Philadelphia’s Cardinal Krol Retires at 77, Citing Age, Health

PHILADELPHIA —  Cardinal John Krol, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Philadelphia for 26 years, retired Tuesday because of his age and health, ending the career of a Polish immigrants’ son known for his conservatism and influence in Vatican politics.

“Philadelphia deserves much better service than I am able at this stage of my life to give,” the 77-year-old cardinal said after the Vatican announced his retirement. “They tell me that after 70, six months can make a big difference.”

Pittsburgh Bishop Anthony J. Bevilacqua will be installed as his successor on Feb. 11 by papal nuncio Pio Laghi, Pope John Paul II’s representative in the United States, Krol said Tuesday.

Erosion of Morality

As leader of 1.3 million Catholics in the country’s sixth-largest archdiocese since 1961, Krol has exerted his influence to fight communism, abortion and what he saw as an erosion of morality in America.

“Unless and until the Supreme Court stops legislating or promoting a society without religious principle, we won’t improve the moral status in the country,” Krol once said.

Under Pope John Paul II, Krol has been involved in internal reviews of Vatican financial matters. In 1985, he was one of three co-presidents of a special meeting of bishops to review the condition of the church 20 years after the reforms of Vatican II.

Backed School Prayers

At home, Krol vigorously supported disarmament, an end to nuclear arsenals, government aid to parochial schools and prayer in public schools.

Church law requires that bishops submit their resignations at age 75. The resignations are not always accepted immediately.

In May, Krol underwent extensive surgery for varicose veins in his esophagus and spent several weeks recovering at a summer home for retired priests in Ventnor, N.J. He returned to his office Aug. 3 and slowly began resuming his duties, church officials said.