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Words of praise and thanksgiving
archived from: 2006-05-26

Following the announcement of Bishop Donald Wuerl’s new assignment as archbishop of Washington, many prominent business, religious and civic leaders expressed their encouragement and best wishes. Their edited responses follow:

“Since serving as Cardinal Wright’s personal secretary at the founding of Christian Associates in 1970, Bishop Wuerl has been a passionate participant in this regional association of 25 judicatories, representing 15 Christian traditions — Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant in the 10-county southwestern region of the commonwealth. His television program, ‘The Teaching of Christ,’ is carried on Christian Associates Television, Channel 95 in the city of Pittsburgh and on Comcast On Demand.

“Expanding ecumenical and interfaith engagement has been a hallmark of Bishop Wuerl’s collegial relationship with his fellow Christian leaders. Under Bishop Wuerl’s leadership, they founded the Christian Leaders Fellowship in Pittsburgh among those Christian leaders directly responsible for the churches of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.

“Bishop Wuerl has been an active participant in the Religious Leaders Forum of Southwestern Pennsylvania, where Christian leaders, rabbis and Muslim leaders come together for interfaith dialogue and address issues of community concern.”

— Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania

“Bishop Wuerl has long been a member of Carnegie Mellon’s Diversity Advisory Council, where he was an inspiration to all of us. He often spoke eloquently of the importance of our work to increase diversity and tolerance both on our campus and in the world.

“A man of profound moral and intellectual force, Bishop Wuerl has had great impact on our city, bringing us all closer together.

“With gratitude for his strong and steady leadership in Pittsburgh and confidence that he will offer even more distinguished service in Washington, I extend my best wishes to Bishop Wuerl as he moves on to the exciting challenges ahead.”

— Jared L. Cohon, president, Carnegie Mellon University

“Over the years, I have profoundly appreciated Bishop Wuerl’s deep personal friendship and his affection for Pittsburgh Episcopalians, as well as his extraordinary leadership in our ecumenical efforts here in southwest Pennsylvania. We will greatly miss him. At the same time, it is precisely because of those many gifts in Christian leadership that he has demonstrated here that I can say ‘Godspeed’ as he is called to be the church’s primary apostle in Washington, D.C. Bishop Wuerl has my continuing prayers and support as he accepts this new call from the Lord.”

— Bishop Robert Duncan, Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh

“I have had the privilege of knowing and working with Bishop Wuerl for a long time. He has been a constant, principled shepherd for our community and will be an incredible asset both to the archdiocese and the communities of Washington, D.C. While I am sorry that he will be leaving our region, I know that his moral guidance and steady resolve will benefit our nation’s capital at a time when we desperately need it. I look forward to continuing to work with him and will continue to seek his insight whenever possible. I wish him the best in this wonderful new assignment.”

— U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart

“Many of us remember a JNF trip to Israel in 1995 where Bishop Wuerl was the tour director par-excellence. With his wealth of knowledge and diplomatic skills, he went from introducing the mayor of Jerusalem to recounting the stories of Masada. He remarked on the geographic significance of the Golan Heights and the history of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran. He said beautiful Masses for our group at the Mount of Beatitudes and most memorably for us at the Church of the Restoration of St. Peter at the Sea of Galilee, where Father Andrew Fischer and Father Larry DiNardo renewed their priestly vows. This was a truly ‘feed my sheep moment.’

“Thanks for your great teaching and for your example as a man of prayer. You are surely ready for this next assignment, but it is critical that you maintain your affinity for Pittsburgh and continue to root for the Steelers.”

— Christopher Donahue, president and chief executive officer, Federated Investors Inc.

“During the time that it has been my privilege to collaborate with Bishop Donald Wuerl, I have experienced first-hand his sincere, deeply spiritual and expert leadership. As Carlow University’s president, I have greatly appreciated his commitment to dialogue with Catholic colleges and universities in the Pittsburgh area. Certainly, the Diocesan Academic Council, which the bishop formed in response to ‘Ex Corde Ecclesiae’ — and which has become a national model — has supported and encouraged open dialogue about the opportunities and challenges inherent in guiding Catholic institutions of higher learning.

“Just a few days ago, Carlow University was honored when Bishop Wuerl presided as celebrant and homilist at our baccalaureate Mass at St. Paul Cathedral in Oakland. It was a truly memorable occasion — and his words inspired the Carlow University community, our graduates and their families.”

— Dr. Mary Hines, president, Carlow University

“Bishop Wuerl has been a true friend and advocate of Catholic higher education. I have always been grateful for the interest which he has taken in La Roche College, and I especially appreciate the inspirational messages which he had for the students every year when he celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit on campus. We will miss him, but we will always be inspired by the example which he has given, and continues to give, of living our faith to the fullest in all that he does.”

— Sister Candace Introcaso, president, La Roche College

“As the spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., Bishop Donald Wuerl will be an excellent shepherd, collaborative leader and a kind and caring person to all. The Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., is richly blessed with large racially and ethnically diverse populations and Bishop Wuerl’s leadership and pastoral ministry will be one that is welcoming, inclusive of everyone and committed to social justice. As archbishop in Washington, he will have many opportunities to use his skills as a great communicator and his knowledge and understanding of the Gospel to teach. Bishop Wuerl understands that all groups in the church have something to say, and the children of the archdiocesan schools, parishes and the larger community will find out how caring he is when he kneels or bends down to their level to listen to them. My prayers are with Bishop Wuerl as he goes to Washington, D.C., in answer to God’s call.”

— Veronica Morgan-Lee, executive director, Crossroads Foundation

“Bishop Donald Wuerl is an excellent choice as the new archbishop of Washington. Having served as a bishop for more than two decades and having worked in Rome years ago, he understands the gifts and challenges of pastoral leadership. He has a wonderful way of teaching and communicating the message of Christ.

