Explanation
Title
To recognize and honor the Most Reverend James A. Griffin, J.D., J.C.L. for 20 years as Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.
Body
WHEREAS, James Anthony Griffin was born June 13, 1934, the fifth of seven children born to Thomas Anthony Griffin and Margaret Mary Hanousek. Brothers and sisters are Sister M. Brigid, C.S.J. (deceased); Thomas Anthony, Jr. of Rocky River, Ohio; Kathleen (Mrs. Robert Barendt) of Berea, Ohio; Patricia (Mrs. Leroy Begin) of Columbia Station, Ohio; Michael F. of Grafton, Ohio, and Mary Lou (Mrs. Ronald Kistner) of Columbus, Ohio.
WHEREAS, Bishop Griffin attended St. Angela Merici Elementary School, Fairview Park, Ohio and St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, Ohio. He attended St. Charles College, Catonsville, Maryland and Borromeo College, Wickliff, Ohio, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. He attended St. Mary Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained to the priesthood by John Cardinal Krol on May 28, 1960 in St. John Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio.
WHEREAS, Bishop Griffin spent one year as Associate Pastor at St Jerome Parish in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1961, he was sent to Rome to pursue graduate studies in Church Law. He received his Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L. magna cum laude) from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome in 1963.
WHEREAS, Upon his return to the Cleveland diocese, Bishop Griffin served as Secretary-Notary of the Marriage Court of the Cleveland diocese for two years. He was appointed to the Chancery staff in 1965 and served as Associate Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. During that time, he attended night classes at Cleveland State University and received his Doctorate in Civil Law (J.D., summa cum laude) in 1972. He passed the Ohio Bar and is a licensed attorney. Bishop Griffin served as Chancellor of the Diocese of Cleveland from 1973 until 1978.
WHEREAS, In January 1978, he was appointed by Bishop James Hickey as Vicar General of the Cleveland diocese and Administrator Pro-tem of the St. John Cathedral in Cleveland. In April of 1979, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland.
WHEREAS, Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Griffin the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio on February 7, 1983. Bishop Griffin was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus on April 25, 1983; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this council does hereby recognize and honor the Most Reverend James A. Griffin, J.D., J.C.L. for 20 years as Bishop of the Diocese of Columbus, Ohio.