Archbishop James Carney (1915–1990)
Date of Birth:
June 28, 1915, South Vancouver, British Columbia
Ordination:
March 21, 1942, by Archbishop William Mark Duke, Vancouver, British Columbia
Episcopal Ordination:
February 11, 1966, by Cardinal Sergio Pignedoli, assisted by Archbishop Martin Johnson, Archbishop of Vancouver, and Archbishop Michael O’Neill, Archbishop of Regina, at Vancouver, British Columbia
Length of Episcopacy:
1969–1990
Motto:
Servare unitatem (To preserve unity.)
Born June 28, 1915 in what was then “South Vancouver.”
Archbishop James Carney’s first appointment was as an assistant at Holy Rosary Cathedral from 1942 to 1950. During that time he also held positions as chancellor and editor of the B.C. Catholic. In 1950, he was appointed to St. Patrick’s Vancouver, and four years later, in 1954, he was appointed assistant to Corpus Christi. A few months after his appointment to Corpus Christi he became pastor of the parish. In 1964, Archbishop Carney was named vicar general of the Archdiocese, which carried with it the title of Monsignor. Two years later, in 1966, he was appointed auxiliary bishop of Vancouver and was ordained February 11, 1966. Upon the retirement of Archbishop Martin Johnson in 1969, Bishop Carney was appointed Archbishop of Vancouver on January 8, 1969, and installed February 11, 1969. He is the first Vancouver-born Archbishop of Vancouver.
Archbishop Carney was known for his commitment to Catholic education, his fostering of priestly vocations and his unquestioning loyalty to the Holy Father. He was appointed as a member of the Congregation of the Clergy in 1986, by Pope Paul VI, and Pope John Paul II appointed him to the Synod of Bishops, despite his failing health, in 1990. Archbishop Carney died September 16, 1990, at the age of 75. Credit: Hannay’s Portrait Studio