Francis Joseph Green

Francis Green was born in Corning, New York, but moved with his mother to Prescott, Arizona, following his father's death in 1919.[1] He there worked in the shops of the Santa Fe Railroad.[1] The following year he entered St. Joseph's College in Mountain View, California.[2] He completed his theological studies at St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park.[2] He was ordained to the priesthood on May 15, 1932.[3] He then returned to Arizona, where he later became pastor of the SS. Peter and Paul Church in Tucson in 1937.[1] He was named both a Domestic Prelate and vicar general of the Diocese of Tucson in 1950.[2]

On May 29, 1953, Green was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Tucson and Titular Bishop of Serra by Pope Pius XII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 7 from Bishop Daniel James Gercke, with Bishops James Peter Davis and Hugh Aloysius Donohoe serving as co-consecrators.[3] He was named Coadjutor Bishop of Tucson by Pope John XXIII on May 11, 1960.[3] Upon the resignation of Bishop Daniel James Gercke, Green succeeded him as the fourth Bishop of Tucson on September 28, 1960.[3] He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council between 1962 and 1965, calling it "one of the great experiences of [his] life."[1] He began major restoration on St. Augustine's Cathedral in 1966, completing the effort in 1968.[4] He was instrumental in founding the Arizona Ecumenical Council, became an advocate of social justice, and provide ministries for African American, Native American, and Hispanic Catholics.[1]

After reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, Green resigned as Bishop of Tucson on July 28, 1981.[3] He later died at age 88.