Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl
Archbishop of Washington
Washington, DC
Sponsor: Rep. Hon. Tim Murphy, (R-PA)
Date of Prayer: 09/20/2006
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Mr. MURPHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank our guest chaplain today, the Archbishop Donald Wuerl , for leading us in prayer.
He attended Saint Mary of the Mount parish and school, and then studied at the Athenaeum of Ohio in Cincinnati, was ordained to the priesthood in 1966. He received graduate degrees from the Catholic University of America, the Gregorian University in Rome, and his doctoral in theology from Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1974.
He began his career as an assistant pastor at Saint Rosalia parish in Pittsburgh. There he became a secretary to Pittsburgh Bishop John Wright. From 1981 to 1985, he served as rector for Saint Paul's Seminary in Pittsburgh, and in 1988 Bishop Wuerl was installed as the 11th Bishop of Pittsburgh, where for 18 years he led 800,000 Roman Catholics in 214 parishes throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.
We also knew him in Pittsburgh for his weekly television program, ‘‘The Teaching of Christ,'' which is now widely distributed through the Christian Associates cable channel, and throughout its national syndication. As a writer, his best–selling catechism of the same name is now in its 30th year of publication and has been translated into more than 10 languages and used throughout the world.
We are very grateful for Archbishop Wuerl's presence here. We are sorry to have him gone from Pittsburgh, but we know he will do a great job now in the diocese of Washington, DC.
(Ms. NORTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I take considerable pleasure in welcoming Archbishop Donald Wuerl to Washington and to the archdiocese of Washington. Although born in Pittsburgh, where he last served, Archbishop Wuerl is very familiar with Washington where he studied at our own Catholic University of America. The archbishop follows Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, whose humble priestly ways and message of inclusiveness made him beloved by people of all religions and backgrounds here.
Archbishop Wuerl will minister both to official Washington and to average parishioners in the District and Maryland. The archbishop's work in Pittsburgh, however, foreshadows a leader who is first and foremost a pastor. We warmly welcome Archbishop Donald Wuerl .
(Mr. MURPHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank our guest chaplain today, the Archbishop Donald Wuerl , for leading us in prayer.
He attended Saint Mary of the Mount parish and school, and then studied at the Athenaeum of Ohio in Cincinnati, was ordained to the priesthood in 1966. He received graduate degrees from the Catholic University of America, the Gregorian University in Rome, and his doctoral in theology from Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome in 1974.
He began his career as an assistant pastor at Saint Rosalia parish in Pittsburgh. There he became a secretary to Pittsburgh Bishop John Wright. From 1981 to 1985, he served as rector for Saint Paul's Seminary in Pittsburgh, and in 1988 Bishop Wuerl was installed as the 11th Bishop of Pittsburgh, where for 18 years he led 800,000 Roman Catholics in 214 parishes throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.
We also knew him in Pittsburgh for his weekly television program, ‘‘The Teaching of Christ,'' which is now widely distributed through the Christian Associates cable channel, and throughout its national syndication. As a writer, his best–selling catechism of the same name is now in its 30th year of publication and has been translated into more than 10 languages and used throughout the world.
We are very grateful for Archbishop Wuerl's presence here. We are sorry to have him gone from Pittsburgh, but we know he will do a great job now in the diocese of Washington, DC.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Good and gracious God, the all powerful font of life and goodness, wisdom and holiness, You call us to make our way through this life with you and challenge us to walk arm in arm with each other.
As we confront the human condition, you bless us with our intellect and free will to establish institutions to guide our human affairs and confirm the possibility of freedom, personal development and prosperity in the context of a common good and justice for all.
We ask you to bless and strengthen all who strive to improve the human condition and foster a caring respect for each person and who fashion the laws that enable a good and just society.
In your loving goodness, bless the members of this assembly, the House of Representatives of the United States, so that in all their deliberations and discussions, they will always be inspired by the vision of your loving kindness and saving grace.
As work is conducted here today, may it bear rich fruit that continues to nurture all of the citizens of this nation and our dreams for a better world.
All of this we ask in your Most Holy Name.
Amen.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory