Thomas Mardaga
Thomas Joseph Mardaga (May 14, 1913 – May 28, 1984) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Wilmington from 1968 until his death in 1984.
The Most Reverend Thomas Joseph Mardaga | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Wilmington | |
| See | Bishop of Wilmington |
| Installed | April 6, 1968 |
| Term ended | May 28, 1984 |
| Predecessor | Michael Hyle |
| Successor | Robert Mulvee |
| Other posts | Titular Bishop of Mutugenna (1967–1968) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 14, 1940 |
| Consecration | January 25, 1967 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 14, 1913 Baltimore, Maryland |
| Died | May 28, 1984 (aged 71) Wilmington, Delaware |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
Biography
Thomas Mardaga was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Thomas and Agnes (née Ryan) Mardaga.[1] He received his early education at the parochial school of St. Ann Church in his native city.[1] He attended St. Charles College in Catonsville before studying for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore.[2] He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Michael J. Curley on May 14, 1940.[3]
Mardaga then served as a curate at St. Paul Church in Baltimore until being transferred to the Basilica of the Assumption, where he later became rector.[2] In addition to his pastoral work, he served as archdiocesan director of the Catholic Youth Organization and the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, executive secretary of the Catholic Charities Fund, and a member of the archdiocesan board of consultors.[2] He was named a domestic prelate in 1963.[1]
On December 9, 1966, Mardaga was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and titular bishop of Mutugenna by Pope Paul VI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on January 25, 1967 from Cardinal Lawrence Shehan, with Bishops John Joyce Russell and Thomas Austin Murphy serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.[3] As an auxiliary bishop, he continued to serve as rector of the Basilica of the Assumption.[1]
Following the death of Bishop Michael William Hyle, Mardaga was named the sixth Bishop of Wilmington, Delaware, on March 9, 1968.[3] His installation took place at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington on April 6 of that year.[1] During his 16-year tenure, he continued the implementation of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, establishing a council for the laity and participating in ecumenical work.[4] He also reorganized the diocesan curia and created a ministry for migrant workers.[4]
Mardaga died from cancer at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington.[2]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael William Hyle |
Bishop of Wilmington 1968–1984 |
Succeeded by Robert Edward Mulvee |
References
- "Most Rev. Thomas J. Mardaga". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore. Archived from the original on 2010-06-28.
- Schaffer, Michael D. (1984-05-29). "BISHOP THOMAS MARDAGA, 71". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- "Bishop Thomas Joseph Mardaga". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
- "A Brief History of the Diocese of Wilmington". Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
