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News Releases - 2007

News Releases
Special Issues
Statements
Easter Season Reflection from Cardinal George

News Releases

CARDINAL GEORGE TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH MASSES AND CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL VISIT
Chicago, IL (December 20, 2007)
more >>

TOM BRENNAN TO LEAVE POST
AS DIRECTOR OF FINANCE FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
Chicago, IL (December 19, 2007)
more >>

PRAYER SERVICE IN HONOR OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS’ DAY
Priests for Justice for Immigrants Advent Message: Do Not Lose Hope!
Chicago, IL (December 18, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL MAUREEN COLIN
RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
Named 2007 NCEA Distinguished Principal
Chicago, IL (December 12, 2007)
more >>

CHICAGO PRIEST AUTHORS REFERENCE BOOK FOR PASTORAL MINISTERS
Canon Law of the Sacraments for Parish Ministry , by Fr. William Woestman, O.M.I.
Chicago, IL (December 6, 2007)
more >>

THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS TO COMMEMORATE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FEAST DAY
Chicago, IL (December 3, 2007)
more >>

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF FAITH MOVES TO WNTD 950-AM
Archdiocesan Radio Programming Now on New Home for Relevant Radio
Chicago, IL ( November 20, 2007 )
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
EXCEED NATIONAL STANDARDIZED ACHIEVEMENT TEST NORMS
Chicago, IL (November 15, 2007
more >>

2007 CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FUNDS DISBURSED
Chicago, IL (November 9, 2007)
more >>

CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS HONOR SAINTS AND SOULS
All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Day of the Dead Celebrations
Chicago, IL (October 31, 2007)
more >>

ISSUES IMPORTANT TO CATHOLICS DISCUSSED ON
Catholic Community of FAITH POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE
Monday, November 5 on Relevant Radio 820-AM
Chicago, IL ( October 30, 2007 )
more >>

FORMER NEW YORK GIANT CHRIS GODFREY TO DELIVER KEYNOTE
AT FIFTH ANNUAL CHASTITY EDUCATION BENEFIT DINNER
Chicago, IL ( October 23, 2007 )
more >>

A CONVERSATION WITH CARDINAL GEORGE
Program Airs This Weekend on SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s The Catholic Channel
Chicago, IL (October 17, 2007)
more >>

MORE THAN 200 CATHOLIC LAY PEOPLE HONORED FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE
Annual Bishop Quarter and Christifideles Awards
Chicago, IL ( October 16, 2007 )
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO HIRES REAL ESTATE BROKER FOR PASTORAL CENTER TRANSACTION
Chicago-Based Brokerage Firm L.J. Sheridan & Co. to Represent the Archdiocese
Chicago, IL (October 12, 2007)
more >>

CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLS’ OPEN HOUSES SCHEDULED
Prospective Students and Families Invited to Attend
Chicago, IL (October 10, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN CHORAL FESTIVAL AT HOLY NAME CATHEDRAL
Historic, First-time Event Featuring Adult, Teen and Children's Choirs
Chicago, IL ( October 5, 2007 )
more >>

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NAMES SEVEN ARCHDIOCESAN SCHOOLS
AS NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND– BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
Chicago, IL (October 4, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF ASSISTANCE MINISTRY
Chicago, IL (October 1, 2007)
more >>

LIFE NIGHT III YOUTH RALLY COMING TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
Featuring Author and Catholic Apologist Jason Evert
Chicago, IL (September 25, 2007)
more >>

DR. NICHOLAS WOLSONOVICH TO LEAVE POST AS SUPERINTENDENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Chicago, IL (September 24, 2007)
more >>

CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
Thomas Sedor Named 2007 National Distinguished Principal
Chicago, IL (September 19, 2007)
more >>

National Guadalupe Lecture Series Coming to Three Archdiocesan Locations
Providence of God, Holy Name Cathedral and Maryville
Chicago, IL ( September 14, 2007 )
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE ANNOUNCES ARCHDIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Year Long Celebration to Honor 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions of the
Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Bernadette
Chicago, IL (September 12, 2007)
more >>

Cardinal GEORGE TO present over half-million dollars
to Social Justice community organizations
CCHD Grants Address Church’s Effort To Empower the Poor
Chicago, IL ( September 7, 2007 )
more >>

2008 HEART OF THE SCHOOL AWARDS NOMINEES REQUESTED
Recognizing Exceptional Dedication, Leadership and Service
Chicago, IL (September 5, 2007)
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE TO MARK BEGINNING OF
2007-2008 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS’ YEAR
Chicago, IL ( August 30, 2007 )
more >>

