George H. Tavard
February 6, 1922 - August 13, 2007
February 6, 1922 - August 13, 2007
Georges Henri Tavard was born in Nancy, France on February 6, 1922. He made profession of religious vows as an Assumptionist on December 27, 1943 and was ordained to the priesthood on March 2, 1947.He received a Doctorate in Theology from Universite Catholique de Lyon in 1949.
After spending a few years in England, he came to the United States in 1952 and has been here ever since.
Fr. Tavard was a Peritus at the Second Vatican Council serving especially with the Protestant delegation. He held several teaching positions at American Universities and Seminaries, most notably at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Marquette University in Milwaukee.
Fr. Tavard authored over 55 books and numerous articles, mostly on ecumenical subjects. Until his death he was busy writing and lecturing.
Fr. George enjoyed membership in a number of important ecumenical venues. Among them we can mention the Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission in the United States, Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue in the United States, Joint Commission between the Roman Catholic Church and the World Methodist Council.
Fr. George died suddenly in Paris on August 13, 2007. Funeral services and burial will be in Paris. A Memorial Service in the United States is being planned for a later date.
In addition to his Assumptionist brothers, Fr. Tavard leaves a sister, Anne Marie Rossetti and a brother, Jean-Marie as well a niece, Alvira.
For more about the life and work of Fr. Tavard, visit the Augustinians of the Assumption web site.