A Look Ahead – 2009 in the USA Hierarchy

As another year wraps up, its time to once again look ahead at what changes in the Catholic Hierarchy of the USA might be anticipated for the upcoming year.

First, there are the Cardinals. Cardinal Maida (Archbishop of Detroit) turns 79 in March. It seems very likely that his retirement and the naming of a replacement will occur this year. In April, Cardinal Egan (Archbishop of New York) turns 77. His retirement and the naming of his replacement might also occur this year, or perhaps next. One other deserves a mention, Cardinal Stafford. Although he is not an ordinary, he is from the US (Baltimore) and also turns 77 in the coming year. He is also likely to retire as Major Penitentiary in the next year or two.

There are 9 other ordinaries already over 75 (marked with an * below) and another 8 that reach that age in the coming year. First, the archbishops:

• Eusebius Joseph Beltran: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  
• Alexander Joseph Brunett: Seattle, Washington
  
• Elden Francis Curtiss*: Omaha, Nebraska
  
• Alfred Clifton Hughes*: New Orleans, Louisiana
  
• Daniel Edward Pilarczyk: Cincinnati, Ohio
  (Coadjutor: Dennis Marion Schnurr)
  

Next, the bishops:

• Edmond Carmody: Corpus Christi, Texas
  
• Patrick Ronald Cooney: Gaylord, Michigan
  
• Edward Peter Cullen*: Allentown, Pennsylvania
  
• John Michael D'Arcy*: Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana
  
• Bernard Joseph Harrington*: Winona, Minnesota
  (Coadjutor: John Michael Quinn)
  
• William Leo Higi*: Lafayette in Indiana
  
• John Jeremiah McRaith: Owensboro, Kentucky
  
• James Michael Moynihan*: Syracuse, New York
  
• James Albert Murray*: Kalamazoo, Michigan
  
• Raymundo Joseph Peña: Brownsville, Texas
  
• William Stephen Skylstad: Spokane, Washington
  
• Arthur Nicholas Tafoya*: Pueblo, Colorado
  

In addtion, there are 8 diocese that are already vacant, namely:

• Biloxi, Mississippi
  
• Charleston, South Carolina
  
• Cheyenne, Wyoming
  
• Duluth, Minnesota
  
• Gallup, New Mexico
  
• Juneau, Alaska
  
• Knoxville, Tennessee
  
• Saint Louis, Missouri (archdiocese)
  

Over the coming weeks, I hope to again do an overview of each province of the USA. You may also find the two web pages below useful (both are frequently updated): Active Bishops Near Age Limit (USA) and Currently Vacant Dioceses (USA).

The Next Consistory to Create Cardinals (II)

Just over a year ago, I wrote a post on this topic, and my opinion is not substantially different today.

Today there are 116 Cardinal Electors and a total of 191 Cardinals overall. Assuming no one dies, 4 cardinal elector slots will open up over the next year. But that still leaves only 8 elector slots open at the end of 2009. If Pope Benedict XVI creates new cardinals in the coming year, he will almost certainly go past the 120 limit on cardinal electors.

In 2010, however, the situation changes – with 11 additional slots opening up. That would be a grand total of 19 open slots by the end of 2010.

In the end, my prediction remains the same: the next consistory to create cardinals will be held in 2010 after the end of March with mid-summer or fall being the most likely.

Vacancy: Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina

Within the inner circle of the Pope (the College of Cardinals) is another much smaller circle: the Cardinal-Bishops. This group of 6 includes the Dean and Vice-Dean (sometimes called Sub-Dean) of the College of Cardinals.¹

These 6 are often quite well known and today is no exception. The current Cardinal-Bishops are: Cardinals Sodano, Etchegaray, Re, Arinze, and Bertone.

Cardinal Bertone was elevated in May taking the place left open by the death of Cardinal López Trujillo.

Pope Benedict XVI has only named one other Cardinal-Bishop and that was to replace himself as Cardinal-Bishop of Velletri-Segni after his election to the papacy. Cardinal Arinze was his selection. ²

Which leaves the curious case of the Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina. In the two previous vacancies, the replacement was named within a month. But Cardinal Gantin (the last holder of this office) died more than 6 months ago.

There are, however, signs that it may soon be filled. Yesterday among the people who had audiences with the Pope two names stood out. First, Bishop Domenico Sigalini who is the Bishop of Palestrina. He is the ordinary of the diocese which goes with the vacant Cardinal-Bishop title.

The other name that I noticed was Agostino Cardinal Vallini, Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome. I do not mean to suggest that I have any inside information - I do not. But Cardinal Vallini, imo, would be an interesting choice for the vacancy.

In any event, because of the length of the vacancy and the audience with Bishop Sigalini, I suspect that the next fortnight will see this title filled.