REV. JORDAN J. KELLY NAMED DEPARTMENT OF EVANGELIZATION DIRECTOR
Former Dean of Students at Oak Park’s Fenwick High School
Chicago, IL (August 23, 2007)
more >>

BISHOP ABRAMOWICZ SEMINARY’S 4TH ANNUAL BENEFIT BANQUET
Tickets Now Available for September 9 Event Honoring Cardinal George
Chicago, IL (August 10, 2007)
more >>

PUBLIC NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR CATHOLIC LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Winner Announced After Annual Archdiocesan Red Mass, September 30
Chicago, IL (August 1, 2007)
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE DISCUSSES NEW PRIEST RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE
Detailed on Monthly Archdiocesan Cable Television Program
Chicago, IL (July 24, 2007)
more >>

REV. JOSEPH T. NOONAN TO HEAD RESTRUCTURED ARCHDIOCESAN VOCATIONS OFFICE
Chicago, IL (July 23, 2007)
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COMMEMORATIVE POSTER COMMISSIONED FOR CARDINAL GEORGE’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY
Chicago, IL (July 20, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN YOUNG ADULT SERIES THEOLOGY-ON-TAP NOW UNDERWAY
Speakers, Conversation & Theology for College-aged Men and Women, Single and Married
Chicago, IL (July 10, 2007)
more >>

REV. RICHARD P. HYNES NAMED NEW DIRECTOR OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF EVANGELIZATION, CATECHESIS AND WORSHIP
Chicago, IL (July 2, 2007)
more >>

CATHOLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS RECEIVE $70,000 IN GRANTS FROM BP
Honored for Implementing Innovative Activities
To Promote Energy Education and Conservation
Chicago, IL (June 21, 2007)
more >>

MISSION CHICAGO’S YEAR OF SPIRITUALITY
Eternal Life Starts Now: Exploring Our Potential for Growth in Christ at St. Aloysius Church
Chicago, IL (June 20, 2007)
more >>

DREAMS ACROSS AMERICA TOUR TO STOP IN CHICAGO
Presentation, Rallies and Masses for Immigration Reform This Weekend
Chicago, IL (June 13, 2007)
more >>

HISPANIC YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY TO HOLD CONCERT FOR JUSTICE
Chicago, IL (June 7, 2007)
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CARDINAL GEORGE WELCOMES IMMIGRANTS ON FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI
Welcoming the Stranger at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Chicago
Chicago, IL (June 5, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO ORDAINS TWELVE NEW DEACONS
Culmination of Four-Year Diaconate Formation Program
Chicago, IL (May 30, 2007)
more >>

ALL CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
TO REMAIN OPEN IN 2007-2008
Chicago, IL (May 22, 2007)
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE, BISHOPS AND PRIESTS TO CELEBRATE MEMORIAL DAY MASSES AT CATHOLIC CEMETERIES IN COOK AND LAKE COUNTIES
Chicago, IL (May 21, 2007)
more >>

CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS SISTERS AND BROTHERS ENGAGE 10,000
TO PRAY AND CONTACT LEGISLATORS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Chicago, IL (May 18, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO TO ORDAIN THIRTEEN NEW PRIESTS
Men Hail From Six Countries on Four Continents
Chicago, IL (May 16, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OPENS FIRST NEW PARISH SINCE 1999
St. Raphael the Archangel in Antioch
Chicago, IL ( May 14, 2007 )
more >>

TWELFTH ANNUAL CATECHETICAL MINISTRIES AWARDS PRESENTED MAY 8
more >> (catechesis-chicago.org)

MOTHER’S DAY MASS FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS
Cardinal George to Bestow Blessing on all Mothers and Children
Chicago, IL ( May 10, 2007 )
more >>

ELEVEN RETIRING CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS HONORED
Sixth Annual Archdiocese of Chicago Crystal Awards
Chicago, IL (May 9, 2007)
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CARDINAL’S MASS FOR HIS PEOPLE
Celebrating Cardinal George’s 10th Anniversary as Archbishop of Chicago
Chicago, IL (May 1, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO EDUCATOR WINS KOHL MCCORMICK AWARD
Kindergarten Teacher at Frances Xavier Warde School
Chicago, IL (April 30, 2007)
more >>

Archdiocesan Schools Celebrate Pastor Appreciation Day
Students To Show Gratitude with Handmade Cards
Chicago, IL ( April 26, 2007 )
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE REFLECTS ON DECADE AS ARCHBISHOP
On Monthly Cable Television Show
Chicago, IL ( April 23, 2007 )
more >>

18^th ARCHDIOCESAN FOCUS CONFERENCE FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Targeting Relationships, Faith, Work and Personal Growth
Chicago, IL ( April 19, 2007 )
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATE
WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD
Building Better Futures for All Children
Chicago, IL ( April 17, 2007 )
more >>

