Retired New Mexico archbishop and former Lubbock bishop Michael Sheehan dies

Alana Edgin, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
·2 min read
Michael Jarboe Sheehan
Michael Jarboe Sheehan
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

A retired New Mexico archbishop, who first became a bishop in Lubbock, has died at the age of 83, according to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

Most Reverend Michael Jarboe Sheehan, Archbishop Emeritus of Santa Fe, died in Santa Fe on Saturday, June 3. He was born July 9, 1939 in Wichita, Kansas, and was first appointed within the church in 1965 in Tyler, Texas.

Sheehan moved on to have appointments across Texas and New Mexico, including:

  • 1965-1968 as Parochial Vicar, Immaculate Conception, Tyler, TX.

  • 1971-1976 as Assistant General Secretary, NCCB / USCC.

  • 1976-1982 as Rector, Holy Trinity Seminary, Dallas, TX.

  • 1982-1983 as Pastor, Immaculate Conception, Grand Prairie, TX.

  • 1983-1993 Appointed as First Bishop, Diocese of Lubbock (Installed June 17, 1983).

  • April 6, 1993 as Apostolic Administrator, Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

  • Aug. 17, 1993 Appointed as Eleventh Archbishop, Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

  • September 21, 1993 Installed as Eleventh Archbishop of Santa Fe.

  • June 17, 2003 Apostolic Administrator of Phoenix (additional duty until December 20, 2003).

  • November 12, 2003 Elected Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (additional duty until Dec. 1, 2006).

During his service, he wrote three articles, one series of pamphlets and 14 pastoral letters. He retired on June 4, 2015, and was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2018.

Beyond his service to the church, he was known as a seeker for social justice. He led initiatives to end poverty, promote equality, and end the death penalty in New Mexico. Sheehan also promoted unity among diverse communities across other faiths.

All of this factored into his motto of compassion, "Love One Another Constantly."

"He was a faithful servant of the Lord, who loved this local Church and all its priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful," said Most Reverend John C. Wester, Archbishop of Santa Fe. "May Archbishop Sheehan rest in peace, and may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace."

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe will release information on funeral arrangements, along with opportunities for the community to honor and celebrate Sheehan.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: New Mexico archbishop, Lubbock bishop, dies in Santa Fe at age 83