Wilton Daniel Gregory was born on 7 December 1947 in Chicago, Illinois. He studied philosophy at Niles College and theology at Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago on 9 May 1973. After service as a parochial vicar in Glenview and study in Rome, he earned a doctorate in liturgy from the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm in 1980, then taught liturgy at Saint Mary of the Lake and served as Master of Ceremonies to Cardinals Cody and Bernardin.
He was appointed titular Bishop of Oliva and Auxiliary of Chicago on 18 October 1983 and consecrated on 13 December 1983. On 29 December 1993 he was transferred to the Diocese of Belleville, taking possession on 10 February 1994. Elected Vice-President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1998, he served as its President from 2001 to 2004, the period in which the Conference adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. On 9 December 2004 he was appointed Archbishop of Atlanta.
On 4 April 2019 Pope Francis appointed him Archbishop of Washington, succeeding Cardinal Donald Wuerl in the aftermath of the McCarrick crisis. Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 28 November 2020, with the titular church of Immacolata Concezione di Maria a Grottarossa; he is the first African-American cardinal. Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Washington on 6 January 2025, naming Cardinal Robert McElroy as his successor. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
I find it baffling and reprehensible that any Catholic facility would allow itself to be so egregiously misused and manipulated in a fashion that violates our religious principles, which call us to defend the rights of all people even those with whom we might disagree.
Saint Pope John Paul II was an ardent defender of the rights and dignity of human beings. His legacy bears vivid witness to that truth. He certainly would not condone the use of tear gas and other deterrents to silence, scatter or intimidate them for a photo opportunity in front of a place of worship and peace.
What we didn't stop to consider, and that oversight rests with me and me alone, was that the world and the Church have changed.
I failed to consider the impact on the families throughout the Archdiocese who, though struggling to pay their mortgages, utilities, tuition and other bills, faithfully respond year after year to my pleas to assist with funding our ministries and services.
You belong to the heart of this church. There is nothing that you may do, may say, that will rip you from the heart of this church.
Major Works & Initiatives
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People ('Dallas Charter')
As USCCB president (2001-2004), led the bishops' conference in adopting the Charter in Dallas in June 2002, the US Church's landmark response to the clerical sexual abuse crisis, with norms for accountability and protection of minors.
'What I Have Seen and Heard' column, The Georgia Bulletin
As Archbishop of Atlanta (2005-2019), wrote the regular column 'What I have seen and heard' for The Georgia Bulletin, reflecting on faith, ministry and public questions throughout his tenure.
Archbishop of Washington
Named Archbishop of Washington by Pope Francis on 4 April 2019, succeeding Cardinal Donald Wuerl following the McCarrick scandal, and installed on 21 May 2019; also served as Chancellor of the Catholic University of America.
First African-American cardinal
Created a cardinal by Pope Francis on 28 November 2020 — the first cardinal of African-American descent — with the titular church of Immacolata Concezione di Maria a Grottarossa; named a member of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in December 2020.
Controversies
The June 2020 Saint John Paul II Shrine statement
On 2 June 2020, before President Donald Trump's visit to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington — a day after protesters were cleared from Lafayette Square for the president's appearance at St John's Episcopal Church — Archbishop Gregory issued a statement calling it 'baffling and reprehensible' that a Catholic facility would allow itself to be 'so egregiously misused and manipulated'. Supporters praised the statement as a defence of the Church's integrity. Critics, including the White House, responded sharply: deputy press secretary Judd Deere called it 'shameful' to question the president's faith or motives. The National Catholic Register also reported that the White House had invited Gregory to the shrine event the previous week and that his office had declined on 30 May citing a prior commitment, contradicting early reports that he had learned of the visit only when it was publicly announced.
The Atlanta archbishop's residence (2014)
In 2014 the Archdiocese of Atlanta used a bequest from the estate of Joseph Mitchell to build a new archbishop's residence in Buckhead costing $2.2 million, intended also to host receptions and conferences. Parishioners criticised the cost, especially against Pope Francis's example of simplicity. In a column of 31 March 2014 Gregory apologised, writing that he had failed to consider the impact on families struggling with mortgages, utilities and tuition, and that the oversight rested with him alone. He subsequently directed that the residence be sold; it was sold in November 2014 and he moved to a smaller home in Smyrna, Georgia.
Restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass (2022)
Following Pope Francis's motu proprio Traditionis custodes (2021), Cardinal Gregory issued norms for Washington in July 2022 restricting celebrations of the older (Extraordinary) form of the Mass to three locations and prohibiting them at Christmas, during the Easter Triduum, on Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday, and prohibiting other sacraments in that form. Reporting noted that the restrictions upset some Catholics attached to the older form, while Gregory presented the norms as implementation of the Pope's directive for the archdiocese.
Sources
- Holy See Press Office — biography
- Wikipedia
- National Catholic Register — Archbishop Gregory invited to JPII Shrine event days before public statement, 8 June 2020
- Catholic News Agency — Atlanta archbishop apologizes for $2.2 million residence, 3 April 2014
- New Ways Ministry — Pope Francis' cardinal choices and Gregory's record, 25 October 2020
- Commonweal — Letting 'Amoris laetitia' Be Heard (Boston College conference report), October 2017