ECUMENICAL EVENING PLANNED TO HONOR CARDINAL GEORGE
ON HIS 10TH ANNIVERSARY AS ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO
Chicago, IL (April 13, 2007)
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THREE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO TEACHERS NAMED AS FINALISTS FOR THE 2007 KOHL MCCORMICK EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING AWARDS
Chicago, IL (April 12, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN PERSONNEL DIRECTOR EARNS
PRESTIGIOUS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Chicago, IL ( April 9, 2007 )
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OBSERVES NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Archdiocesan Website, Newspapers and Radio Carry Resources
Chicago, IL ( April 2, 2007 )
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ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
REORGANIZED BY CHANCELLOR JIMMY LAGO
Chicago, IL (April 2, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH
NAMES DCFS OFFICIAL AS NEW DIRECTOR OF SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Chicago, IL (April 2, 2007)
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE CELEBRATES HOLY WEEK LITURGIES
Joined by Archdiocesan Priests and Bishops
Chicago, IL (March 27, 2007)
more >>

CARDINAL GEORGE CONGRATULATES FR. JACK WALL ON NEW APPOINTMENT
more >> (catholicextension.org)

20^th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF CASA JESUS SEMINARY
Archdiocese of Chicago’s Hispanic Ministry Formation Facility
Chicago, IL (March 13, 2007)
more >>

JUBILEE MASS FOR CHICAGO’S ONLY ITALIAN-AMERICAN BISHOP
Most Rev. Lawrence Sabatini, C.S., Pastor of Holy Rosary Church
Chicago, IL (March 13, 2007)
more >>

Francis Cardinal George NAMED GRAND MARSHALL
OF CHICAGO’S 52 nd ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
Chicago, IL ( March 9, 2007 )
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ARCHDIOCESAN ELEMENTARY STUDENTS SURPASS NATIONAL
STANDARDIZED ACHIEVEMENT TEST NORMS
Chicago, IL (March 6, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN RESPECT LIFE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Mission Evangelization: Converting Hearts to the Gospel of Life
Chicago, IL (February 27, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESAN DIRECTOR FETED IN WASHINGTON AND CHICAGO
Leads Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Immigration Reform
Chicago, IL (February 26, 2007)
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FIRST SUMMIT FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION IN ILLINOIS
Cardinal George to Attend February 26 in Bloomington
Chicago, IL (February 21, 2007)
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ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLICS PREPARE FOR BEGINNING OF LENT
Liturgical Events Planned at Parishes Across Cook and Lake Counties
Chicago, IL (February 16, 2007)
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29TH AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MASS SET FOR FEBRUARY 22
Celebrated at Recently Renovated Holy Name Cathedral
Chicago, IL (February 14, 2007)
more >>

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO NAMES NEW
GENERAL MANAGER FOR NEW WORLD PUBLICATIONS
Chicago, IL (February 6, 2007)
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2007 ARCHDIOCESAN HEART OF SCHOOL AWARD WINNERS NAMED
Fourteen Elementary and High School Teachers in Seven Categories
Chicago, IL (February 2, 2007)
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LOYOLA BASKETBALL GAME TIPS OFF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Auxiliary Bishops’ and Superintendent of Catholic School’s Visits Highlight Activities
Chicago, IL (January 23, 2007)
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SEVENTH ANNUAL ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE
Highlights Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Chicago, IL (January 19, 2007)
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SECOND ANNUAL ARCHDIOCESAN MARCH FOR LIFE
Area Churches Also To Host Vigils For Life
CHICAGO, IL (January 18, 2007)
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Archdiocesan Parish Leadership Day Set
Called to Serve: Co-Workers in the Vineyard
Chicago, IL (January 11, 2007)
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CATHOLIC CHICAGOANS TO ATTEND D.C. MARCH FOR LIFE
Marking 34^th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision
CHICAGO, IL (January 11, 2007)
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FIFTH ANNUAL ARCHDIOCESAN MASS FOR LIFE
Marks 34th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision
CHICAGO, IL (January 2, 2007)
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ANNUAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL PLACEMENT TEST DATE SET
8 a.m. Saturday January 13 at Archdiocesan High Schools
CHICAGO, IL (January 3, 2007)
more >>

Special Issues

	ARCHDIOCESAN ADMINISTRATIVE CENTERS TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF CARDINAL MEYER AND ARCHBISHOP QUIGLEY
	Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, today announced that the two locations that will house Archdiocesan offices, agencies and administrative staff would be named the Archbishop Quigley Center and the Cardinal Meyer Center. more >>

Our Theology of Church

An Article by
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago
English >> Spanish >> Polish >>

CARDINAL GEORGE ADDRESSES MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
What Kind of Democracy Leads to Secularization?

