Joseph Ritter


Joseph Elmer Ritter
Cardinal, Archbishop of St. Louis
SeeSt. Louis
AppointedJuly 20, 1946
Term endedJune 10, 1967
PredecessorJohn J. Glennon
SuccessorJohn Carberry
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of Santissimo Redentore e Sant'Alfonso in Via Merulan
Previous post(s)
Orders
OrdinationMay 30, 1917
by Joseph Chartrand
ConsecrationMarch 28, 1933
by Joseph Chartrand
Created cardinalJanuary 16, 1961
by John XXIII
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born(1892-07-20)July 20, 1892
DiedJune 10, 1967(1967-06-10) (aged 74)
St. Louis, Missouri, US
MottoIpsa duce non fatigaris
(The leader has not wearied)
Miles es Christi sum
(I am a soldier of Christ)
Ordination history of
Joseph Ritter
History
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byJoseph Chartrand (Indianapolis)
DateMarch 28, 1933
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Joseph Ritter as principal consecrator
Mark Kenny CarrollApril 23, 1947
John CodyJuly 2, 1947
Leo John SteckMay 20, 1948
David Hickey, S.J.September 21, 1948
Charles HelmsingApril 19, 1949
Leo Christopher ByrneJune 29, 1954
Glennon Patrick FlavinMay 30, 1957
George Joseph GottwaldAugust 8, 1961

Joseph Elmer Ritter (July 20, 1892 – June 10, 1967) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of St. Louis from 1946 until his death in 1967, and was created a cardinal in 1961. He previously served as auxiliary bishop (1933–1934) and bishop (later archbishop) (1934–1946) of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Ritter was one of the cardinals elector who participated at the papal conclave in 1963.

Ritter is noted for ending racial discrimination in church schools in both of his archdioceses long before it became mandatory in the United States. He also ended hospital segregation in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and supported the education of African-American students.