-----
1. I should note that technically Patriarchs that are Cardinals automatically have the rank of Cardinal-Bishop as well, but they rarely have the influence of the suburbican 6.
2. Again I should note that Cardinal Delly was named a Cardinal in the consistory of 2007 and became a Cardinal-Bishop by virtue of his being the Patriarch of Babylon (Chaldean).

Not a single person will vote for Obama or McCain this week

Think I'm kidding?

No.

I'm totally serious.

You will no doubt hear various folks in the news media talk for hours about voting in the next few days. You might even go somewhere and put your finger on a screen or mark a piece of paper with one of their names on it. But rest assured, you have will not have voted for either of them.

If you vote this week, you will really be casting a vote for a slate of delegates to the Electoral College. Only those delegates will actually cast votes for Obama or McCain - and not until next month. (Ok, there is a slim chance others might be able to vote, but only if the electoral college vote is tied and it goes to congress ... but lets not go there ;-)

No American under the age of 50...

...has ever voted in a presidential election without a Bush or Clinton on the ticket

1980 Bush for VP
1984 Bush for VP
1988 Bush for Pres
1992 Bush & Clinton for Pres
1996 Clinton for Pres
2000 Bush for Pres
2004 Bush for Pres

So the last election without a Bush or Clinton was 1976 (Ford/Dole vs Carter/Mondale) - and one had to be 18 to vote. Thus anyone born after 2 Nov 1958 has never voted in a US Presidential election without a Bush or Clinton on the ticket.

30 seconds can be a lifetime

How many TV commercials have you seen today?

How about in the last week?

Over the last year?

Over the last 35 years?

The average TV commercial in the United States is still 30 seconds long. Not much at all. Sometimes we barely even notice as they go by.

Now consider this ...

every 23 seconds ...

of every hour ...

of every day ...

of every year ...

for the last 35 years ...

a child has been slaughtered in the United States of America.

And what have I done?

Every half hour sit-com is the equivalent of two high school classrooms empty forever.

And what have I done?

During that hour of American Idle or Survivor or whatever

... the equivalent of every player of every team in the Sweet 16 is lost.

And what have I done?

We rightly mourn the loss of 3,000 souls on 9/11.

And yet more children die every single day
by the will of their very own mothers in their own womb.

And we do nothing.

117,000 Americans died during the Great War (World War I).

About the same number of kids die each and every month.

And yet no parades to honor the dead.

418,000 Americans gave their lives during World War II.

Three times more children die every year.

And we continue to sit and watch TV...

That is nearly 50 million children murdered in one otherwise great country.

God Bless America!

... and please forgive us.

For we know ... and yet do nothing.

So the next time you watch a TV commercial, pray for the poor soul that will never have a chance to watch TV ... or anything else.

Hexena - The Upside-Down Novena

I dislike the idea of moving "Holy Days of Obligation" (what a horrid term, but that's another topic) to the following Sunday for many reasons. But this week is perhaps the best argument against the practice.

When the Ascension of Our Lord is celebrated on Thursday, the origin of the Novena shines through. It is the 9 days the Apostles gathered in prayer after Our Lord ascended, culminating in the glorious Pentecost.

But now, in many dioceses, the 9 days of prayer have been turned upside down so that only 6 remain. And so we have the "modern" novena (perhaps "lazy novena" is a better term). I suppose "hexena" is an even better term.

Anyway, its just one more example of how seemingly minor liturgical fluidity is subtly obliterating our great Catholic heritage.

The truly sad part is that most don't even realize the treasures we are abandoning.

Three years ago ... right about now

Three years ago (Tuesday 19 April 2005), at about 5.50pm (Rome time; 10.50am US Central time), Catholics in Rome and around the world were surprized to see white smoke appearing from the chimney from the Sistine Chapel.

Just under an hour later, Pope Benedict XVI was introduced to the world.

Ad Multos Annos!

96 Years Ago ... Just About Now

The great and grand ocean liner called the Titanic, on her maiden voyage, struck an iceberg. A few hours she was gone ... taking with her more than 1,500 lives.

USA Anniversaries - April 2008

If folks are interested, I'll try to post these each month. All the birthdays are listed, but only "major" anniversaries (i.e., ends in 0 or 5) are included.
Birthdays:

