Edwin Frederick O'Brien

{{Short description|American Catholic prelate (born 1939)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = Cardinal | honorific-prefix = [[His Eminence]] | name = Edwin Frederick O'Brien | title = {{ubl | [[Cardinal priest]] of [[San Sebastiano al Palatino]] | [[Grand Masters and Lieutenancies of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre|Grand Master emeritus]] of the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Order of the Holy Sepulchre]] }} | image = Rome Consistory Cardinal O'Brien.jpg | alt = | caption = Cardinal O'Brien in 2012 | archdiocese = | church = {{ubl | [[Catholic Church]] | [[Latin Church]]}} | appointed = March 15, 2012 | retired = December 8, 2019 | predecessor = [[John Patrick Foley]] | successor = [[Fernando Filoni]] | other_post = | previous_post = {{indented plainlist| * [[Archbishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore|Baltimore]] (2007{{nbnd}}2011) * [[Archbishop]] for the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA|Military Services, USA]] (1997{{nbnd}}2007) * [[Auxiliary Bishop]] of [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|New York]] (1996{{nbnd}}1997) * [[Titular Bishop]] of [[Diocese of Thizica|Thizica]] (1996{{nbnd}}1997) * Rector, St. Joseph's Seminary (1994{{nbnd}}1997) * Rector, [[Pontifical North American College]] (1990{{nbnd}}1994) * [[Prelate of Honour of His Holiness]] (1986{{nbnd}}1996)<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=GCatholic.org |url=https://gcatholic.org/hierarchy/data/cardB16-4.htm#2005 |title=Cardinals Created by Benedict XVI (2012) |date= |accessdate=March 8, 2024}}</ref> * Rector, [[St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie|St. Joseph's Seminary]] (1985{{nbnd}}1989) }} | ordination = May 29, 1965 | ordained_by = [[Francis Spellman]] | consecration = March 25, 1996 | consecrated_by = [[John O'Connor (cardinal)|John Joseph O'Connor]] | cardinal = February 18, 2012 | created_cardinal_by = [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]] | rank = {{Ubl | [[Cardinal deacon]] (2012{{nbnd}}2022) | {{nowrap|[[Cardinal priest]] (2022{{nbnd}}present)}} }} | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1939|4|8}} | birth_place = [[The Bronx|Bronx, New York]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | coat_of_arms = | motto = {{langnf|la|Pastores dabo vobis|I will give you shepherds|break=yes}} [[Jeremiah 3]]:15 | module = }} {{Ordination | embed = no | expand = ALL | denomination = Catholic | name = | alternate name = | ordained deacon by = | date of diaconal ordination = | place of diaconal ordination = | ordained priest by = [[Francis Joseph Spellman]] | date of priestly ordination = May 29, 1965 | place of priestly ordination = [[St. Patrick's Cathedral (Midtown Manhattan)|St. Patrick's Cathedral]], [[Archdiocese of New York]] | consecrated by = [[John O'Connor (cardinal)|John Joseph O'Connor]] | co-consecrators = {{ubl | [[Patrick Joseph Thomas Sheridan]], | [[John Gavin Nolan]]}} | date of consecration = March 25, 1996 | place of consecration = [[St. Patrick's Cathedral (Midtown Manhattan)|St. Patrick's Cathedral]], [[Archdiocese of New York]] | elevated by = [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]] | date of elevation = February 18, 2012 | bishop 1 = [[John Joseph Kaising]] | consecration date 1 = 2000 | bishop 2 = [[Richard Brendan Higgins]] | consecration date 2 = 2004 | bishop 3 = [[Joseph Walter Estabrook]] | consecration date 3 = 2004 | sources = [[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]]<ref name="hierarchy"/> }} {{Infobox cardinal styles | cardinal name = Edwin Frederick O'Brien | image = Coat of arms of Edwin Frederick O'Brien, Grand Master Emeritus of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre.svg | image_size = 200px | dipstyle = [[His Eminence]] | offstyle = Your Eminence | relstyle = [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinal]] | See = [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore|Baltimore]] ([[Emeritus]]) }}

'''Edwin Frederick O'Brien''' (born April 8, 1939) is an [[Catholic Church in the United States|American Catholic]] prelate who headed the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Order of the Holy Sepulchre]] from 2011 to 2019. He previously served as [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore|archbishop of Baltimore]] in Maryland from 2007 to 2011 and as [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA|Archbishop of the Military Services, USA]], in Washington, D.C. from 1997 to 2007. He was an auxiliary bishop for the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|Archdiocese of New York]] from 1996 to 1997. O'Brien was made a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] in 2012.

==Early life and education== Edwin O'Brien was born on April 8, 1939, in the [[The Bronx|Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]], to Edwin Frederick Sr. and Mary Winifred O'Brien.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien - Biography |url=https://www.archbalt.org/our-bishops/cardinal-edwin-f-obrien/cardinal-edwin-f-obrien-biography/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Archdiocese of Baltimore |language=en-US}}</ref> One of three children, he had two brothers, Ken and Tom O'Brien, now deceased. O'Brien graduated from Our Lady of Solace Parish School in the Bronx in 1953 and attended [[John F. Kennedy Catholic High School (Somers, New York)|St. Mary's High School]] in [[Katonah, New York]] from 1953 to 1957.<ref name=":0" />

