I offer my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to Bishop Donald Wuerl on his appointment as the sixth Archbishop of Washington. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has shown his confidence in Bishop Wuerl as a prayerful shepherd of the faithful, one who will lead the people of Washington with faith and trust in Jesus. I am certain that his new diocese will welcome him warmly.

I have known Archbishop Wuerl for years. Since becoming Archbishop of Philadelphia, I have come to know him even better as we worked together as fellow Pennsylvania Bishops serving the faithful of the Commonwealth. We also served together in Rome at the Synod of Bishops on The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Life and Mission of the Church in the fall of 2005. Bishop Wuerl has demonstrated his commitment to Jesus and the Church throughout all his years as a priest. He is a thoughtful and intelligent leader who is a skillful communicator using all of the modern tools available to evangelize and deliver the Good News. I am confident that he will bring to the Archdiocese of Washington the same prayerful dedication that he has so ably demonstrated in the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

I also offer my best wishes to Cardinal Theodore McCarrick upon the Holy Father's acceptance of his resignation. Cardinal McCarrick has lived the Gospel values and has been a true servant of the Lord. As shepherd of the Archdiocese of Washington, Cardinal McCarrick took a leadership role on issues of importance not just to Catholics but to many Americans. His pastoral care of the Archdiocese has been that of a shepherd truly concerned for the lives of the faithful and he guided the Archdiocese with pastoral love and zeal.

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Donna M. Farrell
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215-587-3747