Seán Patrick O'Malley (born June 29, 1944) is an American cardinal of the Catholic Church serving as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Boston in Boston since 2003. He is a member of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and was elevated by the Vatican to the rank of cardinal in 2006. Since its creation in 2013, O'Malley has been a member of the Council of Cardinal Advisers, formed by Pope Francis to help him govern the Catholic Church and reform its central administration. Since March 22, 2014, he has been a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and as its president since December 17, 2014. O'Malley previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach in Florida (2002 to 2003), bishop of the Diocese of Fall River in Massachusetts (1992 to 2002), and bishop of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the US Virgin Islands (1984 to 1992). Biography Early life Seán Patrick O'Malley was born as Patrick O'Malley on June 29, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio, the son of Theodore and Mary Louise (née Reidy) O'Malley. Both parents were of Irish descent. O'Malley, his sister, and his older brother grew up in South Hills of Pittsburgh, and Reading, Pennsylvania. At age 12, he entered St. Fidelis High School Seminary in Herman, Pennsylvania, a boarding school for students who were considering joining the Franciscan order. While there, in addition to studying the normal high school subjects, he also studied Spanish, Portuguese, Greek, German, and Hebrew, while also being active in theatre. After graduating from St. Fidelis, he attended Capuchin College and the Catholic University of America, both in Washington, D.C. On July 14, 1965, at age 21, O'Malley professed his vows in the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and took the name Seán in honor of John the Apostle. After he was ordained a deacon, O'Malley spent a brief period in Easter Island, Chile. Priesthood O'Malley was ordained a priest for the Order of Friars on August 29, 1970, at age 26, by Auxiliary Bishop John McDowell. After his ordination, O'Malley graduated from Catholic University with a master's degree in religious education and a Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese literature. He served as a professor at Catholic University from 1969 to 1973. In 1973, O'Malley was asked to minister to Latinos at the Spanish Catholic Center in Washington, D.C. He opened a Spanish bookstore there and