The Archbishop of Baltimore, Most Rev. Edwin F. O'Brien
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Archdiocese of Baltimore
320 Cathedral St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Phone: 410-547-5437
Fax: 410-727-8234
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Baltimore’s O’Brien draws respect across party lines READ MORE
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15th Archbishop of Baltimore
Motto: Pastores Dabo Vobis "I will give you shepherds" –Jeremiah 3:15
Edwin Frederick O’Brien was born April 8, 1939 in the Bronx, New York, son of Edwin Frederick O’
Brien, Sr. and Mary Winifred O’Brien. He was one of three children, including brothers Ken and Tom
(now both deceased). He attended St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, where he received his
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961, a Master of Divinity in 1964, and a Master of Arts degree in 1965.
He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of New York on May 29, 1965 by Francis Cardinal
Spellman.
His first assignment was as a civilian chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point,
New York. He would later be commissioned to become a military chaplain and in 1970, he officially
became an Army Chaplain with the rank of Captain, serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. From
1971 to 1972, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 1st Cavalry
Brigade. From a base of operations in the middle of a jungle, he and a Protestant minister flew by
helicopter to defensive outposts where they would provide for the spiritual needs of the soldiers.
In 1973, he left the military and began his doctoral studies at Rome’s Angelicum University. While
preparing for his doctorate in sacred theology, Archbishop O’Brien was a graduate student at the
Pontifical North American College. He studied moral theology and completed his doctoral
dissertation, entitled The Origin and Development of Moral Principles in the Writings of Paul Ramsey,
in 1976.
He returned to continue his service to the Archdiocese of New York, serving as vice-chancellor for
the Archdiocese and associate pastor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In 1979 he coordinated Pope John
Paul II’s visit to New York and for two years served as communications director for the Archdiocese.
In 1986, he was elevated to Monsignor and served two terms as rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary from
1985-1989 and 1994-1997. From 1990-1994, he served as rector of the Pontifical North American
College in Rome.
On February 6, 1996, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of New York and bishop of the titular see of
Thizica. He was consecrated by Cardinal John O’Connor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on March 25,
1996. On April 7 of the following year, he was named co-adjutor bishop for the Archdiocese for the
Military Services and on August 12, 1997, he succeeded as archbishop. The Archdiocese for the
Military Services serves 1.5 million Catholics including all U.S. Armed Forces and their families as well
as 170 Veterans Administration hospitals and U.S. Government employees overseas.
From September 2005 to June 2006, he served as the Holy See’s coordinator for the Papal Visitation
of Seminaries and Houses of Priestly Formation and this spring was appointed a member of the
Congregation for Catholic Education and Seminaries.
On July 12, 2007, his appointment as Archbishop of Baltimore by Pope Benedict XVI was
announced. He succeeded Cardinal William H. Keeler, who served as the 14th Archbishop of the
nation’s oldest diocese from 1989-2007, whose resignation was accepted having reached the age
limit.
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