Full of Grace: An Oral Biography of John Cardinal O'Connor [Deckle Edge] [Hardcover]

Terry Golway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2001

The death in May 2000 of John Cardinal O'Connor, archbishop of New York, was a vital loss to countless millions. A shining, openhearted crusader for traditional values in an increasingly bewildering culture, O'Connor was a pioneer for the new face of Catholicism, mapping out an unequivocal political and ethical code that stood for unconditional charity, civil liberties, and social justice. His widespread influence and spiritual presence are still felt strongly today.

Now, for the first time, one of last century's most inspiring voices for humanity, conscience, and compassion is celebrated and remembered through the words of those who knew him best. Renowned author and journalist Terry Golway shares a diverse collection of intimate stories and accounts: from former New York Mayor Ed Koch, one of the archbishop's closest friends, to fellow clerics he inspired, to all manner of laypersons around the country whose lives were touched and changed by this vital pillar of the Roman Catholic Church.

With never-before-seen photographs throughout, along with fascinating, previously unpublished correspondence to and from O'Connor, Full of Grace is a gorgeous tribute and an unprecedented remembrance, affording full access to the vast heart of the extraordinary man who once famously understated, "I hope that in each place I've gone, I saved some souls."

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At first blush, this appears to be a rather ordinary book of vignettes from the life of a Catholic priest who rose from humble beginnings to the top of his church's hierarchy. The recollections about the late New York Cardinal John O'Connor do not seem particularly profound and are often plainly spoken. However, like their subject, they are deceptive in their simplicity; taken together, they present an extraordinary portrait of the man. Golway, a columnist and city editor for the New York Observer, collected the oral reminiscences of more than 50 people whose paths crossed with the cardinal's over the years, and assembled them into this charming memoir. The speakers range from the celebrated to the obscure, and include members of the cardinal's family and staff as well as priests, nuns and New Yorkers. Interestingly, some of the most memorable stories come from Jews, with whom the late cardinal enjoyed a special relationship because of his defense of the state of Israel and his respect for Judaism as the religion that had given birth to his own. Many of the remembrances recall the private moments behind O'Connor's public persona: the times he showed up for a wedding or a funeral or visited someone's relative in the hospital, revealing his greatness in ordinary gestures. Since, as Golway says, O'Connor was "the public face, the public voice, and the public conscience of the American Catholic Church," this book should have broad appeal to readers inside and outside the church.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Terry Golway is the author of For the Cause of Liberty, a history of Irish nationalism; The Irish in America; and Irish Rebel, a biography of John Devoy. A columnist and city editor for the New York Observer, his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, American Heritage, and Newsday. He has appeared on CNN, PBS, the History Channel and several radio programs.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Atria (October 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743444302
• ISBN-13: 978-0743444309
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,095,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enduring devotion has made me biased, November 18, 2001

By 

"cathlicdoc" (Ny NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Full of Grace: An Oral Biography of John Cardinal O'Connor (Hardcover)

I am admittedly a very devoted friend of the late Cardinal. I miss him greatly as a former regular Mass-goer at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the late 90's. I miss him still more as my old guardian angel who did more than one favor for a skinny little kid from Brooklyn, without recompense. Nor did he seek it, except for my soul, and the hope that I would always love Jesus. So if you ever admired this man, his honesty, his frankness, his gift for trying his best in every circumstance, even if you did not agree with everything he said, you will indeed like this book. He was, as his friends reminisce, a mensch. You will hear his words, recognise his wit, recall his stature. I miss him too much, this man who fought tooth and nail, for whatever he thought was truly important for the well being of body and soul of his flock. But then, anyone in New York, or anyone in his line of sight was his flock. Oh, I miss him, and I am glad to hear from him again. Requiescat in pace.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book, terrific writer,fawning memories, December 14, 2001

By 

A. Hogan (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Full of Grace: An Oral Biography of John Cardinal O'Connor (Hardcover)

John O'Connor,late Cardinal Archbishop of New York, was a large figure on the political and religious landscape for almost 17 years. One time Hawkish military chaplain{his pro military stances influenced many of the documents that came out of the bishops conferences],he became bishop of scranton, Pa.,then very quickly{I mean real quickly} Archbishop of the largest archdiocese in North America. He sparred with polticians early{Publicly berating democats Mario cuomo and Geraldine ferraro for their pro-choice stands}though not republicans{though he did criticise R Guliani 's policies as viscious against the poor}, so often putting his foot in his mouth that all three of the major dailies began putting reporters at the Sunday 10 am mass. This collection, has nomne of that. O'connor was a vociferous supporter of the state of Israel, and is warmly remembered as such. He was also an avowed opponenet of homsexuality, and some of his worst moments came in trying to defend his position. He was also a man of great generosity, refusing to close any schools{no matter how poor they were]. begging, literally, begging some of the moneybags catholics{Simon, Grace, et,al. } for donations.He opened doors of catholic hospitals to aids patients{while condeming thier lifestyle. }In short, a man of immense contradictions, who died a slow, painful public death, and did so with great dignity, and without some of the macabre operatic flourishes of so public a demise. The best of these remembrances come from ordianry folks,not the politicians nor clergy{what on earth do youthink a priest of another bishop would say about him? Now if they gave archbishop rembert weakland of Milwaukee a free hand to discuss OConnors lack of support for him with this problems with rome, that would have been interesting]. In all, a well done,though curiosly unsatisfying collection, too much warm fuzziness, not enough exploration.For those who admired him,a very good book. see also Nat Hentoff's ear;lier Biography{also very flattering] for more sources. A loyal soldier of the church.