O'Brien entered [[St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie|St. Joseph's Seminary]] in Yonkers, New York in 1959, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts (1961), [[Master of Divinity]] (1964), and Master of Arts (1965) degrees.<ref name=":0" />

==Priesthood== O'Brien was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] to the priesthood at [[St. Patrick's Cathedral (Midtown Manhattan)|St. Patrick's Cathedral]] in Manhattan for the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|Archdiocese of New York]] by Cardinal [[Francis Spellman]] on May 29, 1965.<ref name=":0" />

O'Brien served as a civilian [[chaplain]] at the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point until 1970, when he enlisted in the [[US Army Chaplain Corps|U.S. Army Chaplain Corps]] with the rank of [[Captain (United States)|captain]].<ref name=":0" /> He took Army flight training with parachute jumping.<ref name="sun">{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |title=Edwin F. O'Brien: Highlights |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/religion-belief/christianity/roman-catholic/edwin-f.-obrien-PERLL000306.topic |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413125101/http://www.baltimoresun.com/topic/religion-belief/christianity/roman-catholic/edwin-f.-obrien-PERLL000306.topic |archivedate=April 13, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1970, O'Brien began serving as a chaplain at [[Fort Bragg (North Carolina)|Fort Bragg]] in North Carolina with the US Army [[82nd Airborne Division (United States)|82nd Airborne Division]].

O'Brien was sent to [[South Vietnam]] in 1971 during the [[Vietnam War]] with the US Army [[173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team (United States)|173rd Airborne Brigade]] and the [[3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (United States)|3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division]].<ref name="usccb">{{cite news|date=August 12, 1997|work=[[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]]|title=Pope Accepts Resignation of Archbishop Dimino; Names Archbishop O'Brien to Succeed Him in Military Archdiocese|url=http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/1997/97-171.shtml}}</ref> While in South Vietnam, O'Brien was based in the countryside and flew with a [[Protestantism|Protestant]] minister by helicopter to minister to soldiers.<ref name="baltimore">{{cite news |title=His Eminence Edwin Cardinal O'Brien |work=[[Archdiocese of Baltimore]] |url=http://archbalt.org/about-us/the-archdiocese/our-history/people/obrien.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204200832/http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/the-archdiocese/our-history/people/obrien.cfm |archive-date=February 4, 2013}}</ref> In 1972, O'Brien was transferred to Georgia, serving as post chaplain at [[Fort Gordon]] until his discharge from the service in 1973.

In 1973, Cardinal [[Terence Cooke]] sent O'Brien to study in Rome at the [[Pontifical North American College]] in Rome. He graduated from the [[Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)|Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas ''Angelicum'']] in Rome with a [[Doctor of Sacred Theology|Doctorate in Sacred Theology]] in 1976. His dissertation was titled ''The Origin and Development of Moral Principles in the Theology of [[Paul Ramsey (ethicist)|Paul Ramsey]]''.<ref name="baltimore" />

Returning to New York, O'Brien served as both the [[Chancellor (ecclesiastical)|vice-chancellor]] of the Archdiocese of New York and [[Curate|associate pastor]] at [[St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York|St. Patrick Cathedral Parish]] in Manhattan from 1976 to 1981.<ref name=":0" /> He coordinated [[Pope John Paul II]]'s visit to New York in 1979 and was the archdiocesan director of communications from 1981 to 1983.<ref name=":0" /> Between 1983 and 1985, O'Brien served as Cooke's priest-secretary, then for his successor, Cardinal [[John O'Connor (cardinal)|John O'Connor]].<ref name=":0" />

O'Brien was elevated by the Vatican to [[Monsignor|honorary prelate of his holiness]] in 1986.<ref name=":0" /> He served as [[Rector (ecclesiastical)|rector]] of St. Joseph's Seminary from 1985 to 1989, and of the Pontifical North American College from 1990 to 1994. Returning to New York, O'Brien served another term as rector of St. Joseph's from 1994 to 1997.<ref name="usccb" />

=== Auxiliary Bishop of New York === On February 6, 1996, John Paul II appointed O'Brien as [[auxiliary bishop]] of New York and titular bishop of [[Diocese of Thizica|Thizica]]I.<ref name="hierarchy">{{Cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=[[Catholic-Hierarchy.org]] |publisher=David M. Cheney |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bobrien.html |title=Edwin Frederick Cardinal O'Brien |date=February 25, 2024 |accessdate=March 8, 2024}}</ref> He received his [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|episcopal consecration]] on March 25, 1996, by Cardinal O'Connor, with bishops [[Patrick Joseph Thomas Sheridan|Patrick Sheridan]] and [[John Gavin Nolan|John Nolan]] serving as [[Consecrator|co-consecrators]], at St. Patrick's Cathedral.<ref name="hierarchy" /> O'Brien selected as his episcopal motto: {{lang|la|Pastores Dabo Vobis}}, meaning, "I will give you shepherds" [[Jeremiah 3]]:15.<ref name=":0" />

During this time, O’Brien continued to serve as rector of St. Joseph's Seminary. While serving there, he ordained (with Vatican permission) Reverend Eugene Hamilton, a 24-year old seminarian who was suffering from [[Terminal illness|terminal cancer.]] O'Connor had petitioned the Vatican for Hamilton's early ordination, which O'Brien officiated a few hours before Hamilton died.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kramer |first=Peter D. |title=Ordained only 3 hours, he is forever a priest |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/rockland/haverstraw/2017/01/18/ordained-only-3-hours-he-forever-priest/96356298/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=The Journal News |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Archbishop for the Military Services, USA=== [[File:Emil Kapaun.jpg|thumb|Reverend Kapaun (1950)]] On April 7, 1997, John Paul II appointed O'Brien as coadjutor archbishop for the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA|Archdiocese of the Military Services, USA]].<ref name=hierarchy/> He succeeded Archbishop [[Joseph Thomas Dimino|Joseph Dimino]] when he retired on August 12, 1997.<ref name="kapaun" />