“Bishop Wuerl is a longtime friend and colleague. I have been grateful for his friendship. We have collaborated on many projects over the years, including the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center. He is well equipped to serve in our nation’s capital. The people of the Archdiocese of Washington are fortunate to have him as their shepherd.”

— Cardinal Adam Maida, archbishop of Detroit

“On a recent morning I was walking down Fifth Avenue in Oakland with Bishop Wuerl, when a cab driver tooted his horn and called out ‘Good luck, Bishop Wuerl!’ It’s the type of scene we would all recognize had it been a Pittsburgh Steeler. But the bishop of Pittsburgh? Absolutely! It was a clear demonstration of the love and respect this town has for him.

“Many of us know him as mentor, spiritual teacher and friend. His patience, wisdom and faith helped the city heal through difficult times, and served as inspiration during times of doubt.

“Perhaps these are the very qualities the Holy Father was seeking when he appointed Bishop Wuerl to lead the archdiocese of our nation’s capital. I have no doubt that Archbishop Wuerl will play a vital role in shaping the spiritual direction of Washington, D.C.”

— U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy

“I want to express my joy and good wishes to Archbishop-designate Donald Wuerl as he assumes the roles of chief shepherd for Catholics of the Archdiocese of Washington and servant to all people of faith in our nation’s capital. I have known Archbishop-designate Wuerl for more than 40 years, first as a fellow seminarian studying in Rome and then subsequently as a priest and brother bishop. In fact, we were ordained together in Rome in 1966.

“I know that the people of the local church of Washington will soon come to recognize in him what I and the people of the local church of Pittsburgh have long known — that he is deeply committed to the faith and to the church and her people. He is a compassionate and loving pastor, and a staunch defender of human dignity.”

— Archbishop John Myers of Newark

“Bishop Wuerl was called to serve the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a responsibility he has discharged with distinction. It is clear, however, that the bishop also has ministered to an even larger flock. Throughout our home region, people of all faiths have looked to him as an inspirational role model and as a source of principled guidance.

“The bishop’s words and deeds always are firmly grounded in his values and reflect his uplifting belief in the basic goodness of people. His warm and inviting personal manner and his strong but caring leadership style have earned him deep respect and heartfelt affection. “Bishop Wuerl is both this region’s revered father and one of its favorite sons. We will miss him, but it is hard to imagine anyone better suited for the role that awaits him in Washington.”

— Mark Nordenberg, chancellor, University of Pittsburgh

“During his many years of service, Bishop Wuerl offered invaluable wisdom, insight and leadership to the objectives of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. He takes a very proactive approach with public policy questions and has found many ways to bring the Catholic Church’s teachings on theology and moral issues to the debate in the public square. We wish him the best of luck and Godspeed.”

— Dr. Robert O’Hara Jr., executive director, Pennsylvania Catholic Conference

“Bishop Donald Wuerl is a great man and leader, and over the years he has become a great personal friend. When I learned of his appointment, I had mixed emotions of excitement for this much-deserved promotion and disappointment about losing his leadership and presence in our community.

“I often turned to Bishop Wuerl for counsel in times of crisis. Just nine months after I took office, 14 municipalities in Allegheny County were damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Ivan. Bishop Wuerl provided me with the faith and encouragement to help more than 4,000 property owners clean up and start over. The bishop has also been a driving force in our Youth Crime Prevention Task Force. “I will miss him, and Pittsburgh will miss him. However, we are very proud of his accomplishments.”

— Dan Onorato, chief executive, Allegheny County

“Your strength and devotion have been witnessed by many in the southwest region and you succeeded in cultivating fellowship, respect, unity and peace among your parishes. As bishop of Pittsburgh, you have been honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the American Red Cross and B’nai Zion, as well as receiving the prestigious Elizabeth Ann Seton award from the National Catholic Educational Association for your outstanding work as an educator.

“As governor and on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, I congratulate you on your new position as archbishop of Washington, D.C. You have been a gift and an inspiration in the lives of countless citizens, and I know that you will continue to care for the changing needs of our citizens with understanding and wisdom for many more years to come. I wish you abundant success as you continue in God’s service.”

— Gov. Edward Rendell

Bishop Wuerl had the ability to lift the whole community spiritually and bring everybody together. His goal was to help us all be better people. His leadership and the positive impact he had during his tenure in Pittsburgh were truly special.

— Dan Rooney, chairman, Pittsburgh Steelers

“I have known Bishop 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.”

— Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia

“As a Roman Catholic and personal friend of Bishop Wuerl, I am so pleased that he has been named the archbishop for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. I truly admire Bishop Wuerl and the tremendous work he has done as bishop in our hometown of Pittsburgh. This is a wonderful occasion both for the Archdiocese of Washington and for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Although we will surely miss having Bishop Wuerl in the city of Pittsburgh, we were very blessed to have him with us for nearly 18 years. It is duly time for him to get this promotion and perhaps one day don the red hat that he so richly deserves.”

— U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum

“We of the Byzantine Catholic Church of Pittsburgh sincerely congratulate Bishop Wuerl on this honor and appointment.

“Although he will be missed for his energetic and fruitful leadership, we know that he will bring to the faithful in Washington all of his energy and dedication for the increase of the kingdom of God. We will always remember his friendship and the kindnesses he has shown to us and to our church.

“Our prayers and good wishes go with him with confidence, knowing that his ministry as archbishop will continue to bring great blessings to all whom he shepherds as archbishop of Washington. May God grant Archbishop-designate Donald health, happiness and many blessed years.”

— Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Schott, Byzantine Archeparchy of Pittsburgh

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