April 17 marked the tenth anniversary of Cardinal Francis George’s death, following a prolonged battle with cancer. Over the past decade, his absence has been deeply felt, particularly among American Catholics, who have missed his intellectual depth, unwavering faith, personal sanctity, and eloquent writings. Cardinal George’s steady leadership offered a guiding presence during tumultuous times in both the Church and the wider world.
While the Cardinal would have been too old to participate in the current papal conclave, his vision would undoubtedly have provided invaluable insight as the cardinals elect a new Pope. Although God called Cardinal George home a decade ago, his life and work continue to offer profound lessons, particularly in this era of uncertainty and division.
Michael R. Heinlein’s biography, Glorifying Christ: The Life of Cardinal Francis E. George, O.M.I., offers a deep and meticulous examination of the late Cardinal’s life and legacy. This work, marked by scholarly rigor and heartfelt devotion, remains relatively underappreciated. Heinlein conducted extensive research, including archival studies and interviews with key figures, producing a biography that is thoughtful and devoid of hagiography, making it a standout in its field.
Born in Chicago, George had always dreamed of serving Christ as a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago. However, his aspirations were initially thwarted in 1950 when he contracted polio. Despite being accepted into Archbishop Quigley High School Seminary, the diocesan authorities made it clear that ordination was out of the question. A chance encounter with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, whose vocations director promised George that he could still be ordained, reopened the door to the priesthood.
Joining the Oblates, George was shaped by their missionary spirit, which would later influence his approach to intellectual evangelization. He earned doctorates in philosophy and theology, took on teaching roles, and eventually assumed leadership positions within the order, particularly in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council. Unexpectedly, George’s missionary path led him to become a bishop, serving first in Yakima, Washington, then in Portland, Oregon, before being appointed Archbishop of Chicago in 1997. He served in that capacity until his retirement in 2014.
Heinlein’s biography delves into the richness of Cardinal George’s life, providing a nuanced portrayal of his ministry. Several themes emerge throughout the work, but a few stand out.
One central theme is George’s commitment to unity in truth. As both a priest and a bishop, he understood his mission as one that sought to unite all of humanity with God through the truth of Christ. Like Pope Benedict XVI’s emphasis on the Logos, George repeatedly emphasized that unity could only be found through Christ. As Heinlein notes, “One of George’s main goals in ministry, both as a missionary and as a bishop, was unity—unity in Christ but also unity within the human race in Christ.” George often described how all creation is bound in communion with one another because it is rooted in a primordial union with God.
Another key theme is George’s understanding of truth itself. For George, truth was not an abstract concept; it was embodied in a person—Jesus Christ. Heinlein highlights a pivotal moment in which George reflected on a letter regarding an Oblate seeking laicization. George observed that the Oblate focused more on devotion to ministry than to Christ as a person. For George, consecration to the priesthood was first and foremost a personal relationship with Christ, not a commitment to a role, function, or idea. As he stated, “The Church points only to Christ, and anything that gets in the way of that proclamation weakens her mission.”
Cardinal George also viewed the Second Vatican Council as a profoundly Christocentric event, in contrast to some contemporary interpretations that either dismiss or misinterpret its meaning. While some reject the Council as a deviation from traditional Catholicism, others see it as the catalyst for continuous debates within the Church. For George, however, the Council’s purpose was clear: the conversion of the world. He embraced what Pope Benedict XVI would later describe as a “hermeneutic of reform,” one that sought renewal through continuity with the Church’s long-standing tradition.
A poignant and recurring theme in Cardinal George’s life was his understanding of suffering as a redemptive force. He did not view suffering as an abstract concept but something to be embraced as part of the Christian vocation. Having suffered from polio since 1950, George carried the physical effects throughout his life, but his suffering did not end there. Leading the Archdiocese of Chicago often proved to be a painful cross to bear, with George privately expressing his struggles in journals marked by loneliness and difficulty. His battle with cancer, diagnosed in 2006 and ultimately claiming his life in 2015, further deepened his understanding of suffering’s transformative power. As he remarked in 2010, “Even illness can be a gift in some way.”
Heinlein’s biography also touches on George’s contributions to liturgical renewal, his efforts to evangelize culture, and his leadership within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Yet one of the most profound insights from George’s legacy is his vision of Catholicism as a mediating force between opposing poles, whether ideological, political, or cultural. George believed the Church transcended such categories, offering a vision of life rooted in Christ’s teachings. For him, the Church was a sanctuary for freedom, where faith and reason could coexist without being reduced to political ideologies.
George was critical of both liberal and conservative extremes within the Church. He argued that liberal Catholicism, having failed to pass on the faith, could no longer sustain the Christian life. Similarly, he rejected a narrow, sectarian vision of conservative Catholicism focused solely on practices. Instead, he proposed “simply Catholicism”—a faith that engaged with and transformed the world while remaining grounded in Christ’s teachings.
Heinlein’s Glorifying Christ serves as a timely reminder of the legacy of Cardinal Francis George. His vision of the Church—united in truth, rooted in Christ, and open to the world—continues to inspire Catholics today. It is hoped that George’s insights, as well as the biography itself, will guide future generations of faithful and provide a source of wisdom for the cardinals now gathered in Rome.
