Raymond Hunthausen, Catholic archbishop who advocated for progressive causes, dies at age 96
The Vatican investigated his pastoral and administrative practices in the 1980s.
Raymond Hunthausen, a retired Catholic archbishop and advocate for progressive causes who was disciplined by the Vatican, died at home with family in Helena, Montana, on July 22 at age 96.
Hunthausen was the bishop of Helena from 1962 to 1975, then led the Seattle archdiocese until 1991. He was the last surviving American bishop to have participated in all of the Second Vatican Council sessions in the 1960s, the New York Times reported.
The Times detailed his progressive stances, such as declining to condemn birth control, allowing a gay Catholic group to have mass at the Seattle cathedral, and supporting women leaders in churches.
