John Ward (auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles)
John James Ward was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in California from 1963 to 1996. Prior to his death, he was just one of three American bishops still living to have participated in the Second Vatican Council.
Biography
Early life
One of two sons, Ward was born in Los Angeles, California on September 28, 1920, to Irish Immigration to [the United States|immigrants] Hugh and Mary Ward. He entered St. John's Seminary in 1940.Priesthood
Ward was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of Saint Vibiana in Los Angeles by Archbishop John Cantwell on May 4, 1946. From 1949 to 1952, he studied at The Catholic University of America School of Canon Law in Washington, D.C., where he earned a licentiate in canon law.Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles
On October 16, 1963, Ward was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles and titular bishop of Bria by Pope Paul VI. He received his episcopal consecration on December 12, 1963, from Cardinal James McIntyre at St. Vibiana Cathedral, with Archbishop Joseph McGucken and Bishop Alden Bell serving as co-consecrators.Attending the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1964 to 1965, he later became vicar general of the archdiocese in 1970 and episcopal vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Pastoral Region in 1986. In addition to his duties as bishop, he was pastor of St. Timothy's Church.