishop of St. Louis .-Early life and education:...
. Lucas was raised to the rank of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness
Monsignor
Monsignor, pl. monsignori, is the form of address for those members of the clergy of the Catholic Church holding certain ecclesiastical honorific titles. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian monsignore, from the French mon seigneur, meaning "my lord"...
on September 5, 1994, and was vicar general
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of St. Louis for a year before becoming rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in 1995. He was a member of the Priests' Personnel Board of St. Louis from 1987 to 1990, being named its Secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
in 1988. He also sat on the editorial board
Editorial board
The editorial board is a group of people, usually at a publication, who dictate the tone and direction the publication's editorial policy will take.- Board makeup :...
of the archdiocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
The St. Louis Review (1988-1999), the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
(1990-1995) and Board of Trustees
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
(1990-1999) of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, and the Council of Priests of St. Louis (1994-1999).
On October 19, 1999, Lucas was appointed the eighth Bishop of Springfield in Illinois
Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the south central Illinois region of the United States...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following December 14 from Francis Cardinal George, OMI
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate is a missionary religious congregation in the Catholic Church. It was founded on January 25, 1816 by Saint Eugene de Mazenod, a French priest born in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France on August 1, 1782. The congregation was given recognition by Pope...
, with Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
Gabriel Montalvo Higuera was born in Bogotá, Colombia. He was an archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, and was the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 1998 until 2005.- Ministry and Assignments:...
and Bishop Daniel L. Ryan
Daniel L. Ryan
Daniel Leo Ryan is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Springfield in Illinois from 1984 to 1999.-Biography:...
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
.
Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
, Lucas sits on the Subcommittee on the Catechism and Sapientia Christiana Committee.
On June 3, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
named Lucas the fifth Archbishop of Omaha
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha is a particular church of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the midwestern region of the United States. Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. He succeeded Elden Francis Curtiss
Elden Francis Curtiss
Elden Francis Curtiss is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Helena from 1976 to 1993, and Archbishop of Omaha from 1993 to 2009.-Early life and ministry:...
, and was installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
at St. Cecilia Cathedral
St. Cecilia Cathedral
St. Cecilia Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Located at 701 North 40th Street in the Gold Coast Historic District, the Cathedral was ranked as one of the ten largest in the United States when it was completed in 1959...
on July 22, 2009, by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Archbishop Pietro Sambi
Pietro Sambi
Pietro Sambi was an Italian Roman Catholic prelate who served in the Vatican's Secretariat of State. At the time of his death, he was the Titular Archbishop of Bellicastrum and the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States....
, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
to the United States. In attendance was Archbishop Emeritus Curtiss (his predecessor in Omaha), and Their Eminences, Cardinals Francis Eugene George, OMI (of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the metropolitan see of Illinois, where Archbishop Lucas's previous post was) and Justin Francis Rigali of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (he had been Archbishop Lucas's superior when Lucas was a priest of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis). As Archbishop, Lucas serves as the spiritual leader of 220,000 Catholics in Nebraska.
He received the pallium
Pallium
The pallium is an ecclesiastical vestment in the Roman Catholic Church, originally peculiar to the Pope, but for many centuries bestowed by him on metropolitans and primates as a symbol of the jurisdiction delegated to them by the Holy See. In that context it has always remained unambiguously...
, a vestment
Vestment
Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religion, especially among Latin Rite and other Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans...
worn by metropolitan bishop
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
s, from Benedict XVI on June 29, 2009, in a ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
.
Archbishop Lucas suppressed the Association of the Faithful titled "Intercessors of the Lamb
Intercessors of the Lamb
The Hermit Intercessors of the Lamb was a Roman Catholic Association of priests, brothers, nuns, and lay people, based in Nebraska, United States. The organization was suppressed by Omaha Archbishop George Joseph Lucas in 2010.-History:...
" in October 2010 after the civil board "Intercessors, Inc." opposed his request for reforms. This came after the initial report of a canonical visitation
Canonical Visitation
A canonical visitation is the act of an ecclesiastical superior who in the discharge of his office visits persons or places with a view of maintaining faith and discipline, and of correcting abuses by the application of proper remedies.-Catholic usage:...
conducted by Father James Conn, a noted Canon Lawyer. The visit was a necessary step after a request by the founder, Nadine Brown, to have the group made a full religious institute. Many discrepancies and issues were uncovered during the visitation, which led to Brown's resignation. Currently, 56 of the 68 members are residing together under the protection and guidance of the Archbishop, known as Intercessor Relief http://www.intercessorrelief.com/. They are currently discerning their future and the possibility of beginning a new order/association with the guidance of Archbishop Lucas. Ten members continue to reside at their community of "Bellwether".