• 92/5th - Bishop Albert Henry Ottenweller; Emeritus of Steubenville, OH
  
• 84/5th - Bishop Thaddeus Joseph Jakubowski; Auxiliary Emeritus of Chicago, IL
  
• 83/16th - Bishop Anthony Edward Pevec; Auxiliary Emeritus of Cleveland, OH
  
• 81/2nd - Archbishop Rembert George Weakland O.S.B.; Emeritus of Milwaukee, WI
  
• 81/13th - Bishop William Henry Bullock; Emeritus of Madison, WI
  
• 79/14th - Bishop Jude Speyrer; Emeritus of Lake Charles, LA
  
• 78/1st - Bishop Francis Joseph Gossman; Emeritus of Raleigh, NC
  
• 77/30th - Bishop Eugene John Gerber; Emeritus of Wichita, KS
  
• 76/2nd - Edward Michael Cardinal Egan; Archbishop of New York, NY
  
• 76/8th - Bishop Alexander James Quinn; Auxiliary of Cleveland, OH
  
• 76/29th - Bishop John Martin Dougherty; Auxiliary of Scranton, PA
  
• 75/25th - Bishop Philip Francis Straling; Emeritus of Reno, NV
  
• 73/19th - Justin Francis Cardinal Rigali; Archbishop of Philadelphia, PA
  
• 73/25th - Bishop John Kevin Boland; Savannah, GA
  
• 70/20th - Archbishop Daniel Mark Buechlein O.S.B.; Indianapolis, IN
  
• 69/8th - Archbishop Edwin Frederick O'Brien; Baltimore, MD
  
• 66/10th - Bishop John Stephen Knight; Auxiliary Emeritus of Toronto, ON
  
• 66/15th - Bishop Francis Xavier DiLorenzo; Richmond, VA
  
• 66/22nd - Bishop Ronald Paul Herzog; Alexandria, LA
  
• 66/23rd - Bishop Ronald Michael Gilmore; Dodge City, KS
  
• 66/25th - Bishop Gerald Thomas Walsh; Auxiliary of New York, NY
  
• 65/3rd - Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa; El Paso, TX
  
• 64/18th - Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli; Paterson, NJ
  
• 63/13th - Bishop Donald Edmond Pelotte S.S.S.; Gallup, NM
  
• 61/24th - Bishop Richard John Garcia; Monterey in California, CA
  
• 60/1st - Bishop Thomas Joseph Tobin; Providence, RI
  
• 60/18th - Bishop Joseph Nathaniel Perry; Auxiliary of Chicago, IL
  
• 57/10th - Bishop Earl Alfred Boyea, Jr.; Lansing, MI
  
• 56/20th - Bishop Robert Francis Hennessey; Auxiliary of Boston, MA
  
• 55/2nd - Bishop Robert William Finn; Kansas City-Saint Joseph, MO
  
• 54/13th - Bishop Michael Owen Jackels; Wichita, KS
  
• 44/27th - Bishop Daniel Fernandez Torres; Auxiliary of San Juan de Puerto Rico
  

Ordination to the Priesthood:

• 50 yrs/12th - Archbishop James Patrick Keleher; Emeritus of Kansas City in Kansas, KS
  
• 30 yrs/1st - Bishop Peter Anthony Libasci; Auxiliary of Rockville Centre, NY
  
• 30 yrs/29th - Bishop-elect Michael Gerard Duca; Bishop-elect of Shreveport, LA

Consecration as a Bishop:

• 35 yrs/3rd - Bishop Joseph Leopold Imesch; Emeritus of Joliet in Illinois, IL
  
• 35 yrs/27th - Bishop Raymond William Lessard; Emeritus of Savannah, GA
  
• 35 yrs/27th - Bishop Anthony Francis Mestice; Auxiliary Emeritus of New York, NY
  
• 30 yrs/20th - Archbishop Eusebius Joseph Beltran; Oklahoma City, OK
  
• 25 yrs/7th - Bishop David Arias P‚rez O.A.R.; Auxiliary Emeritus of Newark, NJ
  
• 20 yrs/11th - Bishop John Robert Gorman; Auxiliary Emeritus of Chicago, IL
  
• 20 yrs/11th - Bishop Thaddeus Joseph Jakubowski; Auxiliary Emeritus of Chicago, IL
  
• 20 yrs/12th - Bishop Paul Stephen Loverde; Arlington, VA
  
• 5 yrs/22th - Bishop Roger Paul Morin; Auxiliary of New Orleans, LA

Ad Multos Annos!

Fr. Michael J. McGivney, founder of Knights of Columbus

Today the Holy Father promulgated a decree of Heroic Virtue for Fr. Michael J. McGivney. Among other things he was the founder of the Knights of Columbus fraternal order.

This is one of the early steps in the process which might lead to a formal Beatification or Canonization.

USA Anniversaries - March 2008

If folks are interested, I'll try to post these each month. All the birthdays are listed, but only "major" anniversaries (i.e., ends in 0 or 5) are included.
(number of years/day in March 2008)
Birthdays:

• 89/8th - Bishop Patrick Vincent Ahern; Auxiliary Emeritus of New York
  
• 89/21st - Bishop Timothy Joseph Lyne; Auxiliary Emeritus of Chicago, IL
  
• 86/10th - Bishop Patrick Joseph Thomas Sheridan; Auxiliary Emeritus of New York
  
