Eugene Antonio Marino, SSJ (May 29, 1934 – November 12, 2000) was an American Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Atlanta from 1988 until 1990. He previously served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington from 1974 to 1988. He was the first African-American Catholic archbishop in history and the first African-American bishop in Washington. Marino was a member of the Josephites.
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Eugene Antonio Marino | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop emeritus of Atlanta | |
 | |
| See | Atlanta |
| Installed | May 5, 1988 |
| Term ended | July 10, 1990 |
| Predecessor | Thomas Andrew Donnellan |
| Successor | James Patterson Lyke, OFM |
| Previous post(s) | Auxiliary Bishop of Washington (1974–88) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 9, 1962 |
| Consecration | September 12, 1974 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 29, 1934 |
| Died | November 12, 2000 (aged 66) Manhasset, New York, US |
| Alma mater | Epiphany Apostolic College |
| Motto | Feed my lambs |
| Styles of Eugene Antonio Marino | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Marino resigned as Archbishop of Atlanta in 1990, under accusations of having a sexual relationship with a female lay minister. He later worked as a chaplain and counselor in New York until his death in 2000.
Biography
editEarly life and education
editMarino was born on May 29, 1934, in Biloxi, Mississippi, the sixth of eight children to Jesús María Marino, a baker, and Lottie Irene Bradford Marino, a maid. He attended parochial schools in Biloxi before joining the Josephites.
Marino attended Epiphany Apostolic College in Baltimore, Maryland, and later earned his master's degree from St. Joseph's Seminary in Washington, DC. He also completed a master's degree in religious education at Fordham University in the Bronx.
Priesthood
editMarino was ordained a priest for the Josephites at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on June 9, 1962 by Archbishop Philip Hannan.[1]
After his ordination, Marino taught religion and physical science at Epiphany College in Newburgh, New York, for seven years. He served as the spiritual director at St. Joseph's Seminary in Washington, D.C., from 1968 until 1971, when he was appointed vicar general of the Josephites.
Auxiliary Bishop of Washington
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On July 12, 1974, Marino was named an auxiliary bishop of Washington by Pope Paul VI.[1]He was consecrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception by Cardinal William Baum on September 12, 1974, with Bishops Harold Perry and Edward John Herrmann serving as co-consecrators.[1]
In 1984, Marino authored a pastoral letter on evangelization by the African-American bishops.[2][3]
Marino was named the secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1985, the first African-American to hold that position. Fordham University in 1986 awarded Marino an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.[4]
In 1987, Marino organized a trip for African-American Catholics to see Pope John Paul II. During a talk with these men and women, he stated:
Up as a young boy in Mississippi, with the double—I was going to say handicap, but I'll say blessing—of being black and Catholic, I never thought I would see the day when I would be standing here preaching God's holy word in this place, as a priest, indeed as a bishop. Generations of black Catholics never lived to see a black priest or sister, let alone ever dream that their son or daughter might become one.[5]
Archbishop of Atlanta
editJohn Paul II appointed Marino as the archbishop of Atlanta on March 14, 1988. He was installed on May 5, 1988, becoming the first African-American archbishop.[1] He would later be involved in efforts to address the sexual misconduct of priests.
Resignation and legacy
editIn May 1990, Marino suffered chest pains while visiting New York. His doctors prescribed rest and seclusion.Marino resigned as archbishop on July 10, 1990, citing the need for "spiritual renewal, psychological therapy and medical supervision".[6] He then underwent a six-week-long period of counseling. Over 25,000 Catholics sent him letters of support in a campaign orchestrated by African-American Catholic leaders.[2]
In August 1990, Vicki Long, a female lay minister, claimed that she and Marino had been engaged in a personal relationship while he was auxiliary bishop in Washington. She had sought counseling with Marino after having a sexual relationship with a priest in Savannah, George. Long said that she and Marino exchanged rings in a secret ceremony in 1988.[7][2]
After finishing his treatment, Marino quietly moved to Alma, Michigan, to serve as chaplain for the Sisters of Mercy. In 1995, he went to Harrison, New York, to work at St. Vincent's Hospital Westchester, counseling patients on sexual behavior and substance abuse. He was also employed as a counselor and confidant for fellow priests and nuns at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, New York.[8][2]In 1999, Cardinal John O'Connor honored Marino in a small ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City on the 25th anniversary of his appointment as bishop.[2]
On November 12, 2000, Marino died at age 66 in the St. Ignatius Retreat House in Manhasset, New York of a heart attack. He was buried in Biloxi, Mississippi. Of his eight siblings, one brother and four sisters survived him.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Archbishop Eugene Antonio Marino [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ a b c d e Martin, Douglas (2000-11-16). "Eugene Marino, Black Archbishop, Dies at 66". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ Berger, Joseph; Times, Special To the New York (1985-11-14). "CATHOLIC BISHOPS EMBRACE LETTER ON THE ECONOMY". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ McQuiston, John T. (1986-05-25). "AID HOMELESS CHILDREN, FORDHAM CLASS IS URGED". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Encyclopedia of African American Religions, Garland, 1993
- ^ Smothers, Ronald; Times, Special To the New York (1990-07-11). "Atlanta Bishop Resigns, Citing Stress". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ "Woman Claims She Married Archbishop". Los Angeles Times. 1990-08-17. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
- ^ a b Eugene Marino, 1st Black Catholic Archbishop, Dies Of Heart Attack In Atlanta - Obituary Archived 2010-05-15 at the Wayback Machine December 4, 2000. Retrieved on April 3, 2007