By Father James Maciejewski

Monsignor John D. Stapleton, rector of Atlanta’s Christ the King Cathedral for the past four years, died in his sleep on Saturday morning, August 26. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

Monsignor Stapleton, who was 47, was ordained in his native city of Savannah in 1953. For the first six years of his priesthood he as assistant pastor of Our lady of the Assumption parish.

He was then appointed pastor of St. Bernadette’s parish in Cedartown.

In 1960 he was reassigned as pastor of the new St. Jude’s parish in Sandy Springs. During his eight-year pastorate a church, rectory, school and convent were constructed.

He was a member of several archdiocesan boards and commissions. In 1969 he was promoted to the rank of monsignor.

At his death he was serving as national president of the alumni association of St. Bernard’s Seminary (Rochester, N.Y.).

Four bishops and approximately 80 priests were in attendance at his funeral on Tuesday morning, August 29. Archbishop Thomas Donnellan was the principal concelebrant and homilist.

Prior to his homily the archbishop read a request that Monsignor Stapleton had written into his will in 1966: “The only request I make of the priest (preacher) is that he tell the people I ask their forgiveness if I have ever neglected or offended them in any way.

“I beg their prayers for the repose of my soul and I thank them for all they have done for me the Church.”

Monsignor Stapleton was laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery in Sandy Springs. According to his request the pallbearers were young priests–former assistants and fellow alumni of St. Bernard’s Seminary.

Surviving are Monsignor Stapleton’s mother, Mrs. Catherine Stapleton of Savannah, and his brother, Frank Stapleton of Pascagoula, Miss.