Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Donald W. Wuerl to succeed Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick as archbishop of Washington D.C.
Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, made the announcement Tuesday morning.
Pope Benedict accepted the retirement of Cardinal McCarrick who had served in Washington since his appointment on Nov. 21, 2000.
Archbishop-designate Wuerl will continue to serve as bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh until his installation as archbishop of Washington on June 22.
"The decision of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to transfer me to the Archdiocese of Washington," Archbishop-designate Wuerl said, "is one I embrace in the context of faith in Gods providential care. Although I am greatly aware of my own limitations, I find strength in the Pope’s trust in me and also in the prayerful support I have always found from the Catholic faithful I have attempted to serve here in the Diocese of Pittsburgh."
Looks like the rumors were true. Bishop Wuerl also has the same philosophy as Cardinal McCarrick when it comes to pro-abortion politicians receiving the Eucharist. He had previously said that they should stop receiving of their own accord, but that he would not withhold the sacrament. In fact he went so far as saying that barring a politician from Communion should require a two-thirds vote from the Bishops conference and a mandate from the Vatican.
The Bishop though is solidly pro-life and there have been many positive reports about him, especially in relation to handling of sexual abuse. Bishop Wuerl is currently 65 years old.
10 comments
Bishop Wuerl is also an exceptional teacher. When other shepherds promoted parish-basement sharing circles, he wrote terrific, comprehensive catechisms.
Rich beat me to it–soon-to-be-Archbishop Wuerl is a brilliant catechist. For example, he has been the driving force among the bishops for better textbooks and teaching manuals at all levels of Catholic education.
It’s also true that he has been an example of how to remove child-rapists from the priesthood–which makes him a rarity.
And, IIRC, his thoughts about pro-abort politicians/the Eucharist wasn’t a trope of the unreflective “I’m not going to use the sacrament as a weapon” variety. He was mulling the need to achieve unanimity, and while that can be used to silence the Burkes, Wuerl deserves the benefit of the doubt on that. He is one of the good guys.
I’ve posted a roundup of the coverage, if anyone is interested.
Benedict XVI Names Wuerl As New Washington Archbis
The Curt Jester shares his thoughts.
Isn’t Bishop Wuerl the guy who thought the solution to the terrible scandal perpetrated by pro-baby-murder politicians reminiscent of Ghengis Khan was to form a committee to dialogue and discuss the problem?
I guess it’s nice to hear he believes that child-rape is wrong. That must have put him on the top of Pope Benedict’s resume pile.
See the post at:
http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/006026.php
BillyHW:
Bp. Wuerl has shown a determination to get abusive priests defrocked, even when the Vatican’s initial inclination was to reinstate the perp:
http://www.texnews.com/1998/2002/texas/texas_Pittsburg1117.html
It’s more than “he believes child-rape is wrong.” Give the man credit.
I’ve got more on this over at my site.
Look, give Benedict a break. Sure, there are stellar bishops: Vasa, Sheridan, Olmsted, Burke, Chaput, O’Brien, etc. But they already have dioceses. As for the rest, he doesn’t have much to work with. And Wuerl IS a good catechist. And that’s something that is needed.
The bright side is that McCarrick is gone. I live in DC. You can’t know how happy I am.
Having personally met Bishop Weurl myself and also having watched his show, The Teachings of Christ, I can only recommend him with the highest praise. His is a brilliant man and teacher and the Diocese of Washington is lucky to have him. He will be greatly missed here in Pittsburgh.
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