October 24

Maurice Roy (1905–1985) served as Archbishop of Quebec from 1947 until his retirement in 1981. He was elevated to Cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1965 and participated in the Second Vatican Council. Roy championed social justice causes and fostered dialogue between the Catholic Church and other faiths. He also led the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and represented Canada at several international ecclesiastical gatherings. Renowned for his diplomatic skills, he strengthened the Church’s pastoral outreach across Canada.

Born in 1920 in Midland, Michigan, James Aloysius Hickey was ordained a priest in 1946. He served as Bishop of Cleveland before being appointed Archbishop of Washington in 1980. Created a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1988, he was known for his commitment to social justice and the poor. He expanded Catholic Charities programs and advocated for the disenfranchised during his tenure. Cardinal Hickey retired in 2000 and remained influential in church affairs until his death in 2004.

Born in 1924 in Bošany, Czechoslovakia, Korec was ordained a priest in 1949 and clandestinely trained bishops during the communist era. He was arrested in 1951 and spent eight years in prison for his religious activities. After his release, he continued pastoral work in secrecy until the fall of communism. In 1990, he was appointed Bishop and later became Archbishop of the newly formed Archdiocese of Bratislava-Trnava. Pope John Paul II elevated him to cardinal in 1994. He championed religious freedom and the revival of the church in Slovakia. Korec died in 2015, mourned by the global Catholic community for his resilience and faith.