• 81/13th - Bishop Dominic Anthony Marconi; Auxiliary Emeritus of Newark, NJ
  
• 80/3rd - Bishop John Stephen Cummins; Emeritus of Oakland, CA
  
• 79/28th - Archbishop John Raphael Quinn; Emeritus of San Francisco, CA
  
• 78/18th - Adam Joseph Cardinal Maida; Detroit, MI
  
• 78/23rd - Bishop Joseph Michael Sullivan; Auxiliary Emeritus of Brooklyn, NY
  
• 77/4th - William Henry Cardinal Keeler; Emeritus of Baltimore, MD
  
• 77/22nd - Bishop Robert William Donnelly; Auxiliary Emeritus of Toledo, OH
  
• 75/2nd - Bishop Arthur Nicholas Tafoya; Pueblo, CO
  
• 75/15th - Bishop Edward Peter Cullen; Allentown, PA
  
• 74/2nd - Bishop William Stephen Skylstad; Spokane, WA
  
• 74/10th - Bishop Patrick Ronald Cooney; Gaylord, MI
  
• 74/20th - Archbishop Robert Fortune Sanchez; Emeritus of Santa Fe, NM
  
• 71/26th - Bishop Roger William Gries, O.S.B.; Auxiliary of Cleveland, OH
  
• 70/4th - Bishop Sam Gallip Jacobs; Houma-Thibodaux, LA
  
• 69/27th - Bishop Lawrence Eugene Brandt; Greensburg, PA
  
• 68/8th - Bishop Denis James Madden; Auxiliary of Baltimore, MD
  
• 67/7th - Bishop Roger Paul Morin; Auxiliary of New Orleans, LA
  
• 67/14th - Bishop Sarhad Yawsip Hermiz Jammo; Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego (Chaldean)
  
• 66/3rd - Bishop Richard Stephen Seminack; Saint Nicolas of Chicago (Ukrainian)
  
• 65/6th - Bishop Dominick John Lagonegro; Auxiliary of New York
  
• 63/4th - Bishop Michael John Sheridan; Colorado Springs
  
• 63/17th - Bishop Dennis Joseph Sullivan; Auxiliary of New York
  
• 62/19th - Bishop Richard Joseph Malone; Portland, ME
  
• 61/3rd - Bishop Daniel Robert Jenky, C.S.C.; Peoria, IL
  
• 61/18th - Archbishop John Clayton Nienstedt; Coadjutor of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN
  
• 61/26th - Bishop Richard Gerard Lennon; Cleveland, OH
  
• 59/12th - Bishop Jerome Edward Listecki; La Crosse, WI
  
• 59/19th - Bishop Blase Joseph Cupich; Rapid City, SD
  
• 59/27th - Bishop Thomas John Rodi; Biloxi, MS
  
• 58/9th - Bishop Frank Joseph Dewane; Venice, FL
  
• 51/3rd - Bishop Peter Joseph Jugis; Charlotte, NC
  
• 49/29th - Bishop Frank Joseph Caggiano; Auxiliary of Brooklyn, NY

Ordination to the Priesthood:

• 65/27th - Bishop Arthur Joseph O'Neill; Emeritus of Rockford, IL
  
• 45/25th - Bishop Robert Mikhail Moskal; Saint Josaphat in Parma (Ukrainian)
  
• 45/30th - Bishop Anthony Joseph O’Connell; Emeritus of Palm Beach, FL
  
• 45/30th - Bishop Daniel Francis Walsh; Santa Rosa in CA
  
• 45/30th - Bishop Robert Joseph Hermann; Auxiliary of Saint Louis, MO
  
• 40/9th - Bishop Richard Brendan Higgins; Auxiliary of USA Military

Consecration as a Bishop:

• 30/2nd - Bishop Kenneth Donald Steiner; Auxiliary of Portland in OR
  
• 30/9th - Bishop George Otto Wirz; Auxiliary Emeritus of Madison, WI
  
• 30/13th - Bishop Thomas Joseph Costello; Auxiliary Emeritus of Syracuse, NY
  
• 20/8th - Bishop Francis Xavier DiLorenzo; Richmond, VA
  
• 20/25th - Bishop Raymond James Boland; Emeritus of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, MO
  
• 15/4th - Bishop Charles Michael Jarrell; Lafayette, LA
  
• 15/10th - Bishop James Anthony Tamayo; Laredo, TX
  
• 10/3rd - Bishop Gordon Dunlap Bennett, S.J.; Emeritus of Mandeville, Jamaica (born in Denver, Co)
  
• 10/19th - Archbishop James Michael Harvey; Prefect of the Prefecture of the Papal Household (born in Milwaukee, WI)
  
• 5/7th - Bishop Joseph Nunzio Latino; Jackson, MS
  
• 5/19th - Consecrated in the same ceremony:
  • Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S.; Auxiliary of Chicago, IL
    
  • Bishop Francis Joseph Kane; Auxiliary of Chicago, IL
    
  • Bishop Thomas John Joseph Paprocki; Auxiliary of Chicago, IL

The following are scheduled to be consecrated as bishops this month:

• 27th - Bishop-elect Gerald Nicholas Dino; Van Nuys (Ruthenian)
  
• 29th - Archbishop-elect Joseph Marino; Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh (born in Birmingham, AL)
  
• 31st - Bishop-elect James Vann Johnston, Jr.; Springfield-Cape Girardeau, MO

Ad Multos Annos!

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 (67) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Washington. He has been in this post for less than 2 years. He is assisted by two Auxiliary Bishops: González Valer (68) and Holley (53). The former celebrated his 6th anniversary of consecration as a bishop just over a fortnight ago.

Theodore Edgar Cardinal McCarrick is the previous ordinary of the Archdiocese. He turns 80 (and thus loses his right to vote if a conclave is required) in July 2010. If my previous speculation that the next consistory to create cardinals is held in the 2nd half of 2010, then it seems very likely that Archbishop Wuerl would receive a red hat at that time.

The Diocese of Saint Thomas has been vacant for a bit over a year now. It seems very likely to be getting a new bishop this year.

Other than a new ordinary for St. Thomas, no changes to the hierarchy seem likely in this province this year.

Overview: Province of Washington (State)

The Province of the state of Washington includes the metropolitan - the Archdiocese of Seattle - and its 2 suffragan Dioceses: Spokane and Yakima.

Archbishop Alexander Joseph Brunett (74) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Seattle. He has held this position for over 10 years. He is assisted by two Auxiliary Bishops: Elizondo Almaguer (53) and Tyson (50). Both have been in their posts for less than 3 years.

The Diocese of Spokane is led by Bishop William Stephen Skylstad who turns 74 this coming Sunday.

Bishop Carlos Arthur Sevilla, S.J. (72) is the head of the Diocese of Yakima.

This province is not likely to see any changes in its hierarchy this year. Next year, however, is a different story. Both Archbishop Brunett and Bishop Skylstad will turn 75 and may well retire and have replacements named in 2009.

Overview: Province of Arizona and New Mexico

The province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with its 4 suffragan dioceses: Gallup, Las Cruces, Phoenix, and Tucson. The first two are in New Mexico, the latter two cover the state of Arizona.

Archbishop Michael Jarboe Sheehan (68) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. He will celebrate 25 years as a bishop this summer.

The Diocese of Gallup has Bishop Donald Edmond Pelotte, S.S.S. (62) as its ordinary. Bishop Olmsted (see below) is currently serving as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. This unusual situation may suggest that a change will be coming to this diocese in the relatively near future (this year or next).

Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B. (71) is the first ordinary of the Diocese of Las Cruces. He has held this post for 25 years.

The Diocese of Phoenix is led by Bishop Thomas James Olmsted (61). He has held this post for 4 years.

Bishop Gerald Frederick Kicanas (66) is the head of the Diocese of Tucson. His 5th anniversary of succeeding to this post is less than a fortnight from now.

While there is no obvious immediate change due in the hierarchy of this province, there are several possibilities. The extremely unusual situation in the Diocese of Gallup certainly suggests that a change might be coming there. In addition, both Bishops Olmsted and Kicanas are at an age and length of service that they might be considered for other posts. Although in this case, the length of time in their current posts is on the short end of the common range.

Overview: Province of N California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah

This province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California, along with its 9 suffragan dioceses, namely: Honolulu, Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oakland; Reno, Nevada; Sacramento; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Jose; Santa Rosa; and Stockton; all in the state of California unless otherwise indicated.

Archbishop George Hugh Niederauer (71) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California. He has held this post for just over 2 years. He is assisted by one Auxiliary, Bishop Wang, who turns 74 on Wednesday.

The Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii is led by Bishop Clarence Richard Silva (58). He has been in this post for two years.

Bishop Joseph Anthony Pepe (65) is the head of the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada. He has held this post for 6 years.

The Diocese of Oakland, California is headed by Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron (59). He has been in this role for 4 years now.

Bishop Randolph Roque Calvo (57) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Reno, Nevada. His 2nd anniversary of consecration as a bishop was just over a week ago.

The Diocese of Sacramento, California is led by Bishop William Kenneth Weigand (70) with the assistance of his coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto (52). Bishop Soto will automatically succeeded upon Bishop Weigand's resignation. Typically this transition occurs 6 to 18 months from the arrival of the coadjutor. In this case, that suggests that late this year or early next year is the likely time frame.

Bishop John Charles Wester (57) is the head of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah. He has been in place for about a year.

The Diocese of San Jose in California has as its ordinary Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath (62). He has held this post for 8 years.

Bishop Daniel Francis Walsh (70) is the leader of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California. He will celebrate 45 years as a priest next month. He has been in this post for almost 8 years.

The Diocese of Stockton, California is led by Bishop Stephen Edward Blaire (66). He has been in this post for about 9 years.

Overall this province is not likely to see many changes to its hierarchy this year. The transition in Sacramento is likely this year or next. Also a couple of bishops are at an age and length of experience that they might be considered for other posts, namely Bishops McGrath and Blaire.

