Archbishop Gerald Emmett Cardinal Carter

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Gerald Emmett was born in Montreal on March 1, 1912. He received his theological education at the Grand Seminary of Montreal and was ordained on May 22, 1937. Father Carter's first twenty-five years in the priesthood were spent working in various educational fields. He founded the St. Joseph's Teachers' College in Montreal and was a member of the Montreal Separate School Board for 15 years. Father Carter was deeply involved in adult education at the university level through the Newman Club at McGill University in Montreal and as first president of the Thomas More Institute in Montreal. He was also a professor of catechetics for 25 years.

On December 5, 1961, Father Carter was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of London and was consecrated in Montreal, Feb. 2, 1962 by Card. Paul-Emile Leger, Archbishop of Montreal. Bishop Carter succeeded as Bishop of London on February 22, 1964.

Bishop Carter was appointed Archbishop of the See of Toronto on April 29, 1978. One year later on June 30, Pope John Paul II elevated Archbishop Carter to the Sacred College of Cardinals.

Cardinal Carter has contributed significantly to the Catholic community by seeking to improve race relations, by founding Covenant House for street youth under 2l, fighting against abortion, and protecting the rights of Catholics. He also witnessed the fulfillment of the Ontario Government's promise to provide full funding to Catholic high schools. In 1988 Cardinal Carter made an agreement with the Province to provide affordable housing for low-income families, senior citizens and the disabled, and the Housing Office was formed.

On June 21, 1979, Cardinal Carter consecrated three auxiliary bishops for Toronto, Bishops Robert B. Clune, Leonard J. Wall, and Michael P. Lacey.

In May of 1986, Auxiliary Bishop Aloysius Ambrozic was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Toronto. Cardinal Carter's resignation as Archbishop was accepted by the Pope and was announced March 17, 1990. He passed away on April 6, 2003 and was interred in the Bishops’ Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, Toronto.