By Francis X. Maier, The Catholic Thing - Chicago-born, George contracted polio as a boy. He recovered, but suffered its painful aftereffects for the rest of his life. His experience with the disease barred him from consideration for Chicago’s diocesan clergy, so he turned to religious life instead. He rose to leadership and traveled globally for his order, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, earned his doctorate in philosophy, and went on to serve as bishop of Yakima, Washington, and archbishop of Portland, Oregon, before his transfer to Chicago. He was the city’s first native-born archbishop.