Cardinal George at the Library of Congress

This 50-minute address by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, was delivered before members of the U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives and the Supreme Court at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on February 13, 2007.

To listen to Cardinal George's lecture titled What Kind of Democracy Leads to Secularization?, please click here.

Seven HISPANIC DEACONS ordained for the archdiocese

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, ordained seven Hispanic men as permanent deacons in ceremonies at St. Barbara Parish in Brookfield. Their names and the parishes in which they will serve are, from left to right:
Oscar Gonzalez, St. Adalbert; Jesus Casas, St. Anthony, Cicero; Aurelio Garcia, Our Lady of Mercy; Cardinal George; Juan Gomez, St. Basil/Visitation; Jose M. Estrada, Our Lady of Guadalupe; Raul Mora, St. Ignatius and Juan D. Valencia, Epiphany

APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION "SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS"

The Press Office of the Holy See has announced the presentation of the post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation "Sacramentum Caritatis" on the Eucharist, source and summit of the life and mission of the Church.

The exhortation, which is dated February 22, Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, is the final document of the synodal assembly held in Rome from October 2 to 23, 2005. It has been published in Latin, Italian, English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Polish.

Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops pointed out that the document, "in presenting the great truths of Eucharistic faith in a way accessible to modern man, considers various current aspects of [Eucharistic] celebration and calls for a renewed commitment to building a more just and peaceful world, in which the Bread broken for everyone's life becomes ... the exemplary cause in the fight against hunger and against all forms of poverty."

Statements

Archdiocese of Chicago

STATEMENT OF FRANCIS CARDINAL GEORGE, O.M.I.
Re: Death of Representative Henry J. Hyde
November 29, 2007

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family of Representative Henry J. Hyde on his passing to eternal life today.

The death of Representative Hyde is a significant loss for our country. As a member of the House of Representatives for more than three decades, Henry Hyde contributed a great deal to the good of our nation and was a powerful champion for those who had no voice in the public square. His concern reached from those not yet born to immigrants. For all who believe that human life is a gift that should be protected, Henry Hyde was an inspiration. He stated once in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, “ God put us in the world to do noble things, to love and to cherish our fellow human beings.” Representative Hyde was exemplary in defending and protecting the lives of unborn Americans and, through the amendment that bears his name, promoted freedom of conscience for Americans who believed their tax dollars should not contribute to destroying innocent human life.

Those who knew Henry Hyde can take solace in a speech he gave that reflected on what will happen at the moment of death: “When the time comes, as it surely will, when we face that terrible moment, the final judgment, I’ve often thought, as Fulton Sheen wrote, that it is a terrible moment of loneliness. You have no advocates there, you are there alone standing before God and a terror will rip your soul like nothing you can imagine. But I really think that those in the Pro-Life movement will not be alone. I think there will be a chorus of voices that have never been heard in this world but are heard very beautifully and very loudly in the next world and I think they will plead for everyone who has been in the movement. They will say to God, ‘Spare them, because they loved us,’ and God will look at us and say not, ‘Did you succeed?’ but ‘Did you try’?”

Today, Henry Hyde went to meet the Lord. I am confident that God will show His mercy to Representative Hyde, and that he was indeed not alone at the time of judgment.

I will join my prayers to those who knew and loved Representative Hyde, that the Lord will bring him quickly home.

Archdiocese of Chicago

STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
REGARDING THE ELECTION OF CARDINAL GEORGE AS
PRESIDENT OF THE USCCB
November 13, 2007

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, today was elected president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore, Maryland by an overwhelming majority of Catholic bishops.

“We are extraordinarily proud as Catholics and Chicagoans that Cardinal George has been chosen for this important leadership position,” said Very Rev. John F. Canary, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago. “During his ten years in Chicago, the Cardinal has developed very strong relationships with people and their parishes, as well as his pastors and priests. His many responsibilities in the Church, as well as his strength as a pastor, will serve U.S. Catholics well in his new role on behalf of the Church in this country.”

Jimmy Lago, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago, remarked that, “The Cardinal has been a compelling voice that speaks on issues of concern, including interfaith relations, Catholic education, expanding vocations, and racial and social justice. He has also been a steadfast protector of children and youth locally, nationally and internationally, as well as an advocate for the important social service work of Catholic Charities in Cook and Lake counties.”

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.

