In the name of the Church, I want to thank you for all your wonderful service. Today, we are joined with Archbishop Borders, and Bishops Malooly and Rozanski. Later, Bishop Madden will join us, for supper. With them, I express to you the deep gratitude of so many for your continued service to souls. The...Read More

Last week, the Catholic Review published the obituary of Father John F. Long, S.J., a remarkably wise and gifted leader whose service to the Church merits recognition here. From his days on the staff of the Second Vatican Council’s Secretariat for the Promotion of Christian Unity, Father Long displayed qualities of dedication and resourcefulness. At...Read More

(John 1:45-51) The words of Nathaniel in the Gospel passage still ring in our ears, “You are the Son of God….” To Nathaniel, who also was sometimes called Bartholomew, Jesus extended the invitation to follow him in a special way, to be one of the Twelve who would bear witness to the Lord even to...Read More

On Tuesday of last week I felt very deeply that, as we voted in the Sistine Chapel, we were not just the 115 electors, but a whole world of praying people, also present spiritually and calling down the Holy Spirit upon us. Numerous letters, e-mails and telephone messages confirmed this, and they came not only...Read More