Archbishop’s Birthday

Archbishop Kurtz has a birthday coming up in August, and this year it’s an important occasion for us all. On the 18th, he will turn 75, and for a bishop that is the day he submits a letter of resignation to the pope. Which means that sometime in the coming year a new archbishop will be named for Louisville. Archbishop told us at the priests’ assembly that he’s already submitted the letter, as well as spoken with Pope Francis, Cardinal Ouellet, the head of the Vatican congregation for bishops, and the pope’s nuncio to the US giving his input on who might be a good fit. He said that everything is in place so his successor could be named on the 18th, but that’s not likely because it’s a Wednesday. Appointments of bishops are usually announced on Tuesdays.

So some Tuesday in the relatively near future at noon Rome time an announcement will appear at the Vatican’s website that the pope has accepted Archbishop Kurtz’ resignation and appointed Bishop X as the new archbishop. There will be a press conference called that morning at the Pastoral Center here where the new archbishop, who has secretly come to Louisville, will be introduced. And you’ll see it in the news. Because Louisville is an archdiocese, the person named will almost surely already be a bishop in another city, unlike Covington, whose new bishop is a priest from Illinois.

So lets all pray for Archbishop Kurtz as he approaches a well-deserved retirement, and for whomever is preparing to be our new shepherd.