Overview: Province of NW Texas

The province's metropolitan is the Archdiocese of San Antonio. It has 7 suffragan dioceses: Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo,
Lubbock, and San Angelo; all in the state of Texas.

Archbishop José Horacio Gómez (56) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. His 3rd anniversary of installation to this post was last week. Currently it has no active Auxiliary Bishops.

The Diocese of Amarillo will be installing its new ordinary, Bishop Patrick James Zurek (59), later this week. He had previously been an Auxiliary of San Antonio.

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell (60) is the head of the Diocese of Dallas. He has been in this post for almost a year.

The Diocese of El Paso has as its ordinary Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa (64). His 21st anniversary of consecration as a bishop is later this week.

Bishop Kevin William Vann (56) is the leader of the Diocese of Fort Worth. He has been in this post for about 2 and a half years.

The Diocese of Laredo is led by Bishop James Anthony Tamayo (58). His 15th anniversary of consecration as a bishop is in a few weeks.

Bishop Plácido Rodriguez, C.M.F. (67) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Lubbock. He celebrates 40 years as a priest in May.

The Diocese of San Angelo is headed by Bishop Michael David Pfeifer, O.M.I. (70). He has been in this post for 22 years.

Other than the upcoming installation of Bishop Zurek, this province is not likely to see any major changes to its hierarchy in the next few years. However, the Archdiocese may will get one or more auxiliary bishops. In addition, most of the ordinaries are at an age and level of experience that they might be considered for other posts.

Overview: Province of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota

The province is composed of the metropolitan, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, along with nine suffragan dioceses: Bismarck (North Dakota), Crookston, Duluth, Fargo, New Ulm, Rapid City (South Dakota), Saint Cloud, Sioux Falls (North Dakota), and Winona. All are in Minnesota except where indicated.

Archbishop Harry Joseph Flynn is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. He turns 75 (the normal retirement age) in May of this year. Archbishop John Clayton Nienstedt (60) is his Coadjutor and will automatically succeeded upon Archbishop Flynn's retirement. In addition there is an Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Pates (65).

The Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota is led by Bishop Paul Albert Zipfel (72). His eleventh anniversary of installation is in two days.

Bishop Michael Joseph Hoeppner (58) is the head of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota. He was consecrated a bishop last fall.

The Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota has Bishop Dennis Marion Schnurr (59) as its ordinary. He is approaching the age and years of experience when he may be considered for other posts.

Bishop Samuel Joseph Aquila (57) heads the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. He is also at the length of experience and age where he might well be considered for other posts. Although he would be the first ordinary from this diocese to move on.

The Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota is currently vacant. The last ordinary was then-Bishop Nienstedt who was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in April of last year.

Bishop Blase Joseph Cupich (58) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota. He is also at an age and experience that he might well be considered for other posts.

The Diocese of Saint Cloud, Minnesota is led by Bishop John Francis Kinney (70). He celebrated his 45th anniversary of priestly ordination earlier this month.

Bishop Paul Joseph Swain (64) is the head of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He will celebrate 20 years as a priest later this year.

The Diocese of Winona, Minnesota has as its ordinary Bishop Bernard Joseph Harrington who turns 75 in September of this year.

Overall this province is likely to see a good number of changes to its hierarchy both this year and in the following few years. The likely retirements of Archbishop Flynn and Bishop Harrington top the list. In addition, the Diocese of New Ulm is currently vacant. Beyond that, there are 3 bishops (Schnurr, Aquila, and Cupich) that might be considered for other posts in the next few years.

Overview: Province of Missouri

This province consists of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, along with its suffragans: Jefferson City, Kansas City-Saint Joseph, and Springfield-Cape Girardeau, all in the state of Missouri.

Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke (59) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. He has been in this post just over 4 years. He is assisted by an Auxiliary Bishop (Hermann) who is 73.

The Diocese of Jefferson City is led by Bishop John Raymond Gaydos (64). He has been in place for 10 years. If he were to be considered for another post, it would likely be in the next year or two.

Bishop Robert William Finn (54) has been the head of the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph for over 2 years.

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau received word of its new ordinary about 10 days ago. Bishop-elect James Vann Johnston, Jr. (48) will be consecrated a bishop on the last day of March.

Other than the upcoming ordination just mentioned, there is likely to be no changes in the hierarchy of this province this year.

Overview: Province of Idaho, Montana, and Oregon

This province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, along with its four suffragans: Baker (in Oregon), Boise City (in Idaho), Great Falls-Billings (Montana) and Helena (Montana).

Archbishop John George Vlazny is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. He turns 71 later this month. He is assisted by an Auxiliary Bishop (Steiner) who is a few months older.

The Diocese of Baker is led by Bishop Robert Francis Vasa (56). His 8th anniversary of consecration as a bishop was about a week ago. He is at an age and experience level that he might be considered for other posts. Curiously, his only predecessor that did that was the first, Bishop O'Reilly, who became the Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. That is also where Bishop Vasa served as a priest.

