Beloved shepherd Archbishop Philip Hannan remembered

Reflections
A Hero’s Life

Dorinda Bordlee
Vice President, Senior Counsel, Bioethics Defense Fund
    As I entered the archbishop’s beautifully furnished rooms in the Chateau de Notre Dame Apartments on Tuesday (Sept. 27), I thought back on several prior times that I had visited the archbishop over the past few years when we were told he was near the end. His fighting spirit had always pulled him through against all odds, as he rose up again and again to proclaim the incarnate Truth in word and action.
    But this time, it was clear this would really be the last time that I’d have the honor and privilege to visit “The Archbishop.”
    It was surreal to be able to kiss the head of a saint on the doorstep of heaven. When I told him that his friends at Our Sunday Visitor and the Catholic Foundations of New Orleans and Phoenix had helped Nik Nikas and me to bring the Bioethics Defense Fund Hannan Institute to a Vatican medical conference and that Cardinal Stafford was so genuinely delighted to hear of our work with law and medical students in the name of his old friend Hannan, he perked up and tried to take his oxygen mask off.
    He could only say, “OK, OK, OK, OK.” He was clearly signaling his understanding and excitement. His eyes were closed, and he was curled up comfortably in bed. I asked for his blessing on our work and all of our generous supporters, and he lifted up his shaking arm, and then took my hand and held it tight for so long. I asked him to pray for all of us here when he got to heaven, and to kiss all of those babies in whose memory we work. He squeezed my hand and wouldn’t let go as we sat together for quite a bit of time.
    Like everyone here in New Orleans, I am so very proud of Archbishop Hannan and how he represented the best of our city and our faith. Like everyone here in New Orleans, I am simultaneously sad at our loss yet joyful about his homecoming parade where he certainly will be “in that number … when the Saints go marching in.”
    St. Archbishop Hannan, pray for us.

Tom Rayer
Retired attorney from the New Orleans law firm of Denechaud and Denechaud
    The suffering of the poor and persons otherwise in need was unquestionably of prime concern to the archbishop. He therefore set about the task of providing relief to those in need without regard to their religious affiliation.
    One of his first accomplishments was to convert the swimming pool at the seminary into a part-time recreation pool for underprivileged neighborhood children. At the same time, he began the task of planning housing for the elderly in need. The Social Apostolate and many other projects were soon to follow.
    Now, reflecting on his steadfast determination to reach out to those in need, I wonder to what extent he may have been moved to continue on – despite obstacles – by the memories of pain and suffering he witnessed during World War II.
    I can only speculate that it might have been God’s will that the archbishop be sent into the midst of warfare to not only minister to men in battle but that the memory of this experience might serve to inspire him in the future.
    I also remember his concern, early in his career as archbishop, with the church’s relationship with state government. He wanted to have someone experienced to convey the Catholic church’s positions to the governor and legislators. Annual efforts were made to eliminate state funding for bus transportation, textbooks and school supplies for Catholic schools, and there always was the potential challenge of pro-abortion legislation. So, he organized a team that would review legislation and make recommendations. This team also would arrange for an informal meeting with members of the Legislature before each session. Archbishop Hannan would attend and express his expectations for the coming session. He also received annual luncheon invitations from a succession of governors.

Sister Eva Regina Martin
Congregational Leader
Sisters of the Holy Family
    As Sisters of the Holy Family our hearts are heavy and saddened at the passing of our beloved Archbishop Hannan. We praise and thank God for his life and dedication to all God’s people.
    As Sisters of the Holy Family, we are indebted to his courage, love and remembrance for having the wisdom to go to Rome and ask Pope John Paul II to open the cause of canonization for our beloved foundress, Venerable Mother Henriette Delille. He was the first American Archbishop to ask Rome to open the cause of sainthood for an African-American. He will always remain in our hearts.

Father Dominic Nghiem Van Nguyen
Pastor and the parishioners of Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish
 Former Archbishop Philip Matthew Hannan was more than just a wonderful archbishop; he was the father of our race in America and the founder of the Vietnamese community in New Orleans. 
    During the time of exodus after the fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnamese refugees scattered all over the world. Archbishop Hannan brought us to this promised land, New Orleans, sheltered us under the eagle’s wings of the archdiocese, and established us as the first Vietnamese Catholic parish in the United States under the title Mary Queen of Vietnam Church. We are forever grateful for the love and support he had for us, and we owe great favors to the founder of our community.