A SALUTE TO ARCHBISHOP HANNAN TO BE HELD AT WWII MUSEUM


Friends and supporters of Archbishop Philip M. Hannan are planning an upcoming birthday tribute to the former figurehead of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. “A Salute To Archbishop Hannan” will take place Saturday, May 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

The soiree will commemorate the Archbishop’s 95th birthday and honor his many years of pastoral service both locally and nationally. Hannan’s supporters also hope to raise funds to dedicate stained glass windows in the chapel of the Archdiocese for the Military Services in Washington, DC, recognizing Hannan’s years of military service during World War II.

“This will serve as a national and international recognition of the Archbishop,” says Catherine Cooper, who is coordinating the event. “It is a fitting tribute as Archbishop Hannan served as a chaplain in the military, and grew up in Washington.”

Hannan was born on May 20, 1913 in Washington, DC, where he spent the early years of his life before attending North American College in Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 8, 1939.

He enlisted in the Army in 1942 while Fascism was spreading across Italy and Germany. In 1944, he was stationed in Reims, France where he was assigned to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. He served as the Regiment’s only Catholic chaplain until the end of the war, often saying mass for his soldiers on the hood of a Jeep and parachuting with them onto the battlefield. He ministered to wounded soldiers on the front lines. As the war came to an end, Hannan traveled with his regiment into Germany and helped liberate the concentration camp at Woebbelin.

In the years that followed, Hannan returned to Washington, where as auxiliary bishop he became a close advisor to President John F. Kennedy on Catholic issues, and a friend of the Kennedy family. He later delivered the eulogy at the funeral of both President Kennedy and Jackie Onassis Kennedy.

In September 1965 Hannan became the 11th Archbishop of New Orleans. One of the highlights of his tenure occurred in September 1987 when he served as papal guide to Pope John Paul II during his visit to New Orleans. Hannan retired as Archbishop in 1988 and became President and CEO of FOCUS Worldwide Network TV.

The May 30 event will feature internationally acclaimed and local talent Ronnie Kole, as well as inspirational songstress Kitty Cleveland and an emerging new voice from St. Tammany Parish, Steven Dale. The Junior Air Force ROTC Color Guard will also perform. Tickets are $100 per person.

Program dignitaries will include Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS), USA, based in Washington, DC; Msgr. James R. Dixon, Chaplain, Colonel, USAF (Retired), vicar general Archdiocese for the Military Services USA; former U. S. congressman Robert Livingston of Louisiana; Col. Evans C. Spiceland of Mandeville, U.S. Army veteran; and state Rep. Steve Scalise.

Honorary event chairs are Archbishop Timothy Broglio, AMS, USA; Archbishop Alfred Hughes and Archbishop Emeritus Francis Schulte, Archdiocese of New Orleans; and Abbot Justin Brown, St. Joseph Abbey, Covington.

Hannan’s friends and supporters also hope to raise enough money to establish and endowed scholarship in his name at St. Joseph’s Seminary College in Covington. The purchase and installation of the stained glass windows will be coordinated after the May celebration and an artist is selected.

For more information or to purchase tickets to “A Salute to Archbishop Hannan,” please contact Catherine Cooper at CCooper@covla.com or (985) 898-4715.