During his ten years as archbishop, O'Brien divided his time between visiting American troops and working with the Pontifical North American College. In 1993, he initiated the [[Canonization|cause of canonization]] for Reverend [[Emil Kapaun]], a US Army chaplain killed while in North Korean captivity during the [[Korean War]].<ref name="kapaun">{{cite news|date=July 17, 2008 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=Canonization cause formally opened for Father Kapaun, Korean War hero |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0803715.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120515172523/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0803715.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 15, 2012 |last=Riggs |first=Christopher }}</ref>

From September 2005 to June 2006, O'Brien also served as the Vatican's coordinator for the papal [[Canonical Visitation|visitation]] of seminaries and houses of priestly formation.<ref name="visitation">{{cite news|date=September 16, 2006 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=Homosexuality question for seminary visitations sparks flap |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505289.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050917110757/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0505289.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 17, 2005 |last=Filteau |first=Jerry }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His report also called for a stronger focus on [[Ethics in religion|moral theology]], increased oversight of [[Seminary|seminarians]], and greater involvement of diocesan bishops in the formation process. He was recognized as being "instrumental in Catholic seminary reform in the wake of [[Catholic sex abuse cases|clergy sex abuse disclosures]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=CARDINAL EDWIN F. O'BRIEN |url=https://cathedralofmary.org/people/cardinal-edwin-f-obrien |access-date=October 27, 2023 |website=Cathedral of Mary Our Queen}}</ref>

In 2006, O'Brien noted that [[Opposition to the Iraq War|declining public support]] for the [[Iraq War]] was leading to a decrease in morale among the troops, adding, "The news only shows cars being blown up, but the soldiers see hospitals being built and schools opening."<ref name="iraq">{{cite news|date=December 14, 2006 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=Iraq: More deaths, few stories of hope leave many asking what's next |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0607121.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061230181130/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0607121.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 30, 2006 |last=Linskey |first=Regina }}</ref> By 2007, he believed that the status of US operations in Iraq "compels an assessment of our current circumstances and the continuing obligation of the Church to provide a moral framework for public discussion."<ref name="gotham">{{cite news|date=July 12, 2007|work=Whispers in the Loggia |title=Balto Goes Gotham|url=https://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2007/07/balto-goes-gotham.html|last=Palmo|first=Rocco}}</ref> O'Brien refused to "question the moral integrity of our military personnel," but added, <blockquote>"[O]ur nation must honestly assess what is achievable in Iraq using the traditional just war principles of 'probability of success' ... Our troops should remain in Iraq only as long as their presence contributes to a responsible transition."<ref name="gotham" /><ref name="war">{{cite news|date=May 30, 2007 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=U.S. must honestly assess what is achievable in Iraq, says archbishop |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703028.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118190435/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703028.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |last=Asher |first=Julie }}</ref></blockquote>O'Brien opposed the [[H.R. 5122 (2006)|National Defense Authorization Act of 2007]]. He said that it <blockquote>"would seek to impose a legislative mandate for military chaplains without considering the religious needs of all military members ... [and] may well result in less public prayer and marginalization of military chaplains."<ref name="act">{{cite news|date=October 4, 2006 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=Proposal on chaplains' prayers could hurt military, archbishop says |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0605633.htm |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20061010185320/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0605633.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2006 |last=O'Brien |first=Nancy Frazier }}</ref> </blockquote>He was appointed a member of the [[Congregation for Catholic Education]] in the [[Roman Curia]] in May 2007.<ref name="curia">{{cite news|date=May 24, 2007 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=Pope names North Americans to two Vatican offices |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20070524.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119042304/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20070524.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2013 }}</ref>

===Archbishop of Baltimore===

On July 12, 2007, Pope [[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]] appointed O'Brien as the 15th archbishop of Baltimore.<ref name=hierarchy/> Recalling the call he received from the [[Nunciature of the Holy See in Washington, D.C.|apostolic nunciature]], O'Brien immediately accepted the appointment and later remarked, "I guess that's one thing I take from the military. When you're given an order, you accept."<ref name=succeeds>{{cite news|date=July 12, 2007 |work=[[Catholic News Service]] |title=Cardinal Keeler retires; Archbishop O'Brien succeeds him in Baltimore |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703978.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119010617/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0703978.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 19, 2013 |last=O'Brien |first=Nancy Frazier }}</ref> He succeeded Cardinal [[William Henry Keeler|William Keeler]]. O'Brien was installed at the [[Cathedral of Mary Our Queen]] in Baltimore on October 1, 2007.