Archdiocese of Chicago

STATEMENT BY CARDINAL FRANCIS GEORGE, O.M.I.
On the death of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, retired Archbishop of Paris

Cardinal Lustiger died August 5, 2007, after a long illness. Aaron Jean-Marie Lustiger was a figure of major importance in the Catholic Church in the second half of the twentieth century. Born into a Polish Jewish family in France in 1926, his own experience, as well as his mother’s death in Auschwitz in 1943, made him a man of dialogue and a builder of bridges between the Jewish and Catholic communities.

He last visited Chicago to give a major lecture at Mundelein Seminary on Pope John Paul II’s theology in 1998, on the twentieth anniversary of the late Pope’s election to the See of Peter. Cardinal Lustiger invited me to come to Paris to give the Lenten Lecture in Notre Dame Cathedral in 2001. I was with him not only at the last Conclave and during numerous meetings in Rome but most poignantly in Normandy in 2004 to remember the 60 th anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Europe during the Second World War.

His poetic imagination joined his prayerful sense of God’s providence in history as he addressed the challenges to the Catholic faith in secularized societies. He was very intent on having faith create culture and, as well as himself writing about twenty books, he brought the Archdiocese of Paris into the realm of modern social communications through a TV station, a radio station and several institutions of higher learning that he founded.

His application of the faith to the situation of the family, of education, of health care, of street people and others often ignored by society shaped the mission of the Church in Paris. He reformed the system for educating and training French seminarians. He organized the World Youth Day of 1997 in Paris and re-invigorated the ministry to young people in France.

I am grateful to God for Cardinal Lustiger’s life and work and friendship. Catholics of Chicago will, I hope, join the Catholics of Paris in praying for the eternal repose of his soul. May he rest in Abraham’s bosom.

Biographical Note on His Eminence Jean-Marie Cardinal Lustiger

Archdiocese of Chicago

Statement of the Archdiocese of Chicago
July 2, 2007

We have been informed that Fr. Daniel McCormack has pled guilty to criminal charges that he sexually abused children. This action follows a yearlong criminal investigation by the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County State’s Attorney. We are grateful that public authorities have acted to bring the matter to justice. Fr. McCormack was withdrawn from ministry in January 2006.

The Archdiocese cooperated with the criminal investigation from its outset. Now that the case is concluded, Cardinal George has instructed his staff to institute proceedings under church law to seek Fr. McCormack’s separation from the ordained priesthood. Commenting on today’s court proceeding Cardinal George said, “The sexual abuse of children is a sin and a crime. When the abuser is a priest, the whole church is affected. Such misconduct by a priest or anyone else associated with the Archdiocese cannot be tolerated.”

Chancellor Jimmy Lago, who is directing the Archdiocese’s efforts to safeguard children, said, “In the months since we learned of this case, we have evaluated our processes and undertaken new initiatives to safeguard children. Sexual abuse exists throughout our society and we know that. When it involves a betrayal of religious trust however, it is especially horrific. Because we are a church, we understand we have a particular call to promote a safe environment for children.”

Archdiocesan Priests with Substantiated Allegations of Sexual Misconduct with Minors

Archdiocese of Chicago

STATEMENT OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
REGARDING REMARKS MADE BY FR. MICHAEL PFLEGER
June 4, 2007

On Saturday, May 26, 2007, during an anti-gun rally at a Riverdale gun shop, Fr. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina parish, reportedly made aggressive and inappropriate statements threatening the store’s owner.

If the comments reported are accurate, and a threat was made, it is up to the civil authorities to investigate the matter and determine what if any action should be taken against Fr. Pfleger.

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, stated, “publicly delivering a threat against anyone’s life betrays the civil order and is morally outrageous, especially if this threat came from a priest. It is first of all up to the civil authorities to determine what threat might have been contained in the remarks attributed to Fr. Michael Pfleger. With that determination, the sponsors of the anti-gun rally and the Archdiocese can better decide how to respond.”

ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO

CARDINAL GEORGE RECUPERATING AT HOME
AFTER HOLY SATURDAY FALL

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, was released from Loyola University Medical Center on Sunday morning and returned home where he celebrated Easter Mass in the private chapel at his Residence.

The Cardinal fractured the top of his right femur when he slipped and fell, apparently on holy water that he had sprinkled on the marble floor, while blessing Easter baskets at St. Ferdinand Church in Chicago. The Cardinal returned to the service but was later taken to the hospital.

Cardinal George will continue his recuperation and maintain his regular work schedule from home. All of his public appearances for the next few days will be temporarily postponed.

Easter Season Reflection from Cardinal George

CELEBRATING THE EASTER SEASON

Easter Season Reflection from Cardinal George
Windows Media (11.8MB) | Quicktime (13.2MB)

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