Archbishop William D. Borders

Archbishop Borders died peacefully on April 19, 2010, at 10:03 at Stella Maris in Timonium at the age of 96.

“Archbishop Borders was a man of deep faith, great humility and great love for God, the Church and this Archdiocese,” said Archbishop Edwin O'Brien. “As a result, he was universally loved by the people of this local Church, by his brother bishops and priests, and by all who were blessed to call him Archbishop, Father, teacher, brother and friend.

“By any measure William Donald Borders served an extraordinary life. From the very date of his birth on October 9, 1913 in the middle of a flood so fierce it lifted his family home off its foundation and the doctor had to be transported to the home by boat, to his chaplaincy service during World War II in North Africa and Italy, which earned him the Bronze Star for Valor, the Archbishop’s quite strength would guide him throughout his life of service.

“That strength would be called on throughout his tenure as the first-ever Bishop of Orlando and eventually the 13th Archbishop of the oldest Catholic diocese in the Nation, as he was forced to tackle a number of pressing issues, including the desegregation of public schools, housing for the poor, and the role of the laity in the Church.

“Ever the teacher, the Archbishop would guide the faithful on these and other issues with his prolific writings, many of which remain relevant today and serve as guides for Church leaders throughout the United States.

“The Church and people of God of this Archdiocese benefitted immeasurably from his visionary leadership, indefatigable spirit and generous love. On a personal note, I counted him among my most worthy advisors since my arrival in Baltimore and will miss his fraternal love and supportive and joyful presence. May he be welcomed into God’s kingdom where he will suffer no more and where he will know God’s peace for all eternity.”

Funeral ceremonies were held at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. On Thursday, April 22, was the reception of the body and public visitation. On Friday, the Mass of Christian Burial took place at 1:00 PM, followed private entombment in the Cathedral Crypt.

See more photos from the funeral of Archbishop Borders.
WBAL Coverage of Archbishop Borders' Funeral - view it online.
Flashback: Profile of Archbishop Borders - view it on WBAL.
The Catholic Review - view the Youtube Playlist from the funeral

See a Video Tribute of Archbishop Borders:

Memorial Contributions are being directed to the Archbishop Borders Educational Enhancement Fund of the Catholic Family Foundation of the Archdiocese of Baltimore to benefit children attending Archbishop Borders Elementary School.

William Donald Borders was born Oct. 9, 1913, in Washington, Indiana, and attended parochial elementary and high schools there. He began his studies for the priesthood in 1932 at St. Meinrad Seminary in his native state, but in 1936 transferred to Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in response to an appeal from Archbishop Joseph Rummel of that city. He was ordained by Archbishop Rummel in New' Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral on May 18, 1940.

He served as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando from 1968-1974 and then as Archbishop of Baltimore from 1974-1989.

Biography:
13th Archbishop of Baltimore

Info posted on other sites upon the death of Archbishop Borders:

• Special Section in The Catholic Review
• Statement of Archbishop Edwin O’Brien
• Statement of William Cardinal Keeler
• Statement of Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly
• Coats of Arms of Archbishop Borders
• Chaplain Borders Earns Bronze Star in WWII
• Archbishop Border's Pastoral Letters
• Photo Gallery at the Archdiocesan website
• Photos Gallery at The Baltimore Sun
• Reflections on Baltimore’s Archbishop Borders (Baltimore Sun, April 19, 2010)
• Archbishop Borders dies at age 96 (Baltimore Sun, April 19, 2010)
• Blog by Rocco Palma, "Whispers in the Loggia"