John Paul Elford - Misplaced Pages

American Roman Catholic priest

John Paul Elford (September 24, 1922 – February 6, 1991) was an American Roman Catholic priest who appointed a bishop but declined the position and was never consecrated.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 24, 1944, Elford moved with his family to Bloomington, Indiana. He went to St. Meinrad Archabbey seminary and received his doctorate in sacred theology from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Elford was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on May 27, 1947. On July 15, 1968, Pope Paul VI appointed Elford titular bishop of Acropolis and auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, Indiana.

In October 1968, Ellford announced that Pope Paul had granted his request to "dispense me from accepting the office of bishop". He offered no explanation and asked the public to accept what he had done "without question". He cited "personal reasons" and said he was "at peace" with the decision.

He died on February 6, 1991.

Notes

"Terre Haute Priest Named Bishop-Elect". Anderson Herald (Indiana). July 25, 1968. p. 21.
"Bishopric Declined in Indiana". The Catholic Advocate. October 31, 1968. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
"Pastor turns down bishop position". The Daily Banner (Greencastle). October 24, 1968.
"Priest Turns Down Bishop Appointment". Greenburg Daily News (Indiana). October 25, 1968. p. 15.

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v t e Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Ordinaries	Bishops of Vincennes Simon Bruté Célestine Guynemer de la Hailandière John Stephen Bazin Jacques-Maurice De Saint Palais Bishops of Indianapolis Silas Chatard Joseph Chartrand Archbishops of Indianapolis Joseph Ritter Paul Clarence Schulte George Biskup Edward Thomas O'Meara Daniel M. Buechlein Joseph W. Tobin Charles Coleman Thompson
Auxiliary bishops	Denis O'Donaghue Christopher J. Coyne
Churches	List List of churches in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis Cathedral Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Parishes St. John the Evangelist Church, Indianapolis St. Mary's Church, Indianapolis Shrine Church of the Immaculate Conception, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Abbey St. Meinrad Archabbey Chapel Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods
Education	Higher education Marian University Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Seminaries Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology High schools Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard High School, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter High School, Indianapolis Cathedral High School, Indianapolis Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception, Oldenburg Our Lady of Providence Junior-Senior High School, Clarksville Providence Cristo Rey High School, Indianapolis Roncalli High School, Indianapolis Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School, Indianapolis Seton Catholic High School, Richmond Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School, Madison
Priests	Herman Joseph Alerding John Paul Elford Paul D. Etienne Gerald Andrew Gettelfinger Emmanuel Boleslaus Ledvina Alphonse John Smith
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v t e Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend
Bishops	Ordinaries John Henry Luers Joseph Gregory Dwenger Joseph Rademacher Herman Joseph Alerding John F. Noll Leo Aloysius Pursley William Edward McManus John Michael D'Arcy Kevin C. Rhoades Auxiliary bishops Joseph Robert Crowley John Richard Sheets Daniel R. Jenky
Churches	Cathedrals Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne St. Matthew Cathedral, South Bend Basilica Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame Parishes St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Avilla St. Mary's Catholic Church, Huntington St. Adalbert Church, South Bend St. Casimir Church, South Bend
Education	Higher education Ancilla Domini College, Donaldson University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne Holy Cross College, Notre Dame Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame High schools Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers High School, Fort Wayne Marian High School, Mishawaka St. Joseph High School, South Bend
Priests	John George Bennett John Paul Elford Andrew Gregory Grutka
Miscellany	Our Sunday Visitor
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