LOCAL NEWS: Oakland’s longest serving bishop now dies at the age of 96, the Diocese of Oakland confirmed on Wednesday.
John S. Cummins, the second and longest-serving bishop of the Diocese of Oakland, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 96.
His death marks the end of an era for the diocese, which confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement, acknowledging his significant contributions and legacy of service to the Catholic Church.
Bishop Michael C. Barber expressed profound sorrow over Cummins’ passing, stating, “Our diocese has lost a father, grandfather, shepherd, and true priest of Jesus Christ.
May Christ the Good Shepherd welcome Bishop John into the eternal reward prepared for him who served the flock of Oakland so well.”
These words reflect the deep respect and admiration held for Cummins within the community he dedicated his life to serving.
Cummins was born on March 3, 1928, in Berkeley, California.
He pursued his theological education at St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
His ordination took place on January 24, 1953, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to his faith and community.
His early ministry began as an associate pastor at Mission Dolores Basilica in San Francisco, where he worked tirelessly to support his congregation.
Cummins later took on the role of campus minister at San Francisco State University, demonstrating his dedication to youth and education.
In 1957, he joined Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland as a faculty member, further deepening his ties to the local community.
In 1962, Cummins became the first chancellor of the newly established Diocese of Oakland, a role that set the stage for his future leadership.
His influence grew as he was appointed executive director of the California Catholic Conference of Bishops in Sacramento in 1971, a position he held until 1977.
Cummins also served as the president of the conference from 1988 to 1997, earning respect and recognition for his leadership across the state.
His episcopal journey advanced when he was ordained as a bishop in 1974, serving as auxiliary bishop to the Diocese of Sacramento.
Following the passing of Floyd L. Begin, the founding bishop of the Oakland Diocese, Cummins was appointed as the second bishop of Oakland and officially installed on June 30, 1977.
Over the course of 26 years, he guided the diocese until his retirement at the mandatory age of 75 on October 1, 2003.
Beyond his local responsibilities, Cummins was actively involved in national church affairs.
He chaired various committees for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, focusing on Migration and Refugee Services from 1995 to 1998.
Furthermore, he co-chaired the Roman Catholic-Reformed Presbyterian Dialogue Commission and represented the diocese at significant synods in Rome, including the Synod of the Americas (1997) and the Asian Synod (1998).
The Diocese of Oakland highlighted Cummins’ commitment to the principles established by the Second Vatican Council, his compassion for the underprivileged, and his efforts to foster interfaith dialogue.
“His dedication to building bridges with people of other faiths and cultures has enriched not just the local Catholic community but all who came in contact with him,” the diocese noted.
However, Cummins’ tenure was not without its controversies.
In a letter released in 2022, former Oakland priest Tim Stier criticized Cummins for allegedly enabling the sexual abuse of minors by several priests in the diocese.
Stier claimed that Cummins failed to take necessary actions to prevent abuse by multiple priests who were later removed from ministry.
The diocese did not publicly address these allegations at the time, and Cummins could not be reached for comment.
Faced with over 300 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse spanning decades, the Diocese of Oakland filed for bankruptcy in 2023.
Last month, diocese officials proposed a $117 million fund to compensate victims, reflecting the ongoing challenges within the church.
As the diocese mourns the loss of Bishop Cummins, funeral services will be announced and made public on the diocese’s website, www.oakdiocese.org.
His legacy, marked by decades of service and leadership, will continue to influence the community he cherished and served throughout his life.
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