Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Encourage and teach with patience

   I rejoice that among the new members of the College of Cardinals appointed earlier today by Pope Benedict XVI, we find two from these United States: His Eminence Raymond Cardinal-designate Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, and His Eminence Donald Cardinal-designate Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington. In the name of this diocesan Church of Arlington and in my own name, I congratulate them and assure them of our prayerful support and respect.

            In a very particular way, I rejoice in the nomination of my neighbor and brother bishop, Cardinal-designate Wuerl. His appointment to the College of Cardinals signals not only the significance of the Washington Archdiocese within the Church in these United States and beyond, but also the admiration and esteem in which the new Cardinal is held by Our Holy Father and by all of us who have witnessed first-hand the many gifts of mind and heart with which he is endowed and which he has placed so generously and assiduously at the service of the Church dear to him and to all of us.

            From the first day when I met him at the seminary in October 1963 until the present, I have personally witnessed a human being chosen by the Lord to build up His Church with an intelligence that reflects depth of perception and clarity of expression, a zeal that leads to tireless labor and unfailing pastoral care for God’s people and a firm commitment to advance the New Evangelization and Catholic education at every level. I am proud that he can now put his many gifts at the service of the Universal Church through his closer collaboration with the successor of Saint Peter, our beloved Holy Father.

            As his neighbor and brother bishop, I rejoice with and for Cardinal-designate Wuerl and I pledge to him my abiding care and prayerful support. Ad Multos Gloriosque Annos!