Papal Envoy to Meet Louisiana Leaders on Hurricane Relief, Will Visit Shelters, Hospital
BATON ROUGE, LA— (September 9, 2005) Pope Benedict XVI is sending papal envoy Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, to meet with Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes of New Orleans, Bishop Robert W. Muench of Baton Rouge and other state and local officials September 12. Others expected at the meeting include Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, Father Larry Snyder, President of Catholic Charities USA and Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
Also invited are Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, U.S. Rep. William Jefferson, U.S. Rep. Bobby Jindal, U.S. Rep.Charles Melancon, U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, Mayor Kip Holden of Baton Rouge, Senate President Donald Hines, Speaker of the House Joe Salter.
The meeting will be followed by a media briefing.
When:
Monday, Sept. 12, 3 p.m. CST
Where:
Catholic Life Center
1800 S. Acadian Thruway
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Sunday September 11 activities in the visit of Archbishop Cordes include
10:00 a.m. Mass – The Cathedral of St. Joseph, 412 North Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Governor Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana will be a lector)
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Meetings with Victims and Rescue Workers throughout the afternoon
1) Red Cross Shelter--Baton Rouge River Center, River Road at Government Street
2) Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, 5000 Hennessy Blvd, Baton Rouge
3) St. Anthony of Padua shelter (Vietnamese evacuees) 2580 Tecumseh, Baton Rouge
4) Second Harvest/Food for Families, 14741 Plank Road @ Groom Road, Baker, LA
Monday, September 12
Morning; Tentative Navy helicopter ride from Baton Rouge to Biloxi to meet with Bishop Thomas Rodi of Biloxi and survey damage there.
2:00 p.m. Meeting with bishops and local and state government officials, Catholic Life Center, 1800 S. Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70821
3:00 p.m. Press conference, same location