USCCB President’s Statement on the Passing of Cardinal Keeler

 WASHINGTON—Cardinal William H. Keeler, retiredarchbishop of Baltimore and president of the U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops (USCCB) from 1992-1995, was a "servant of priestly virtue andgentlemanly manner," said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston,president of USCCB. He was greatly known for his work as a faith leader inecumenism and interreligious affairs.

Cardinal Keeler, who retired in 2007, died March 23 atSt. Martin's Home for the Aged in Baltimore. He was 86.

Cardinal DiNardo's statement follows:

Thismorning, the Lord called home His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, a servantof priestly virtue and gentlemanly manner. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops remembers hisgenerosity of spirit in service to his brothers and the people of God,especially the Cardinal's time as president from 1992 to 1995. We offer prayersof gratitude for Cardinal Keeler's return to the Lord he so dearly loved.

As apriest, Bishop of Harrisburg, and Archbishop of Baltimore, the Cardinal workedto bring the hope of Christ to people's lives. He also built bridges ofsolidarity to people of other faiths as a leader in ecumenism andinterreligious affairs. Cardinal Keelerwas a dear friend. The most fittingtribute we can offer is to carry forward his episcopal motto in our dailylives: "Do the work of an evangelist."

---Keywords: USCCB, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Pope Francis, Year of Mercy, Jubilee Year, mercy,apostolic letter

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Norma Montenegro FlynnO: 202-541-3200