ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

I have two announcements this morning that bring honor and pride to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has appointed Reverend Monsignor Daniel E. Thomas as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese. I am grateful to the Holy Father for this appointment and his recognition of the pastoral and spiritual needs of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and our almost 1.5 million Catholics.

Bishop-elect Thomas is a native of the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. He attended Roman Catholic High School and Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and was ordained in 1985. During his twenty-one years as a priest he has served the Church faithfully as a Parochial Vicar, administrator and Pastor. He is currently Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford, Chester County, but has recently returned from Rome where he served the Holy See in the Congregation for Bishops. I had the pleasure of having Bishop-elect Thomas working with me for the years that I was Secretary of the Congregation. He is an exemplary priest with a great love for the Church.

Bishop-elect Thomas demonstrates a pastoral care for the faithful which I know will only grow as he assists me in ministering to the entire Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His experience in Rome and in the Archdiocese will be of great benefit to him as he begins his episcopal ministry. I express my gratitude to him for his generous response as we begin our new collaboration, together with the other Auxiliary Bishops, in serving Gods people. It will be my honor to ordain Bishop-elect Thomas on July 26, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. I ask the clergy, religious and laity to join me in rendering praise and thanks to the Lord Jesus, who continually blesses the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

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The Archdiocese has traditionally served the universal Church by providing dedicated priests as Bishops to lead some other Dioceses throughout the country. Now the tradition continues. It gives me great pleasure to announce that Pope Benedict XVI has named Bishop Michael F. Burbidge as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh. Bishop Burbidge is actually in North Carolina this morning, holding his first news conference at his Chancery.

I have expressed to Bishop Burbidge my warm congratulations and best wishes on his appointment. I have also thanked him for his tireless and selfless service as a priest and as an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. I will greatly miss his invaluable assistance to me and his contribution to this local Church, especially his particular concern for his brother priests and all Gods people. It seems that his episcopal ministry has been all too brief here in Philadelphia but the Holy Father has called Bishop Burbidge to serve the larger Church.

This appointment demonstrates the Holy Father's confidence in Bishop Burbidge. Bishop Burbidge is a skillful leader who will shepherd the people of Raleigh with great care and concern for their spiritual well-being. They will come to know Bishop Burbidge as we do; as a compassionate, wise and faith-filled priest and Bishop. He exhibits deep joy in carrying out his priestly duties and serving in Jesus' name; it is a gift to witness his zeal for his ministry.

As Bishop Burbidge begins this new ministry, I offer him my fraternal support and assurance of my prayers. May the Lord bless him and the people of Raleigh.

The date of these announcements, June 8, has special significance. It was on this date two years ago that our Holy Father appointed Bishop Joseph Cistone and Bishop Joseph McFadden as Auxiliary Bishops of Philadelphia. I am so grateful for their assistance and that of Auxiliary Bishop Robert Maginnis. They help me each day with the pastoral and administrative care of the Archdiocese.

This is a joyful time and I ask the Lord to continue to bless and protect the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and all the people of our community.