Statement of Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick
Upon the Appointment of Bishop Donald W. Wuerl by Pope Benedict XVI as Archbishop of Washington
May 16, 2006

It is with a deep sense of gratitude to the Holy Father that I welcome Archbishop Donald Wuerl to Washington as our new shepherd and guide. He has been a wonderful friend to me over so many years and I have watched with delight and deep respect – and sometimes with more than a little envy – the great things that the Church of Pittsburgh has accomplished under his leadership. I truly cannot think of a better choice for Washington than Bishop Donald Wuerl.

I have always told you that when a bishop comes to a new diocese, he prays that when he leaves it, it will have both enough priests to serve God’s people and to carry on the work of the Gospel and enough resources to put into their hands as they offer that service. I would presume to add a third great prayer and that would be that the Holy Father would be inspired by the Lord to send a great bishop to take my place. He has done that in the selection of Bishop Wuerl and I truly rejoice with all my heart.

In the brief biography which you have received, you can see just some of the extraordinary things he has accomplished in his service of the Church, not just in his own Diocese of Pittsburgh, but nationally and, indeed, in the Universal Church itself. I believe that his time with us will be a golden age in grace and progress, and I look forward to watching all the good things that you and he will do together. He comes to us with the courage and strength of Cardinal O’Boyle, the wisdom and graciousness of Cardinal Baum and the holiness of Cardinal Hickey. He also comes with the enthusiastic support and prayers of Cardinal McCarrick and I know that he will be able to count on the truly outstanding priests, deacons, religious and laity of this tremendous local Church in the nation’s capital. May God bless him on his journey with us as He certainly has blessed us in sending him to us as the sixth bishop of this holy Church of Washington.