Washington D.C. Gets New Cardinal, New Seminary: Archbishop Wuerl Among 24 Designated as Cardinals by Pope Benedict

'I am humbled by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI's trust in me as shepherd of this flock and pledge to him my renewed fidelity, affection and loyalty'

'This truly is an honor for the Archdiocese of Washington, the Church in the nation's capital, and for all of the clergy, religious and parishioners of this local Church who every day live out their faith in commitment and deep love for Christ. I am humbled by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI's trust in me as shepherd of this flock and pledge to him my renewed fidelity, affection and loyalty'. Archbishop and Cardinal designate Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C.

P>VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - In a much anticipated announcement from Rome this morning, 24 names were chosen by Pope Benedict XVI to be elevated to the status of Cardinal in a consistory to be held within a month in Rome. Among them, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington. The title of Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church is not a rank of Holy Orders. Rather, it is conferred on men, normally Bishops, who are especially chosen to form a "college". These men make themselves available to the Pope for counsel and assistance if he requests. They are also assembled, if necessary, and given the right to elect his successor in the event of a Papal conclave.

Along with Cardinal designate Wuerl the following current members of the Roman Curia were named: Angelo Amato (Saints), Fortunato Baldelli (Apostolic Penitentiary), Raymond Leo Burke (Signatura), Velasio de Paolis (Economic Affairs), Francesco Monterisi (Archpriest of Saint Paul), Kurt Koch (Christian Unity), Gianfranco Ravasi (Culture), Paolo Sardi, Robert Sarah (Cor Unum), Mauro Piacenza (Clergy).

Next, currently serving residential Archbishops: Antonios Naguib, Alexandria (Egypt); Paolo Romeo, Palermo (Italy); Reinhrad Marx, Munich and Freising (Germany); Kazimierz Nycz, Warsaw (Poland); Donald William Wuerl, Washington (USA); Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Kinshasa (Congo): Medardo Joseph Mazombwe, Lusaka (Zambia); Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patanbendige Don, Colombo (Sri Lanka); Raul Eduardo Vela Chiriboga, Quito (Ecuador); Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Aparecida (Brazil).

Finally, four men were chosen who exceed the age of 80 and will thus be unable to vote in any future Papal conclave. Their choice reflects the esteem given to them for their service and the value attributed to their counsel. They are Elio Sgreccia (Italy), José Manuel Estepa Llaurens (Spain), Walter Brandmuller (Germany), Domenico Bartolucci (Italy - pictured above with the Holy Father).

The Honor given to Archbishop Wuerl has been the source of speculation, but brought great joy to the faithful of the Nation's Capitol City and surrounding region. Archbishop Wuerl will preside at Mass this morning at the beautiful St. Matthews Cathedral and speak to the Press afterwards. When the announcement was received early this morning, the Cardinal Designate released the following statement:

"This truly is an honor for the Archdiocese of Washington, the Church in the nation's capital, and for all of the clergy, religious and parishioners of this local Church who every day live out their faith in commitment and deep love for Christ. I am humbled by our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI's trust in me as shepherd of this flock and pledge to him my renewed fidelity, affection and loyalty."

This honor comes on the heels of another significant announcement issued by the Archdiocese of Washington yesterday, a new seminary in Washington D.C. to prepare future priests to serve the Church in the Nation's Capitol. The official Press Release follows:

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New Seminary for DC: Archdiocese of Washington to Open New Seminary

Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl announced today that the Archdiocese of Washington will open a new seminary in August 2011 for men preparing to become priests. The seminary, for men in college and pre-theology studies, will be located near The Catholic University of America at 145 Taylor Street, NE, Washington, DC.

"At a time when the teachings of the Catholic faith seem counter-cultural, we are seeing an increased interest in the priesthood, particularly among younger men who want to be a part of a new evangelization in society. Until now, most of our new seminarians, especially those in college, have had to leave the area for their studies. Now, the men will begin their formation here and be an integral part of the local Catholic community from the beginning," said Archbishop Wuerl.

Sixty-seven men are studying for the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Washington, including 29 in college and pre-theology studies. In the 2001-02 academic year, 11 of 44 seminarians were in college or pre-theology programs.

Monsignor Robert Panke, archdiocesan director of priest vocations and formation for the archdiocese and president of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors, is overseeing the development of the new seminary. He calls it "a real boost" to vocations efforts and notes that the archdiocese has accepted 9 to 15 men into formation annually in recent years. He attributes the numbers to efforts to encourage young men in high school and college to consider the priesthood.

Initially, the seminary will have space for 30 men who will attend The Catholic University of America while receiving their priestly formation at the seminary. Before ordination, they will complete an additional four years of theology studies at seminaries such as Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, MD; Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy; and Theological College in Washington, DC.

Beginning stages in the renovation of the building are already underway and the work is being paid for by private donations. Constructed originally as a residence for a men's religious order, the building currently houses archdiocesan offices and space for a few members of a religious community.

This will be the second seminary operated by the Archdiocese of Washington. The first, Archdiocesan Seminary Redemptoris Mater in Hyattsville, MD, opened in 2001 to prepare men from around the world to be archdiocesan missionary priests. Once ordained, they serve in the Archdiocese of Washington and missions worldwide.

Last year, 1,443 men were in college seminaries in the United States, and 3,483 in pre-theology or theology, according to Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. After three decades of decline, seminary enrollment in the United States has stabilized over the past 15 years.

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