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.
Education
S.T.D. Angelicum University, Rome, 1976
(Dissertation: The Origin and Development of Moral Principles in the Theology of Paul Ramsey, Angelicum U. Press, 1976)
M.A. St. Joseph’s Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y., 1965
M.Div. St. Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N.Y., 1964
B.A. St. Joseph's Seminary and College, Yonkers, N.Y., 1961
St. Mary's High School, Katonah, N.Y., 1957
Our Lady of Solace Grammar School, Bronx, N.Y., 1953
Priestly Ministry
2007: Named 15th Archbishop of Baltimore on July 12, 2007, upon the acceptance of the resignation of Cardinal William H. Keeler by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
1997: Named Archbishop for the Military Services on August 12, 1997, upon the acceptance of the resignation of Archbishop Joseph Dimino by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
Named as Coadjutor Archbishop for the Military Services on April 8, 1997 by His Holiness Pope John Paul II.
1996: Ordained Auxiliary Bishop of New York and Titular Bishop of Tizica on March 25, 1996 by John Cardinal O'Connor at St. Patrick's Cathedral, N.Y.C.
1994-1997: Appointed Rector, St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y.
1990-1994: Appointed Rector, Pontifical North American College, Rome
1985-1989: Appointed Rector, St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y.
1986: Elevated to Monsignor (Prelate of Honor)
1983-1985: Secretary of Cardinals Terence Cooke and John O'Connor
1981-1983: Director of Communications, Archdiocese of New York
1976-1981: Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York and Associate Pastor of St. Patrick's Cathedral
1973-1976: Pontifical North American College
Doctoral Study: Angelicum University, Rome
1972-1973: Post Chaplain, Fort Gordon, G.A.
1971-1972: Chaplain, Vietnam - 173rd Airborne Brigade, 1st Cavalry Brigade
1970-1971: Chaplain, Fort Bragg, N.C. - 82nd Airborne Division
1970-1973: Army Chaplain, rank of Captain
1965-1970: Parish Priest/Chaplain (Civilian) - United States Military Academy, West Point
1965: Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of New York, May 29, 1965
Member
Congregation for Catholic Education
Societies
Fellowship of Catholic Scholars
Canon Law Society, USA
Board/Memberships
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Pontifical North American College, Rome
Member, Board of Trustees, St. Joseph's Seminary
Member, Board of Trustees, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
