Archbishop Hannan, JFK eulogist, dead at 98

September 29, 2011

Retired Archbishop Philip Hannan of New Orleans died on September 29 at the age of 98, after a long illness.

Born in Washington, DC, Philip Hannan was ordained to the priesthood there in 1939. During World War II he served as a paratrooper chaplain. He became an auxiliary bishop of Washington in 1956. He became a confidant of President John F. Kennedy, and was hand-picked by the president's widow to deliver the eulogy at Kennedy's funeral in November 1963. (Boston's Cardinal Richard Cushing was the celebrant for the funeral Mass.)

Appointed to head the New Orleans archdiocese in 1965, Archbishop Hannan retired from that post in 1988 at the age of 75.

 

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Further information:

• Retired Archbishop Philip Hannan, who gave eulogy for President John F. Kennedy, dies at 98 (Washington Post)
• Close ties with the Kennedy's: Why Archbishop Hannan presided over JFK's funeral (ABC26)