On November 12, the U.S. bishops -- gathered in Baltimore for their annual fall General Assembly -- will vote for their next president and vice president. The newly elected officers will begin their terms at the conclusion of the meeting (Thursday, November 14), when Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York and Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, complete their respective terms as president and vice president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Ten candidates are nominated by their brother bishops for the presidency and vice presidency. Following, in alphabetical order, is a breakdown with some vital statistics of this year's slate:
1. Archbishop Gregory Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans
- Born November 12, 1949
- Ordained a priest of New Orleans May 10, 1975
- Auxiliary bishop of New Orleans, 1997-2000
- Coadjutor bishop of Austin, Texas, 2000-2001
- Bishop of Austin, Texas, 2001-2009
First native of New Orleans to serve as its archbishop. Currently wrapping up a term as chairman of USCCB's Divine Worship Committee, during which time he oversaw the implementation of the new English translation of the Roman Missal. Also serves USCCB Committees on Communications and Domestic Justice and Human Development.
2. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap.
Archbishop of Philadelphia
- Born September 26, 1944
- Ordained a priest of the Capuchin Franciscan Order, August 29, 1970
- Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, 1988-1997
- Archbishop of Denver, 1997-2011
Currently chairs the Subcommittee on Native American Catholics. Serves on the USCCB Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church and as a consultant to the Pro-Life Activities Committee.
3. Bishop Blase J. Cupich
Bishop of Spokane, Washington
- Born March 19, 1949
- Ordained priest of Omaha, Nebraska, August 16, 1975
- Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota, 1998-2010
Previously served as chairman of the USCCB Committee on Child and Youth Protection (2008-11), overseeing release of John Jay Causes and Context Study. Currently chairs the Subcommittee on the Church in Central and Eastern Europe and is a member of the National Collections Committee.
4. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo
Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
- Born May 23, 1949
- Ordained priest of Pittsburgh, July 16, 1977
- Coadjutor bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, 1997-1998
- Bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, 1998-2004
- Coadjutor bishop/archbishop of Galveston-Houston, 2004-2006
- Elevated to cardinal, 2007
First cardinal from Texas. Chairman-elect of the bishops' Committee on Divine Worship. Former chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities (2009-2012) and current member of that committee, as well as National Collections Committee and Subcomittee on Health Care Issues. Participated in the March 2013 conclave to elect Pope Francis.
5. Archbishop José H. Gomez
Archbishop of Los Angeles
- Born December 26, 1951
- Ordained priest of Opus Dei, August 15, 1978
- Auxiliary bishop of Denver, 2001-2004
- Archbishop of San Antonio, 2004-2010
- Coadjudutor archbishop of Los Angeles, 2010-2011
Head of the largest diocese in the United States. Member at large of USCCB Executive Committee. Chairman of Committee on Migration. Member of Subcommittee on Divine Worship in Spanish, the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America and consultant to Committee on International Justice and Peace.
6. Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky
- Born August 18, 1946
- Ordained priest of Allentown, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1972
- Bishop of Knoxville, Tennesee, 1999-2007
Vice president of USCCB since 2010. Former chairman of USCCB's then-Ad Hoc Committee on the Defense of Marriage.
7. Archbishop William E. Lori
Archbishop of Baltimore
- Born May 6, 1951
- Ordained priest of Washington, May 14, 1977
- Auxiliary bishop of Washington, 1995-2001
- Bishop of Bridgeport, Connecticut, 2001-2012
Serves as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus. Chairman of the bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty. Member of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, the Committee on Budget and Finance and the Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage. Consultant to the Committee on Doctrine.
8. Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati
- Born June 21, 1948
- Ordained priest of Sioux City, Iowa, July 20, 1974
- Bishop of Duluth, Minnesota, 2001-2008
- Coadjutor archbishop of Cincinnati, 2008-2009
Organizer of World Youth Day Denver in 1993 and served as general secretary of the U.S. bishops from 1995-2001. Chairman of the Committee on National Collections. Member of the Committee on Budget and Finance.
9. Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron
Archbishop of Detroit
- Born October 21, 1948
- Ordained a priest of Detroit, July 26, 1975
- Auxiliary bishop of Detroit, 1996-2003
- Coadjutor bishop of Oakland, California, 2003
- Bishop of Oakland, California, 2003-2009
First Detroit native to head the archdiocese. Member of the Committee on Doctrine and the Subcommittee on the Catechism.
10. Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski
Archbishop of Miami
- Born October 18, 1950
- Ordained priest of Miami, May 15, 1976
- Auxiliary bishop of Miami, 1997-2003
- Coadjutor bishop of Orlando, Florida, 2003-2004
- Bishop of Orlando, 2004-2010
First Miami native to head the archdiocese. Chairman-elect of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development. Member of the Committees on Migration and International Justice and Peace and the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America. Consultant to the Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
Archbishop of Miami
Would those presenting the information regarding each candidate, please provide a list of which of these Bishops/Archbishops/Cardinals have discontinued collections for the CCHD in their diocese? Some Bishops have, and I would applaud that choice alone over all other credentials.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts:
Not Archbishop Chaput (whom I have held in high esteem, but I believe he is beginning to fade under (pressure) ...clearly, his moment was at the heighth of the Kermit Gosnell trial to bring the horror of abortion to the misinformed masses. We needed him to pounce and reveal the diabolical practices but none came.
Not Archbishop Lori (quite kind BUT)...far too silent on the most important issues.
Not Archbishop Vigneron who admirably spoke candidly about same-sex attraction, etc...BUT fell silent when challenged by a fellow Michigan Bishop (a dissenter at that). Additionally, the Archbishop has not ended the dissenting priests' group, elephants in the living room (or something like that) which has lasted far too many years.
Although he endures many challenges regarding immigration, and deserves our
prayers, Not Archbishop Gomez...sorry, but immigration laws that have been ignored need to be tended to before taking on yet another full scale amnesty. The entry was illegal, and we cannot and should not be required to sink ourselves in another Obama disaster.
Bishops need to catechize this uncatechized nation, proclaim the Truth for the salvation of souls and offer more frequently the sacraments. Bishops need to
get out of politics and all political government back-slapping, buddying up for dollars. The Bishops supported Obamacare and are
now beginning to see the evil and gross incompetence of this regime...cost upon cost upon cost upon lies upon lawsuits upon lawsuits upon cost upon
cost upon lies upon lies upon lies upon lies...
I actually heard a Cardinal blaming the GOP for the shutdown and for so many financial problems we are now experiencing! Oh my! That shutdown was the refusal of Reid and the president, himself, who childishly would not give an inch. Hah! Now look at their lies and disaster of millions and billions spent on Obamacare which forces evil upon our entire country. Bishops, we need you to be Bishops. To proclaim Truth and to shout from the pulpit, such as, do not vote for politicians that promote intrinsic evil or your immortal souls are in danger!
You have my daily prayers.
That the Holly Spirit guide and direct the right man for the new position of President and Vice-President.
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