Diocese of Camden Bishop George H. Guilfoyle
1968-1989
"In accepting this honored office, I do so not only with full awareness of the great responsibility involved but also with confidence in the faithful collaboration and strong support of the splendid clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Camden. United in faith and charity, and strengthened by God's grace, we shall serve God and neighbor. In the days ahead — in the vital pastoral care of the people — I shall expend all strength and energy — I shall pray day and night for the spiritual and material welfare of all People of God in this area of the Lord's vineyard."
Bishop George H. Guilfoyle was installed as the fourth Ordinary of the Diocese of Camden on March 4, 1968, by Archbishop Luigi Raimondi, Apostolic Delegate in the United States, in a ceremony held at St. Joseph's Pro-Cathedral, Camden.
At the time of his appointment Bishop Guilfoyle was 54 years of age, the Titular Bishop of Marazanae, Auxiliary to Francis Cardinal Spellman, Episcopal Vicar of Staten Island, N.Y., and pastor of St. Peter's Church, Staten Island.
Born Nov. 13,,1913, in New York City, George Henry Guilfoyle was the second eldest of five children, three boys and two girls, of James G. and Johanna McGrath Guilfoyle.
In the fall of 1939, Bishop Guilfoyle began his studies for the priesthood at St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y., and was subsequently ordained by Cardinal Spellman in St: Patrick's Cathedral, New York City, on March 25, 1944. He was named Executive Director of Catholic Charities in May 1956, a post he continued to fill until October 1966. During this time he directed the operation of 199 separate institutions and agencies in services, which embraced the entire field of social welfare. Msgr. Guilfoyle was ordained a bishop by Cardinal Spellman in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Nov. 30,1964. Bishop Guilfoyle served for many years on the Administrative Board of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, holding membership on a number of its committees, including those on priestly life and ministry, conciliation and arbitration, on which he also served as chairman, bishops, diocesan boundaries, budget and finance, Latin America, ecumenical and motion pictures. He was chairman of the department of health affairs of the United States Catholic Conference from 1969 to 1971. The Bishop was a member of the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints from 1969 to 1975.
Among the innovations under the Bishop's tenure has been the establishment of a Hispanic Apostolate, a newly-formed Diocesan Pastoral Council, an expanded Liturgical Commission, an active and strong pro-life campaign and the restoration of permanent deaconate. The church reforms initiated by the Second Vatican Council were incorporated in the planning that got underway in December 1968 with the formation of a plan for a Diocesan Pastoral Council. Bishop Guilfoyle himself served as chairman of a steering committee that outlined the goals and duties of the Council and how it would function.
The importance he placed on pastoral planning was further illustrated in the establishment of a Pastoral Planning Office in 1971.
The Catholic school system had been a focus of the Secretariat for Education, formed in 1968. Six new schools and several additions to existing schools were built under Bishop Guilfoyle's tenure. Tuition cost for the schools were a concern and led to the establishment in 1980 of the Tuition Assistance Fund. The Secretariat for Education also worked on programs of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine for students not in Catholic schools, youth and campus ministries for nonsectarian colleges as well as adult programs of continuing religious education in the parishes.
Certainly one of Bishop Guilfoyle's joys as his ordination to the episcopate of Father Michael P. Mundo, a priest ordained for the Camden Diocese in 1962, who had been a missionary to Brazil since 1963. Of the Diocese's contributions to Brazil, the Bishop said, "I feel a sense of joyful satisfaction knowing we have been able to help these people spiritually and materially."
During Bishop Guilfoyle's time in Camden, eight new parishes were established some two dozen churches were built with many more renovated to meet changing needs. Other new building include convents, rectories, a recreation center, new schools and renovations to existing structures and parish halls. A retreat house was acquired by the Diocese, special education facilities were expanded and a Newman Center erected at Glassboro State College.
Nursing homes were constructed and acquired, as well as the establishment of two complexes for the elderly, Victorian Towers and St. Mary's Village.
In 1987, Bishop Guilfoyle's tenure was highlighted by a year-long observance of the Diocese of Camden's Golden Jubilee. Among the activities were liturgical and spiritual celebrations, ecumenical and cultural activities, and other social events. The jubilee observance opened May 17, 1987, with a Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden.
Bishop Guilfoyle died June 11, 1991, at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, of complications from a respiratory ailment. He was 77. The funeral Mass for Camden's fourth bishop - who used to affectionately refer to the diocese as "Camelot" - was celebrated June 15, 1991, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Bishop James T. McHugh was the celebrant, and Auxiliary Bishop Schad was the homilist. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.
* Bishop Joseph Galante
* Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio
* Bishop James T. McHugh
* Bishop George H. Guilfoyle
* Archbishop Celestine J. Damiano
* Bishop Justin J. McCarthy
* Bishop Bartholomew J. Eustace