Retirement and Death
Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 in June 1998, Bevilacqua submitted his letter of resignation to John Paul II, who allowed the Cardinal to continue in his post. He lost the right to participate in a papal conclave when he reached the age of 80 in June 2003. His resignation was later accepted by the Pope on July 15 of that year, and he served as Apostolic Administrator of Philadelphia until the installation of his successor, Justin Francis Rigali, on October 7, 2003.
In retirement, Cardinal Bevilacqua lived at his home on the grounds of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood. In February, 2011 it was reported that Cardinal Bevilacqua was suffering from cancer and dementia.
In November, 2011, Cardinal Bevilacqua gave a seven-hour deposition in a sealed hearing on the subject of the sexual abuse scandal in the archdiocese. His testimony was videotaped.
Cardinal Bevilacqua died on January 31, 2012, at age 88 in his home in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
| Episcopal lineage | |
| Consecrated by: | Francis John Mugavero |
| Consecrator of | |
|---|---|
| Bishop | Date of consecration |
| Nicholas Carmen Dattilo | January 26, 1990 |
| Edward Peter Cullen | April 14, 1994 |
| Robert Patrick Maginnis | March 11, 1996 |
| Joseph Francis Martino | March 11, 1996 |
| Michael Francis Burbidge | September 5, 2002 |
Read more about this topic: Anthony Bevilacqua
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