Bishop James Griffin marked another milestone in his 63-year career as a priest and bishop on Tuesday, April 25, which was the 40th anniversary of his installation as the 10th bishop of Columbus.
The retired bishop said there was nothing special to mark the occasion. He celebrated Mass at the condo where he has lived in Powell since retiring as bishop for health reasons in 2004.
Bishop Griffin had been an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland when he was appointed by Pope St. John Paul II on Feb.7, 1983 to succeed retiring Bishop Edward Herrmann. Bishop Frederick Campbell, then auxiliary bishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis, was Bishop Griffin’s successor in Columbus.
Bishop Campbell also lives in retirement in the Columbus area. The two frequently attend diocesan clergy gatherings and other events together.
Bishop Griffin was shepherd of the Diocese of Columbus for 21 years, longer than anyone except Bishop James Hartley, whose tenure began in 1904 and lasted for 40 years until his death in 1944.
Knee replacement surgery after his retirement enabled Bishop Griffin to keep a busy schedule. He served as a weekend associate priest at Powell St. Joan of Arc Church and played golf often on the course adjacent to his home until the COVID pandemic hit in mid-March 2020.
He said he now walks to the golf course but doesn’t play. He still will celebrate Mass in a church on occasion if a priest needs help.
He said his thoughts on his future are much the same as those he expressed to The Catholic Times in an August 2022 interview. The retired bishop said then, “Old age has been a gift from God because of how it’s allowed me to look back and appreciate what I’ve done, to live in the present and enjoy the opportunities of each day and to look forward to the joy of returning to God. At my age, death is a constant thought. I feel ready for it, and when I get up every morning, the first thing I do is say, ‘God, thank you for this day.’”