Bishop Michael Patrick Driscoll (68) is the leader of the Diocese of Boise City. He has been in this post for about 9 years.

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings just recently received its new ordinary, Bishop Michael William Warfel (59). He was installed last month after having served as Bishop of Juneau, Alaska for 11 years.

Bishop George Leo Thomas (57) is the head of the Diocese of Helena. He also celebrated his 8th anniversary as a bishop last week.

Overall, it seems likely that this province will be quite stable in terms of its hierarchy for the rest of the year. The one possible exception being Bishop Vasa as mentioned before.

USA Anniversaries - February 2008

If folks are interested, I'll try to post these each month. All the birthdays are listed, but only "major" anniversaries (i.e., ends in 0 or 5) are included.
(number of years/day in February 2008)
Birthdays:

• 86/21: Bishop Louis Anthony DeSimone; Auxiliary Emeritus of Philadelphia, PA
  
• 86/21: Bishop Norman Francis McFarland; Emeritus of Orange, CA
  
• 85/14: Bishop Mark Francis Schmitt; Emeritus of Marquette, MI
  
• 80/26: Bishop Robert Joseph Banks; Emeritus of Green Bay, WI
  
• 79/23: Bishop Thomas Joseph Costello; Auxiliary Emeritus of Syracuse, NY
  
• 78/3: Bishop David Edward Foley; Emeritus of Birmingham, AL
  
• 78/15: Bishop Robert Edward Mulvee; Emeritus of Providence, RI
  
• 78/28: Bishop Robert John Rose; Emeritus of Grand Rapids, MI
  
• 77/14: Bishop Henry Theophilus Howaniec, O.F.M.; of Santissima Trinità in Almaty, Kazakhstan (born in Chicago, IL)
  
• 76/8: Bishop Raymond James Boland; Emeritus of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, MO
  
• 74/19: Bishop Raymundo Joseph Peña; of Brownsville, TX
  
• 74/27: Bishop Ignatius Chung Wang; Auxiliary of San Francisco, CA
  
• 73/13: Bishop Gilberto Fernández; Auxiliary Emeritus of Miami, FL
  
• 73/13: Bishop Peter Anthony Rosazza; Auxiliary of Hartford, CT
  
• 73/18: Bishop Emilio Simeon Alluè, S.D.B.; Auxiliary of Boston, MA
  
• 72/20: Bishop Thomas George Doran; of Rockford, IL
  
• 72/27: Roger Michael Cardinal Mahony; of Los Angeles, CA
  
• 71/22: Archbishop John George Vlazny; of Portland, OR
  
• 69/1: Bishop George William Coleman; of Fall River, MA
  
• 68/29: Bishop John Huston Ricard, S.S.J.; of Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL
  
• 65/12: Bishop Richard Edmund Pates; Auxiliary of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN
  
• 64/22: Bishop Richard Brendan Higgins; Auxiliary of the Military Archdiocese
  
• 63/16: Bishop Edward Michael Grosz; Auxiliary of Buffalo, NY
  
• 62/5: Bishop Felipe de Jesús Estevez; Auxiliary of Miami, FL
  
• 58/6: Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan; of Milwaukee, WI
  
• 57/26: Bishop John Gerard Noonan; Auxiliary of Miami, FL
  
• 54/23: Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, M.S.U.; Auxiliary of Lviv (Ukrainian) (born in Steubenville, OH)
  

Ordination to the Priesthood:

• 65/24: Bishop Bernard Ferdinand Popp; Auxiliary Emeritus of San Antonio, TX
  
• 55/28: Bishop Gilbert Ignatius Sheldon; Emeritus of Steubenville, OH
  
• 45/2: Bishop John Francis Kinney; of Saint Cloud, MN
  

Consecration as a Bishop:

• 35/2: Bishop John Joseph Snyder; Emeritus of Saint Augustine, FL
  
• 30/28: Bishop Frank Joseph Rodimer; Emeritus of Paterson, NJ
  
• 20/19: Bishop Curtis John Guillory, S.V.D.; of Beaumont, TX
  
• 15/11: Bishop Dominic Carmon, S.V.D.; Auxiliary Emeritus of New Orleans, LA
  
• The following 2 were consecrated in the same ceremony:
  
  
  • 10/16: Bishop Thomas Joseph Flanagan; Auxiliary Emeritus of San Antonio, TX
    
  • 10/16: Bishop Patrick James Zurek; of Amarillo, TX
    
  
  
• 5/22: Bishop Ronald William Gainer; of Lexington, KY
  

Ad Multos Annos!

Overview: Province of Pennsylvania

This province is composed of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the metropolitan, and 7 suffragan Dioceses: Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton; all in the state of Pennsylvania.

Justin Francis Cardinal Rigali (72) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He is assisted by 4 active Auxiliary Bishops. One of them (Maginnis) will reach the normal retirement age late this year. The other three are fairly new (less than 4 years as Auxiliaries).

