Jean Jadot: Paul's Man in Washington

This book is a biography of Archbishop Jean Jadot (1909-2009) a Belgian bishop and Apostolic Delegate to the United States from May 23, 1973 to June 27, 1980. His episcopal appointments were far different from those of his predecessor, Luigi Raimondi (1967-1973) or his successor, Pio Laghi (1980-1984).The Jadot bishops, at the request of Pope Paul VI, were less big-business-type managers and more pastorally-oriented leaders with a generally open-minded and contemporary approach to Catholic life. Like Jadot, the Second Vatican Council was their inspiration. Archbishop Jadot asked me to be his biographer. Over a period of several years, with notebook and tape recorder in hand, I asked questions, and Jadot talked and offered candid observations. In the course of a friendship that lasted close to thirty years, Archbishop Jadot gave me access to documentation, correspondence, his diaries, photos, etc. I became his archivist as well, especially for documentation pertaining to his years in the United States. Pope Paul VI held Archbishop Jadot in very high regard. Sentiments about the Archbishop at the Vatican, changed significantly, however, with the election of Pope John Paul II. In 1980, a physically worn-out Jadot offered his resignation to Pope John Paul II. It was happily accepted.