In memoriam ~ Archbishop Philip M. Hannan (May 20, 1913 – September 29, 2011

Archbishop Hannan ‘The Archbishop” of New Orleans, passed away last night around 3:00 a.m. God rest him.

The official obituary from the Archdiocese of New Orleans is here.
Hannan after Betsy
More obits and articles here, here and here.

And, here.

The Archbishop, as he was fondly called even years after his retirement had arrive in New Orleans mere weeks after Hurricane Betsy had flooded the city.

He was always an ardent supporter of the faith, and a tireless advocate for the poor, the needy, and just about everyone else as well

After Katrina, while much of the leadership of the diocese chose to relocate to Baton Rouge, he remained on the Northshore and was heard to say, after slamming a phone down, “I should still be in charge!” He was found walking accross the 24 mile Causeway over Lake Pontchartrain to help on the devastated South Shore, as his car had either broken or run out of gas. He had stopped at a Wal-Mart to buy boots so he could get through the water.

Everyone in New Orleans has many stories to tell about Archbishop Hannan, for he was a great man.

Hannan

He was a tireless advocate of the poor, the hungry, the destitute, here with a ship leaving with supplies for Bangladesh.

Hannan in Service Duties

He served as a Chaplain in WWII.

Hannan at JFK funeral

Gave the eulogy for John F. Kennedy’s funeral.

Hannan at Jackie O funeral

And buried Jacqueline Onassis.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

The Rev. Kenneth Allen