Series: Aloysius Ambrozic (1930-2011)

Cardinal Aloysius Matthew Ambrozic (1930–2011) was a Slovene‑Canadian prelate who led the Archdiocese of Toronto from 1990 until his retirement in December 2006. Born Alojzij Matej Ambrožič near Gabrje, Slovenia, on January 27, 1930, he and his family fled to Austria in 1945 and later immigrated to Canada in 1948.

He was ordained a priest on June 4, 1955, after completing initial formation at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. Further academic pursuits included a Licentiate in Theology and Sacred Scripture from the Angelicum and Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome (1957–1960), followed by a doctorate in theology from the University of Würzburg in 1970.

Ambrozic’s academic career in Toronto included teaching Scripture at St. Augustine’s Seminary (1960–1967), followed by New Testament exegesis and a deanship at the Toronto School of Theology (1970–1976). He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop in 1976 (consecrated May 27) and named Coadjutor Archbishop in 1986, becoming Archbishop of Toronto on March 17, 1990.

Pope John Paul II elevated him to Cardinal-Priest of Santi Marcellino e Pietro on February 21, 1998. During his tenure he served on several Vatican dicasteries: the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants (1990), Congregation for the Clergy (1991), Pontifical Council for Culture (1993), Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and the Congregation for the Oriental Churches (1999).

He participated as an elector in the 2005 conclave and guided Toronto through World Youth Day in 2002. After retiring on December 16, 2006, he was succeeded by Thomas Collins on January 30, 2007. Cardinal Ambrozic passed away on August 26, 2011, and was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Thornhill.

• Indissolubility of Marriage in the New Testament: Law or Ideal?
  Aloysius M Ambrozic ~ Haywards Heath, England, 1973 ~ ARCCM 19