Former vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago remembered as visionary leader and beloved mentor.
Most Rev. John R. Gorman, auxiliary bishop emeritus and vicar general of the Archdiocese of Chicago from 1988 to 1995, died peacefully on Monday, June 2, 2025. He was 99.
Bishop Gorman was born on Dec. 11, 1925, in Chicago to Kathryn Maney and Lawrence J. Gorman. He attended Leo High School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He later earned a doctorate in clinical psychology from Loyola University Chicago.
Ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1952, by Cardinal Samuel Stritch, Bishop Gorman celebrated his first solemn Mass three days later at Visitation Parish, now St. Basil Visitation Church.
“Bishop John ‘Jack’ Gorman was the last member of the Class of 1952 to go home to God just shy of his 100th birthday,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “He was a deeply pastoral and visionary leader whose ministry left an indelible mark on all who encountered him. I will miss him dearly, but I am grateful his legacy of faith, dedication, and service to the Church will live on.”
After ordination, Bishop Gorman served as assistant pastor at St. Andrew Parish in Chicago and St. Odilo Parish in Berwyn. He later spent 13 years as pastor of St. Michael Parish in Orland Park. He taught at Quigley Seminary and chaired the psychology department at Niles College Seminary. He also taught at Loyola University’s Institute of Pastoral Studies and in the summer at the University of Notre Dame.
In 1965, Cardinal John Cody appointed him rector and president of Mundelein Seminary, where he helped modernize seminary education following Vatican II. He later served as director of the Department of Parish and Pastoral Services. He was ordained an auxiliary bishop by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in 1988 and held several key roles, including vicar general and vicar for Vicariates I and V. He retired in 2003.
“Bishop Gorman was an example of servant leadership,” said Bishop Lawrence J. Sullivan. “His creativity, ingenuity, faithfulness, and compassion were a true blessing to the seminarians and, therefore, to the Church of Chicago and beyond.”
Bishop Francis J. Kane called Gorman “a wonderful mentor,” and Rev. Edward Mikolajczyk, a former student at Mundelein, praised him as “a visionary” who prepared the Church for the years ahead. “He showed us how to be present and pastoral to the people.”
Rev. Robert J. Heidenreich, who knew Gorman as both a parish priest and seminary teacher, credited him with inspiring his vocation. “He was just a great minister who we, as kids, could look up to.”
Rev. Michael Foley, pastor of Our Lady of the Woods and Gorman’s longtime friend, remembered him as “very people-centered” and deeply attuned to the emotional and spiritual needs of others.
Funeral arrangements will take place at Our Lady of the Woods Parish, 10731 W. 131st St., Orland Park. Lying in state: Monday, June 9, from 2 to 9 p.m., with a vigil at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 10, at 10 a.m. Cardinal Cupich will preside. Rev. Michael Foley will serve as homilist.