Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl was installed in June 2006 as the sixth Archbishop of Washington, which includes the District of Columbia and five Maryland counties.

Archbishop Wuerl is known nationally for his catechetical and teaching ministry in the electronic and print media. He is recognized for his commitment to finding new ways to keep Catholic education affordable and accessible. He also has made renewing sacramental life throughout the archdiocese a priority. The Archbishop is active in community and interfaith activities, joining with civic and business leaders to promote education, service to the poor, pastoral assistance to refugees and immigrants as well as interfaith understanding.

            Archbishop Wuerl also serves on numerous national and international bodies and is a member of the council for the Synod of Bishops.  He is chairman of the board of directors of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, chancellor of The Catholic University of America and the former chairman of the board of the National Catholic Bioethics Center.  He is chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis and of the board of the National Catholic Educational Association. He has served as chairman of the USCCB committees on Priestly Life and Ministry, Priestly Formation and Education. He was involved in developing the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults and the National Directory for Catechesis and is the author of numerous articles and books, including the best-selling catechisms, The Teaching of Christ and The Catholic Way.

            The Archbishop was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and received graduate degrees from The Catholic University of America, the Gregorian University while attending the North American College, and a doctorate in theology from the University of St. Thomas in Rome in 1974.  He was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1966, and ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1986 in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.  He served as Bishop of Pittsburgh for 18 years until his appointment to Washington.

(Please note: if a biography or photograph of Archbishop Wuerl is needed for an event or program, please first contact the Archdiocese of Washington's Office of Communications at sgibbs@adw.org or 301-853-4517.)