Pope Names Bridgeport Bishop William Lori New Archbishop of Baltimore

Pope Benedict XVI today named Bishop William E. Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport, 62, as the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore.  He will succeed Edwin Cardinal O’Brien, who served as Baltimore’s archbishop from October 2007 to August 2011.  Cardinal O’Brien has served as Apostolic Administrator of the nation’s oldest Archdiocese since his appointment August 29 as Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

Cardinal O’Brien will remain as apostolic administrator until Archbishop-designate Lori’s installation on May 16, 2012. Archbishop-designate Lori issued the following statement following his appointment by the Holy Father: "The very thought of serving and leading the Nation's Premier See fills me with joy and also with profound gratitude, first and foremost to the Lord who shepherds His people in love. I am grateful to our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI who has entrusted to me the stewardship of this great and historic Archdiocese and to Cardinal O'Brien, Cardinal Keeler, and their predecessors stretching back to Archbishop John Carroll.  In particular, I wish to thank Cardinal O'Brien together with Bishop Madden and Bishop Rozanski and many others for their gracious welcome, wise counsel, and assistance. In the coming days and in the years ahead I look forward to working with the priests of the Archdiocese, visiting our parishes, schools, and charities, and working closely with the laity, religious, and deacons - indeed all whose witness to Christ and whose spirit of loving service enable this historic Archdiocese to proclaim the Gospel afresh in our times and bring its truths and values into the public square. Let me add that I look forward to working with ecumenical, interfaith, and civic leaders in the years ahead. May the Holy Spirit inspire, unify, and strengthen us all as we move ahead with a strong and active faith."     

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, the 62-year-old Archbishop-designate received his Master’s Degree from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1977 by William Cardinal Baum.  His first assignment was as Associate Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Landover.  Thereafter, he served as secretary to James Cardinal Hickey, Chancellor, Moderator of the Curia and Vicar General.  He was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II in 1995, serving as Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Washington until 2001, when he was appointed spiritual leader of approximately 400,000 Catholics worshiping in 87 parishes in Fairfield County, Connecticut.  

During his episcopacy in Bridgeport, Archbishop-designate Lori launched several initiatives in support of Catholic education, vocations, Catholic Charities, and evangelization.  In 2004, Archbishop-designate Lori announced a major restructuring of the Diocese of Bridgeport’s 37 Catholic schools, which educate more than 11,000 children.  Changes in governance, funding and curriculum have led to a resurgence in the diocesan school system, most notably in nearly a third of their schools receiving the U.S. Department of Education’s Blue Ribbon designation, a recognition that diocesan student scores rank in the top 10 percent of all schools, public or private, across the nation.  He also oversaw the formation of the Cathedral Education Cluster, a partnership of six inner city schools aimed at ensuring continued access to Catholic education for families in Bridgeport’s poorest neighborhoods. Archbishop-designate Lori’s apostolic ministry in Bridgeport has been marked by particular emphasis on vocations, seeing 35 priests ordained and having 39 seminarians presently in formation.  Further, eight orders of women religious and a new religious institute were all welcomed into the Diocese of Bridgeport during Archbishop-designate Lori’s tenure. 

Cardinal O’Brien said of Archbishop-designate Lori’s appointment, “I have known Bishop Lori for many years and have been impressed by his deep love of the Church and her people, and by his extraordinary work both as Bishop of Bridgeport and as a valued leader on behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This Archdiocese has been blessed with many outstanding leaders through the years and our Holy Father has continued this tradition with the naming of Bishop Lori as the 16th Archbishop of the Premier See.  He assumes the helm of this Archdiocese with the support of many dedicated clergy, religious and lay faithful, as well as the prayers and encouragement of me, his predecessor.  I look forward to watching as his God-given talents and gentle nature bear much fruit for the glory of God and the benefit of His people in this holy Church of Baltimore.”

Founded in 1789, the Archdiocese of Baltimore is the oldest Catholic diocese in the United States.  It is home to 504,000 Catholics who worship in over 150 parishes located in Baltimore City and the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard and Washington.  Each year, the 70 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese educate over 28,000 students.  The largest private provider of human services in the State of Maryland, Catholic Charities’ programs annually serve over 160,000 individuals.