21 December 2009

Overview: Province of Washington (DC) and the American Virgin Islands

This province is composed of just two jurisdictions. The metropolitan is the Archdiocese of Washington (DC) and the one suffragan is the Diocese of Saint Thomas, American Virgin Islands.

Archbishop Donald William Wuerl (69) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Washington. His predecessor, Theodore Edgar Cardinal McCarrick, turns 80 in July. If the consistory to create cardinals next year is held after that date, then Archbishop Wuerl will very likely be on the list. However, if it is held before then, it is much less likely.

The archdiocese has three active auxiliary bishop: Bishop Francisco González Valer, S.F. (70); Bishop Martin David Holley, who turns 55 on New Year's Eve; and Bishop Barry Christopher Knestout (47).

The Diocese of Saint Thomas is led by Bishop Herbert Armstrong Bevard (63).

Except for the possibility of adding a red hat, there is not likely to be any changes in the hierarchy of this province in the coming year. Bishop Holley is approaching an age and length of service where he may be considered for other posts.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"Bishop Holley is approaching an age and length of service where he may be considered for other posts."

And since he was originally a priest of the Pensacola-Tallahassee Diocese, which is now sede vacante, I wouldn't bet against him getting the nod here (prior to the PT post, Bishop Ricard was a Washington aux).