As head of the nation's oldest archdioceses, O'Brien held the status of ''[[primus inter pares]]'' in the American hierarchy. Commenting on O'Brien's appointment, ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' said, <blockquote>"He has leapt from military airplanes, served in jungles during the [[Vietnam War]] and travelled extensively to current battle zones in [[Afghanistan]] and Iraq. From his working-class roots ... to the upper echelons of Catholic power—carrying a Christian message of peace and love to some of the world's worst war-torn terrain".<ref name="military">{{cite news|date=July 13, 2007|access-date= April 6, 2019| work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]| url = https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2007-07-13-0707130198-story.html |title= O'Brien spent past decade ministering to military|last1=Donovan|first1=Doug |first2=Nicole |last2=Fuller}}</ref> </blockquote>Following his tour of the archdiocese, O'Brien lamented the amount of poverty and violence in [[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore]], saying, <blockquote>"I think anybody who wants to take a walk can find areas with very nice homes, well-kept lawns, good streets and sidewalks, and maybe 15 minutes later find themselves in a neighborhood that is just racked, torn apart, as if a war had just been fought."<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2008 |title=Baltimore's new archbishop talks about hopes, challenges |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20080111.htm |access-date=October 27, 2023 |publisher=Catholic News Service |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080521192957/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20080111.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref></blockquote>On June 29, 2008, Benedict XVI invested O'Brien with the [[pallium]], a [[vestment]] worn by [[metropolitan bishop]]s, at [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Rome.<ref name="pallium">{{cite news|date=June 30, 2008|work=[[Catholic News Service]]|title=Pope gives palliums to archbishops, says church's mission is to unite|url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0803436.htm|last=Glatz|first=Carol|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20080708205549/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0803436.htm|archive-date=July 8, 2008}}</ref> In October 2008, O'Brien dedicated the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden in Baltimore, which he called a "sanctuary in a suffering city."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden |url=https://www.archbalt.org/the-archdiocese/pope-john-paul-ii-prayer-garden/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Archdiocese of Baltimore |language=en-US}}</ref> O'Brien's three years and 11 months as archbishop was one of the briefest terms in Baltimore's history. While archbishop, he was Grand Prior of the Middle Atlantic USA Lieutenancy of the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Order of the Holy Sepulchre]] from 2007 to 2011.<ref>{{cite web |title=History of the Middle Atlantic Lieutenancy |url=https://www.midatlanticeohs.com/history-of-the-middle-atlantic-lieutenancy}}</ref>

In October 2008, O'Brien released a letter to the archdiocese regarding alleged visions of the [[Virgin Mary]] by [[Gianna Talone Sullivan]]. A clinical psychologist, Sullivan had been claiming these messages since 1989. In 2004, she started holding meetings of her followers at a farm in [[Taneytown, Maryland]], within the archdiocese. The [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]] at the Vatican had examined the situation and concluded that there were no supernatural communications. In his letter, O'Brien cautioned all Catholics involved with Sullivan that they were doing a disservice to the Catholic church by disseminating claims about her visions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Library : Baltimore Archbishop Enjoins Silence on Alleged Visionary |url=https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=8449 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=www.catholicculture.org}}</ref>

===Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem=== [[File:Edwin Frederick O'Brien.jpg|thumb|Cardinal Grand Master O'Brien, OESSH Pilgrimage, Rome, Italy (2013)]] On August 17, 2011, after Cardinal [[John Patrick Foley|John Foley]] reached the mandatory retirement age, Cardinal [[Cardinal Bertone|Tarcisio Bertone]] asked O'Brien during a visit to Rome if he would assume the position of [[Promagistrate|pro]]-[[Grand Master (order)|grand master]]. O'Brien accepted the position the next day and was appointed by Benedict XVI on August 29, 2011.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= April 8, 2019| title= Rinunce e Nomine, 29.08.2011 | language=it | date= 29 August 2011 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2011/08/29/0502/01216.html}}</ref>

Benedict XVI elevated O'Brien to cardinal on February 18, 2012. O'Brien was created cardinal-deacon of [[San Sebastiano al Palatino]], the same [[titular church]] previously held by Foley. O'Brien was named grand master of the [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem]] on March 15, 2012.<ref>{{cite press release | publisher = Holy See Press Office | access-date = April 6, 2019 | date= March 15, 2012 | url = http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2012/03/15/0154/00359.html| language = it | title = Rinunce e Nomine, 15.03.2012}}</ref><ref name="cns">{{cite news | last= Pattison | first=Mark |date=January 6, 2012 | title =Cardinal-designate O'Brien used to new and varied assignments | agency = Catholic News Service |access-date = January 7, 2012 |url = https://www.archbalt.org/cardinal-designate-obrien-used-to-new-and-varied-assignments/| work = Catholic Review }}</ref>

On April 21, 2012, O'Brien was appointed a member of the [[Congregation for the Oriental Churches]] and the [[Pontifical Council Cor Unum|Pontifical Council ''Cor Unum'']].<ref>{{cite press release | publisher= Holy See Press Office | access-date= April 8, 2019| title= Rinunce e Nomine, 21.04.2012 | language=it | date= 21 April 2012 | url= http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2012/04/21/0225/00521.html}}</ref> He participated in the [[Papal conclave, 2013|2013 papal conclave]] that elected [[Pope Francis]].<ref>{{cite news| url = https://zenit.org/articles/list-of-cardinal-electors/ | work = Zenit | access-date = April 6, 2019 | date= March 12, 2013 | title = List of Cardinal Electors}}</ref>

Francis accepted O'Brien's resignation as grand master on December 8, 2019.<ref>{{cite press release | access-date = December 8, 2019 | date = December 8, 2019 | url = https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/12/08/0978/02005.html | language = it | title = Rinunce e Nomine, 08.12.2019 | publisher = Holy See Press Office}}</ref> On March 4, 2022, he was elevated to the rank of [[cardinal-priest]].<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Ordinary Public Consistory for the vote on some Causes for Canonization |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/03/04/220304b.html |access-date=4 March 2022 | publisher = Holy See Press Office | date = 4 March 2022}}</ref>

