Wilton Gregory

Wilton Daniel Gregory Jr., born on December 7, 1947, is a distinguished American Catholic prelate who has made significant contributions to the Church throughout his career. He served as the Archbishop of Washington from 2019 until 2025, marking a pivotal role in the Catholic community in the nation's capital. In 2020, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis, becoming the first African-American cardinal in history.

Gregory's ecclesiastical journey began as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, a position he held from 1983 to 1994. He then became the Bishop of Belleville, serving from 1994 to 2004, before taking on the role of Archbishop of Atlanta from 2005 to 2019. His leadership has been characterized by a commitment to social justice and pastoral care.

Notably, Gregory was the first African-American president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), serving from 2001 to 2004. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in addressing the sexual abuse scandal within the American Catholic Church, leading the USCCB in the issuance of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," which aimed to safeguard the welfare of minors.