South Carolina Hall Of Fame: Joseph Cardinal Bernardin

Joseph Cardinal Bernardin was instrumental in shaping the Catholic Church in the United States according to the vision of the Second Vatican Council. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he received his education at Saint Mary Seminary and The Catholic University of America. After serving as a priest in the Diocese of Charleston for 14 years, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta by Pope Paul VI, making him the youngest bishop in the country. Elected General Secretary of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the United States Catholic Conference, he served until he was appointed Archbishop of Cincinnati. In 1982 Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Chicago and he was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals. Cardinal Bernardin is remembered for being committed to ecumenical and interfaith dialogues.