==Views== ===Abortion=== O'Brien opposes abortion, calling it the "greatest civil issue of our time" and saying, <blockquote>"[The [[right to life]]] will determine whether America remains a hospitable society: committed to caring for women in crisis and their unborn children; committed to caring for those with special needs; committed to caring for the elderly and the dying; or whether America betrays our heritage and the truths on which its founders staked its claim to independence."<ref name="whispers">{{cite news|date=October 1, 2008|work=Whispers in the Loggia|title=O'Brien O'Baltimore: The Maryland Tradition, Vol. XV, Day One|url=https://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2007/10/obrien-obaltimore-maryland-tradition.html|last=Palmo|first=Rocco}}</ref> </blockquote>During the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 US presidential election]], O'Brien lamented that the "clear and unchanged teaching of our Church from its earliest days has been so distorted in political debate and commentary."<ref name="loggia">{{cite news|date=October 15, 2008|work=Whispers in the Loggia|title=The Way of Life|url=https://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2008/10/way-of-life.html|last=Palmo|first=Rocco}}</ref> This was an indirect criticism of remarks made by US House Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] and Senator [[Joe Biden]] concerning the Catholic Church's position on abortion.

In March 2009, O'Brien said he was both "disappointed and bewildered" by the decision of the [[University of Notre Dame]] to invited US President [[Barack Obama]] deliver the commencement speech and receive an [[honorary degree]] at the university's graduation ceremony. This was because of Obama's support for [[Abortion-rights movements|abortion rights]] for women and [[embryonic stem cell]] research (which the Catholic Church opposed).<ref name="obama">{{cite news |date=April 7, 2009 |work=The Catholic Review |title=Archbishop is 'disappointed,' 'bewildered' by honor to Obama |url=http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyarchnew.aspx?action=5978 | last=Matysek | first=George P Jr. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413182231/http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/storyarchnew.aspx?action=5978 |archive-date=April 13, 2009 }}</ref>

===Capital punishment=== In 2008, O'Brien expressed his opposition to [[capital punishment]], citing John Paul II's encyclical ''[[Evangelium Vitae]]'', although he had previously "thought it served a purpose."<ref name=testimony>{{cite news|date=August 19, 2008|work=[[Archdiocese of Baltimore]]|title=Death Penalty – Testimony of Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien|url=https://www.archbalt.org/about-us/our-bishops/cardinal-obrien/homilies/death-penalty.cfm|access-date=March 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130205061844/http://www.archbalt.org/about-us/our-bishops/cardinal-obrien/homilies/death-penalty.cfm|archive-date=February 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[File:Palvaro.jpg|thumb|265x265px|Reverend Alvaro Corcuera (1985)]]

===Legion of Christ=== [[File:Fr. Marcial Maciel LC Late 2004.jpg|thumb|Reverend Maciel (2004)]] {{Main|Legion of Christ}} As archbishop of Baltimore, O'Brien was an outspoken critic of the [[Legion of Christ]], a religious order founded in Mexico.<ref name="legionaries">{{cite news |last=Allen, Jr. |first=John |date=June 12, 2008 |title=Baltimore archbishop demands greater accountability from Legionaries of Christ |work=[[National Catholic Reporter]] |url=http://ncronline.org/node/1237}}</ref><ref name=concern>{{cite news|date=February 25, 2009|work=[[National Catholic Reporter]]|title=Baltimore archbp concerned about Legionaries|url=http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/baltimore-archbp-concerned-about-legionaries|last=Matysek, Jr.|first=George P}}</ref><ref name=abolition>{{cite news|date=April 3, 2009|work=[[National Catholic Reporter]]|title=Abolition of Legionaries should be 'on the table'|url=http://ncronline.org/news/abolition-legionaries-should-be-table|last=Allen, Jr.|first=John Allen}}</ref> He condemned the Legion in 2008 for its alleged practice of "blind allegiance" to its leaders and its "heavily persuasive methods on young people, especially high schoolers, regarding vocations."<ref name="restrictions">{{cite news |last=Allen, Jr. |first=John |date=June 27, 2008 |title=Legionaries of Christ: Legionaries face restrictions in Baltimore |url=http://ncronline.org/node/1257 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103041705/http://ncronline.org/node/1257 |archive-date=November 3, 2010 |access-date=April 10, 2009 |work=[[National Catholic Reporter]]}}</ref><ref name=legionaries/> He called for greater "transparency and accountability" from the Legion and its lay arm, [[Regnum Christi]], including both consecrated and non-consecrated members.<ref name="legionaries" />

