Roman Catholic Cardinal. He was the longtime Archbishop of Toronto. Born at Gaberje, Slovenia, into a large family he was educated at Dabrova and at Ljubljana before being forced to take refuge in an Austrian displaced person's camp in 1945. Immigrating to Canada in 1948 he settled in Markham, Ontario, trained at Toronto's St. Augustine Seminary, and was ordained a Priest in 1955. Originally assigned to a Port Colborne parish he was to spend a number of years alternating professorial duties at his alma mater with graduate study in Rome and in Wurzburg, Germany. Consecrated in 1976 he served as Auxilliary Bishop of Toronto until named Coadjutor with the right of succession in 1986. Ambrozic became Archbishop of Toronto in 1990 and received his Red Hat when he was Created Cardinal in 1998; over his ministry he was a traditionalist who attracted critisism for his opposition to the ordination of women, same-sex marriage, and abortion. Nevertheless, his personable nature made him well liked even by his theological opponents and helped him in such outreach efforts as the Catholic Immigration Society's assistance to newcomers and Toronto's hosting of World Youth Day in 2002. The Cardinal participated in the 2005 Conclave which elected Pope Benedict XVI, continued his ministry until his age mandated retirement in 2007, and during the course of his career published a number of academic books and articles both in English and in his native language. He died following a protracted illness. A shy and humble man somewhat uncomfortable in his high profile job he said upon his 1998 elevation to the Sacred College: "I have been introduced as a Prince of the Church. I do not wish to be a Prince but only a servant and shepherd of all".
Roman Catholic Cardinal. He was the longtime Archbishop of Toronto. Born at Gaberje, Slovenia, into a large family he was educated at Dabrova and at Ljubljana before being forced to take refuge in an Austrian displaced person's camp in 1945. Immigrating to Canada in 1948 he settled in Markham, Ontario, trained at Toronto's St. Augustine Seminary, and was ordained a Priest in 1955. Originally assigned to a Port Colborne parish he was to spend a number of years alternating professorial duties at his alma mater with graduate study in Rome and in Wurzburg, Germany. Consecrated in 1976 he served as Auxilliary Bishop of Toronto until named Coadjutor with the right of succession in 1986. Ambrozic became Archbishop of Toronto in 1990 and received his Red Hat when he was Created Cardinal in 1998; over his ministry he was a traditionalist who attracted critisism for his opposition to the ordination of women, same-sex marriage, and abortion. Nevertheless, his personable nature made him well liked even by his theological opponents and helped him in such outreach efforts as the Catholic Immigration Society's assistance to newcomers and Toronto's hosting of World Youth Day in 2002. The Cardinal participated in the 2005 Conclave which elected Pope Benedict XVI, continued his ministry until his age mandated retirement in 2007, and during the course of his career published a number of academic books and articles both in English and in his native language. He died following a protracted illness. A shy and humble man somewhat uncomfortable in his high profile job he said upon his 1998 elevation to the Sacred College: "I have been introduced as a Prince of the Church. I do not wish to be a Prince but only a servant and shepherd of all".
Bio by: Find a Grave
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