René Henry Gracida
René Henry Gracida (born June 9, 1923) is an American Roman Catholic prelate. He was the Bishop of Corpus Christi from 1983 to 1997. He was also the Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee from 1975 to 1983. Gracida was an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami from 1971 to 1975.
Catholic prelate career
[change | change source]Gracida became a priest for the Order of St. Benedict on May 23, 1959.
On December 6, 1971, Gracida was made by Pope Paul VI as auxiliary bishop of Miami and titular bishop of Masuccaba.[1] On May 19, 1983 Pope John Paul II appointed Gracida as the bishop of Corpus Christi. He took office on July 11, 1983.
In January 1989, Gracida called for a boycott of all Pepsi-Cola products because of one of their commercials used the song "Like a Prayer" by the singer Madonna.[2] Gracida and other religious leaders saw as sacrilegious. Pepsi eventually stopped showing the ads and canceled its contract with Madonna.[3]
During his time as Bishop of Corpus Christi, many priests were accused of sexual abuse of minors.[4] Pope John Paul II accepted Gracida's resignation on April 1, 1997.
Personal life
[change | change source]Gracida was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. During World War II, Gracida flew 32 missions in the US Army Air Corps.[5] He studied at the University of Houston.
Gracida turned 100 on June 9, 2023.[6]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Colorful rites mark ordination of Bp. Gracida" (PDF). XIII (47). January 28, 1972: 3A–8A.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ↑ "Interview with Rene Henry Gracida". FAU. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ↑ Belkin, Lisa; Times, Special To the New York (1990-07-07). "In Texas City, Newcomer Brings Abortion Turmoil". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
- ↑ "Diocese of Corpus Christi releases names of priests 'credibly accused' of sexual abuse".
- ↑ Charles Collins (September 26, 2017). "Retired Texas bishop signs "filial correction" of Pope Francis". Crux. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
- ↑ "Second oldest bishop emeritus in the world turns 100". Aleteia — Catholic Spirituality, Lifestyle, World News, and Culture. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
Other websites
[change | change source]
- "Abyssus Abyssum Invocat: Commentary on all things Catholic, Roman, that is!" (blog maintained by Bishop Gracida)
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Corpus Christi
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Pensacola–Tallahassee
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami
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