O'Brien wanted to expel the Legion from the archdiocese, but was dissuaded by the Vatican. Instead, he wrote in June 2008 to Superior General [[Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del Río]] of the Legion, asking for controls on their operations in the archdiocese. As a result, Martínez del Río directed the Legion and Regnum Christi chapters in the archdiocese to disclose all their activities to O'Brien. He also directed them to stop providing [[spiritual direction]] to anyone under age 18.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Archbishop of Baltimore asks Legionaries to report area activities |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/12911/archbishop-of-baltimore-asks-legionaries-to-report-area-activities |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2009, the Legion of Christ superiors acknowledged that their founder, Reverend [[Marcial Maciel]], had engaged in "inappropriate" behavior. This included including [[Drug abuse|drug]] and [[Catholic sex abuse cases|sexual abuse]] as well as the fathering a child.<ref name=osv>{{cite news|date=February 22, 2009 |work=Our Sunday Visitor |title=Revelations of founder's double life rocks religious order |url=http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/4428/Revelations-of-founders-double-life-rocks-religio.aspx |last=Alessi |first=Scott |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716032222/http://www.osv.com/tabid/7621/itemid/4428/Revelations-of-founders-double-life-rocks-religio.aspx |archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref name=cna>{{cite news|date=February 3, 2009|work=[[Catholic News Agency]]|title=Legionaries of Christ acknowledge founder's 'inappropriate' behavior|url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/14969/legionaries-of-christ-acknowledge-founders-inappropriate-behavior|access-date=April 10, 2009|archive-date=February 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207044410/http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14969|url-status=live}}</ref> O'Brien said that the Legion must offer "full disclosure of [Maciel's] activities and those who are complicit in them, or knew of them, and of those who are still refusing to offer disclosure," adding that the institute's finances should also be subject to "objective scrutiny."<ref name=abolition/>

O'Brien called Maciel "a man with an entrepreneurial genius who, by systematic deception and duplicity, used our faith to manipulate others for his own selfish ends."<ref name="concern" /> O'Brien welcomed the Vatican's decision in March 2009 to conduct an [[apostolic visitation]] of the Legion and said that its abolition "should be on the table."<ref name="abolition" />{{efn|In 2010 the Vatican agreed to a request by the consecrated lay branch for their own Apostolic Visitator: "The Holy Father will send a visitator to the consecrated members of the "Regnum Christi" Movement, who have insistently requested this."<ref>{{cite press release |publisher=Holy See Press Office | date= May 1, 2010 |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2010/05/01/0266/00615.html | title= Comunicato della Santa Sede, 01.05.2010| access-date=April 8, 2019 }}</ref> At their own request, all the lay consecrated have become more autonomous. In 2013 they elected a general director and a five-woman council, each with a term of six years. They have developed an eight-year discernment process for consecrated women.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christendom.edu/news/2015/6-26-graduate-students-help-with-renewal-religious-order.php |title=Graduate students help with renewal of religious order |access-date=June 26, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703221754/http://www.christendom.edu/news/2015/6-26-graduate-students-help-with-renewal-religious-order.php |archive-date=July 3, 2015 }}</ref>}}In 2009, O'Brien criticized the lack of "respect for human dignity for each of its members" from the Legion<ref name="concern" />

The Legion subsequently experienced decreasing enrollment in the archdiocese, leading to the closure in 2011 of its [[Woodmont Academy]] in [[Cooksville, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web |date=April 12, 2011 |title=Woodmont Academy to close due to enrollment issues |url=http://catholicreview.org/article/work/woodmont-academy-to-close-due-to-enrollment-issues |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426001341/http://catholicreview.org/article/work/woodmont-academy-to-close-due-to-enrollment-issues |archive-date=April 26, 2017 |access-date=April 12, 2011 |website=Catholic Review}}</ref>

=== LGBTQ === In 2005, O'Brien expressed his personal opposition to admitting [[gay men]] to seminaries, a position he said was "based on 12 years' experience as rector of two U.S. seminaries".<ref name="gays">{{cite news |date=September 7, 2005 |title=Archbishop: Seminaries should not accept even celibate homosexuals |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20050907.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050908065351/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20050907.htm |archive-date=September 8, 2005 |work=[[Catholic News Service]]}}</ref><ref name="seminary">{{cite news |date=September 30, 2005 |title=Archbishop says he's not speaking for Vatican on gays in seminaries |url=http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20050930.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20051005231959/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/briefs/cns/20050930.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2005 |work=[[Catholic News Service]]}}</ref>

O'Brien led a successful campaign in 2011 to defeat a bill in the Maryland [[General assembly|General Assembly]] to legalize [[same-sex marriage]].

