THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 46, NO. 14 | NOVEMBER 15, 2024
1931 - 2024
+JAMES PATRICK KELEHER
Chicago native, 10th ordinary of the archdiocese, dies Nov. 9
K
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Will Rogers might have originated the phrase, “I never met a man I didn’t like,” but no man embodied it quite like James
Patrick Keleher. “Long before Pope Francis talked about the joy of the Gospel,” said his former chancellor Msgr. Tom Tank at the archbishop’s 60th anniversary of ordination, “Archbishop Keleher was living it so very beautifully.” “He came in and really took the archdiocese by storm because of his love of people,” added Msgr. Tank. “Not just some people, but everyone.” Now, everyone is a little poorer for his passing. Archbishop Emeritus James P. Keleher, 93, the tenth ordinary and third archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, died Nov. 9 of natural causes at his residence at Santa Marta retirement community in Olathe. He served as archbishop here from Sept. 8, 1993, to Jan. 15, 2005, and continued to assist his successor Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann as archbishop emeritus in various ministries as his health permitted.
Early years James Patrick Keleher was born on July 31, 1931, on the South Side of Chicago. He was one of the two children of James and Rita (Cullinane) Keleher. The family belonged to St. Felicitas Parish. His father was a salesman for Will & Baumer Candle Company, which supplied area parishes. His mother, an immigrant from Ireland, was a nurse before becoming a homemaker. He attended Mount Carmel High School for one year before he entered Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary. After graduating from the minor seminary in 1951, he entered the University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. He graduated and was ordained a priest on April 12, 1958, in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at St. Mary of the Lake by Cardinal Samuel Stritch. Following ordination, Father Keleher continued his studies at St. Mary of the Lake. He graduated with a doctorate in sacred theology in 1962 and
served as chaplain from 1958 to 1961 at the convent of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
Lifelong educator He was a teacher and academic dean at Quigley Preparatory Seminary North from 1961 to 1969, and served as associate pastor from 1961 to 1963 at St. Henry Parish in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago.
In 1966, he was named academic dean and taught religion and social studies at the North Campus of Quigley Seminary. While there, he graduated in 1967 with a master’s degree in educational administration from Loyola University of Chicago. He also did postdoctoral work in spirituality at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Father Keleher then served as acting dean of studies and dean of formation from 1969 to 1972 at Niles
College Seminary, Chicago. From 1975 to 1978, he was rector of Quigley South. He became dean of formation and a teacher at St. Mary of the Lake in 1972 and was appointed president and rector in 1978. On Oct. 23, 1984, Pope John Paul II appointed Father Keleher the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois. He was consecrated bishop on Dec. 11, 1984, and served until 1993, >> See “‘HE’D’” on page 4