===Just War===

O'Brien has been an outspoken proponent of the [[just war theory]]. Sometimes called the "Warrior Cardinal", he is seen as a controversial figure and is considered to have given moral justifications for the [[Iraq War|2003 US invasion in Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Doran |first=Andrew |date=May 9, 2013 |title=How the Iraq War Became a War on Christians |work=The American Conservative |url=http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/how-the-iraq-war-became-a-war-on-christians/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=April 29, 2013 |title=Christianity Could Become Extinct in Iraq as Islamists Drive Out Believers |work=Charisma News |url=http://www.charismanews.com/world/39275-christianity-could-become-extinct-in-iraq-as-islamists}}</ref> Early in 2003, O'Brien spoke to Catholic members of the corps of cadets at the [[United States Military Academy|United States Military Academy at West Point]] during a mass: <blockquote>"I know that a lot of people have said that the Pope is against war with Iraq ... But even if he did, you are not bound by conscience to obey his opinion. However, you are bound in conscience to obey the orders of your Commander-in-Chief, and if he orders you to go to war, it is your duty to go to war".<ref>{{cite news|date=November 19, 2015|title=What are we doing to halt this genocide? |url=https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/what-are-we-doing-to-halt-this-genocide/ | work=The Catholic Weekly | access-date=April 8, 2019}}</ref></blockquote>In March 2003, a few days after the Iraq invasion, in a letter to American Catholic military chaplains, O'Brien wrote: <blockquote>"Given the complexity of factors involved, many of which understandably remain confidential, it is altogether appropriate for members of our armed forces to presume the integrity of our [military] leadership and its judgments, and therefore to carry out their military duties in good conscience ... It is to be hoped that all factors which have led to our intervention will eventually be made public, and ... will shed helpful light upon our President's decision".<ref>{{cite news|date=March 25, 2003 |title=Letter from Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien |url=http://old.usccb.org/sdwp/peace/obrien.shtml |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110801161826/http://old.usccb.org/sdwp/peace/obrien.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 1, 2011 }}</ref> </blockquote>O'Brien did not endorse the Iraq war or the motivations behind it. Supporters of the war in Iraqi cited his positions.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 2006|title=Authority, Lies, and War : Democracy and the Development of Just War Theory (in "Theological Studies"; Vol. 67, Issue 2, page 388)|url=http://www.ts.mu.edu/readers/content/pdf/67/67.2/67.2.6.pdf}}</ref> He was criticized in 2003 and 2004 by opponents of the war for distancing himself from the pope's position<ref>{{cite news |last=Cavanaugh |first=William T. |date=May 23, 2003 |title=At Odds with the Pope: Legitimate Authority & Just Wars |work=Selected Works of William Cavanaugh - DePaul University |url=http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1152&context=william_cavanaugh}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=Easter 2003 |title=The Pope, the President, and How U.S. Catholics Engaged the War Effort |volume=2-2 |pages=4–5 |work=Sign of Peace - Journal of the Catholic Peace Fellowship |publisher=Catholic Peace Fellowship |url=http://www.catholicpeacefellowship.org/downloads/Easter03.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Laffin |first=Art |date=December 24, 2004 |title=Bishops called to speak out against Iraq war |work=National Catholic Reporter |url=http://natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2004d/122404/122404r.htm |access-date=October 27, 2023}}</ref> and that of the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops]].<ref>{{cite news|date=February 15, 2003 |title=Statement of Most Rev. Arthur N. Tafoya, Bishop of Pueblo |url=http://old.usccb.org/sdwp/peace/tafoya.shtml |quote= A preemptive war against Iraq is an unjust war. |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20110801161945/http://old.usccb.org/sdwp/peace/tafoya.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 1, 2011 }}</ref>

According to the journalist Sabrina Ferrisi in a 2009 article, O'Brien's spiritual direction proved effective in calming the doubts of soldiers, advising them that they can safely leave the responsibility for moral decision-making to the US Government.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ferrisi |first=Sabrina Arena |date=February 1, 2009 |title=Winning the war on terror |work=Legatus Magazine |url=https://legatus.org/hearts-minds/ |url-status=dead |access-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408004310/https://legatus.org/hearts-minds/ |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |quote=}}</ref> O'Brien believes that chaplains play an essential role in helping soldiers perform their fighting duties with a clear conscience,<ref>{{cite news|date=November 17, 2008|title=The Chaplain's Dilemma: Can pastors in the military serve God and government?|url=http://americamagazine.org/issue/676/article/chaplains-dilemma | work=[[America (magazine)|America]] |first=Tom | last=Cornell}}</ref> and in easing relationships with local populations and to avoid such gross misconduct as the torture of prisoners at the [[Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse|Abu Ghraib]] prison in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web | website=Catholic Culture |date=October 25, 2007|title=The Role of Military Chaplains| url=http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7949 | first= Edwin F. |last=O'Brien }}</ref>

In July 2009, at the [[United States Strategic Command|U.S. Strategic Command]] Deterrence Symposium, O'Brien provided his view on just war theories, saying "The moral end we seek ought to shape the means we use", that the U.S. must "move beyond nuclear deterrence as rapidly as possible". He urged world leaders to "stay focused on the destination of a nuclear-weapons-free world and on the concrete steps that lead there."<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Brien |first=Edwin |date=July 30, 2009 |title=Nuclear Weapons and Moral Questions: The Path to Zero |work=National Catholic Reporter |url=http://ncronline.org/news/peace-justice/nuclear-weapons-and-moral-questions-path-zero |url-status=dead |access-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019142305/http://ncronline.org/news/peace-justice/nuclear-weapons-and-moral-questions-path-zero |archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=July 30, 2009|title=U.S. must quickly move beyond nuclear deterrence, Archbishop O'Brien urges| work=Catholic News Agency | url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/16717/us-must-quickly-move-beyond-nuclear-deterrence-archbishop-obrien-urges}}</ref>

O'Brien in 2010 complained that too few Catholics priests were serving in active duty, being replaced by chaplains of other faiths because the military disregarded the significance of denominational affiliation.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 4, 2010 |title=Dismissing Priests? |url=https://www.archbalt.org/dismissing-priests/ |work=Catholic Review |publisher=Archdiocese of Baltimore}}</ref>

In September 2013, when Obama was considering the use of military force against the [[Bashar al-Assad|Bashar al-Assad regime]] in [[Syria]], O'Brien said that "whatever we do will contribute to peace in that part of the world".<ref>{{cite news |last=Glatz |first=Carol |date=September 5, 2013 |title=Cardinal O'Brien says Syria needs urgent prayer |work=Catholic Herald |url=http://www.catholicherald.com/stories/Cardinal-OBrien-says-Syria-needs-prayer-,23924 |url-status=dead |access-date=October 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019140815/http://www.catholicherald.com/stories/Cardinal-OBrien-says-Syria-needs-prayer-,23924 |archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> This position contradicted the views of the hierarchy of the [[Catholic Church in Syria]].<ref>{{cite news|date=August 28, 2013|title=U.S. Military Action in Syria Could Spark World War, Syrian Bishop Warns|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/u.s.-military-action-in-syria-could-spark-world-war-syrian-bishop-warns/|work=National Catholic Register|access-date=October 18, 2013|archive-date=October 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024084605/http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/u.s.-military-action-in-syria-could-spark-world-war-syrian-bishop-warns/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Immigration === O'Brien in 2011 expressed his support of the Maryland DREAM Act, which provided free college tuition to certain undocumented immigrants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=George P. Matysek |date=2012-02-23 |title=Cardinal O’Brien reflects on joys and challenges of his Baltimore years |url=https://catholicreview.org/cardinal-obrien-reflects-on-joys-and-challenges-of-his-baltimore-years/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Catholic Review |language=en-US}}</ref> During a meeting on immigration that was sponsored by the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2012, O'Brien made these remarks;<blockquote>We acknowledge that our nation must protect and keep its borders. But we also suggest a more fundamental principle that when the basic needs of a person do not find an answer in their own country, these persons have the right to seek a solution outside, in order to support themselves and their families.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=The Reality of Immigration |url=https://pvm.archchicago.org/documents/87254/685353/Formation_Bk_02_Rev_08_Layout++1.pdf/0cd504ee-0ee0-40d1-aeb8-7fdb86e35869 |access-date=November 19, 2025 |website=Office for Human Dignity & Solidarity—Immigration Ministry, Archdiocese of Chicago}}</ref></blockquote>

=== Middle East === In 2018, O'Brien criticized a bill passed by the [[Israeli Knesset]] that removed Arabic as an official language in Israel and allowed majority-Jewish communities to discriminate against Israeli Arabs in housing.

==See also== {{div col|colwidth=25em}} * [[Catholic Church in the United States]] * [[Chaplain Corps (United States Army)]] * [[Hierarchy of the Catholic Church]] * [[List of Catholic bishops in the United States#Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA|List of Catholic bishops of the United States: military service]] * [[Military chaplain]] * [[Religious symbolism in the United States military]] * [[United States military chaplains]] {{div col end}}

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{wikiquote}} {{commons category}} * "[https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_obrien_ef.html O'Brien Card. Edwin Frederick]". [[Holy See Press Office]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160919105235/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_obrien_ef.html Archived] from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2017. * [http://www.archbalt.org Archdiocese of Baltimore] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014224005/http://milarch.org/archbishop/arch_bio.html O'Brien profile at Archdiocese for the Military Services] (archive copy) * [http://www.milarch.org/ Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA], official website * [https://gcatholic.org/hierarchy/data/cardB16-4.htm#2005 Profile of Cardinal Edwin Frederick O’Brien] at [https://gcatholic.org GCatholic.org]

{{s-start}} {{s-aca}} {{s-bef|before=[[Lawrence M. Purcell]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Pontifical North American College#Rectors|Rector of the Pontifical North American College]]|years=1990–1994}} {{s-aft|after=[[Timothy M. Dolan]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-bef|before=[[John Patrick Foley]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[File:Croix de l Ordre du Saint-Sepulcre.svg|20px]] [[Order of the Holy Sepulchre (Catholic)|Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem]]|years=2011 - 2019}} {{s-aft|after=[[Fernando Filoni]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[William Henry Keeler]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore|Archbishop of Baltimore]]|years=2007–2011}} {{s-aft|after=[[William E. Lori]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Joseph Thomas Dimino]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services|Archbishop for the Military Services]] |years=1997 – 2007}} {{s-aft|after=[[Timothy Broglio]]}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before= - }} {{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York|Auxiliary Bishop of New York]] |years=1996 – 1997}} {{s-aft|after= - }} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=[[Alfonso Nava Carreón]] ''Bishop of Tizica''}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Diocese of Thizica|Titular Archbishop of Thizica]] |years=1996 – 1998}} {{s-aft|after=[[Louis Dicaire]] ''Bishop of Thizica''}} {{s-break}} {{s-end}}

{{Cardinals created by Benedict XVI}} {{US-RC-cardinals}} {{Cardinals of the Catholic Church}} {{RC Archdiocese of Baltimore}} {{Roman Catholic Military Ordinariates}} {{Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York}} {{portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|Maryland|New York City}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Obrien, Edwin Frederick}} [[Category:1939 births]] [[Category:21st-century American cardinals]] [[Category:American Roman Catholic clergy of Irish descent]] [[Category:Cardinals created by Pope Benedict XVI]] [[Category:Catholics from New York (state)]] [[Category:Grand Masters of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre]] [[Category:Grand Priors of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre]] [[Category:Members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Members of the Congregation for Catholic Education]] [[Category:Members of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches]] [[Category:People from Katonah, New York]] [[Category:Pontifical North American College alumni]] [[Category:Pontifical North American College rectors]] [[Category:Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas alumni]] [[Category:Religious leaders from the Bronx]] [[Category:Roman Catholic archbishops of Baltimore]] [[Category:Saint Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie) alumni]] [[Category:United States Army chaplains]] [[Category:United States Army officers]] [[Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War]] [[Category:United States Military Academy faculty]] [[Category:Vietnam War chaplains]]