The Diocese of Allentown is led by Bishop Edward Peter Cullen who turns 75 in March. He might retire and have his replacement named this year, but with the current backlog - it might not happen until next year.

Bishop Joseph Victor Adamec (72) is the head of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. He has been serving in that role for over 20 years.

The Diocese of Erie is headed by Bishop Donald Walter Trautman (71). He has been serving as a bishop for 22 years, the last 17 in this office.

Bishop Lawrence Eugene Brandt (68) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Greensburg. He celebrated 38 years as a priest last month.

The Diocese of Harrisburg is led by Bishop Kevin Carl Rhoades (50). He has been serving as a bishop a little over 3 years.

Bishop David Allen Zubik (58) is the head of the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He was named to that role last year. He is assisted by an Auxiliary who will celebrate his 3rd anniversary of consecration as a bishop in February.

The Diocese of Scranton is led by Bishop Joseph Francis Martino (61). He has been in that office for 4 years. He is assisted by an Auxiliary (Bishop Dougherty) who is already passed the normal retirement age of 75.

Overall the province is likely to see only one new ordinary this year. In 5 years its a different story. Several will retire and several more will be candidates for other offices.

Overview: Provine of Nebraska

This province covers the state of Nebraska and is composed of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Omaha and its suffragan Dioceses of Grand Island and Lincoln.

Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss (75) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Omaha. He will celebrate 50 years as a priest in May of this year. Since he is past the normal retirement age of 75, his retirement and the naming of a replacement are fairly likely this year.

The Diocese of Grand Island is led by Bishop William Joseph Dendinger (68). He celebrated his 3rd anniversary of consecration as a bishop last month.

Bishop Fabian Wendelin Bruskewitz (72) is the head of the Diocese of Lincoln. He has been serving in this post for 15 years.

Other than the new ordinary for Omaha, this province is likely to be stable for a few more years - when Bishop Bruskewitz reaches the normal retirement age.

Overview: Province of Oklahoma and Arkansas

This province is composed of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and its two suffragan Dioceses: Little Rock, Arkansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Archbishop Eusebius Joseph Beltran (73) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. He has been serving in this post for about 15 years.

The Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas is currently vacant. It has been without an ordinary since Bishop James Peter Sartain was named Bishop of Joliet in Illinois in May 2006.

Bishop Edward James Slattery (67) is the leader of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. His 14th anniversary of consecration as a bishop was last Sunday.

Obviously the big change anticipated in the province in the coming year is the naming of an ordinary for the Diocese of Little Rock. Currently it is the diocese in the USA that has been sitting vacant for the longest time.

Next year, or perhaps the year after that, will likely see the retirement and replacement of the metropolitan as he reaches the normal retirement age.

Overview: Province of New York

The province has as its metropolitan the Archdiocese of New York. It also has 7 suffragan Dioceses, all in the state of New York, namely: Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre, and Syracuse.

Edward Michael Cardinal Egan (75) serves as the Archbishop of New York. Last month he celebrated 50 years as a priest. Although he has reached the normal retirement age of 75, his retirement may be delayed beyond this year (it is quite common for Cardinals to remain as ordinary for a few extra years).

The Archdiocese also has 4 active Auxiliary Bishops. Two have been in their posts for 6 years, Iriondo (69) and Lagonegro (64). The other two for 3 years, Sullivan (62) and Walsh (65). Of the group, Lagonegro seems the most likely to be considered for another post this year.

The Diocese of Albany is led by Bishop Howard James Hubbard (69). Last year he celebrated 30 years as a bishop.

Bishop Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio (63) is the head of the Diocese of Brooklyn. He has been in that post for 4 years. The Diocese also has 4 Auxiliary Bishops (Caggiano, Catanello, Cisneros, and Sansaricq). No change is likely in this diocese this year.

The Diocese of Buffalo is headed by Bishop Edward Urban Kmiec (71). He celebrated 25 years as a bishop last year. He is assisted by Auxiliary Bishop Grosz (62) who may be considered a candidate for another post this year.

Bishop Robert Joseph Cunningham (64) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Ogdensburg. He has been serving in this post for 3 years.

The Diocese of Rochester is led by Bishop Matthew Harvey Clark (70). He celebrated 45 years as a priest last month.

Bishop William Francis Murphy (67) is the head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Last month he celebrated 12 years as a bishop and 43 as a priest. He has been serving in this post for 6 years. The Diocese also has 3 active Auxiliary Bishops. Two, Dunne and Walsh are 70. The third, named just last year, is 56 (Libasci).

The Diocese of Syracuse has as its ordinary Bishop James Michael Moynihan who turned 75 last year. He celebrated 50 years as a priest last month. He is likely to retire and have a replacement named later this year.

Only two of the ordinaries in this province are currently over the normal retirement age of 75 - in both cases reaching that age last year. They may retire and receive replacements this year, but it may well be next year before that happens.

Overview: Province of Louisiana

This province is composed of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, the metropolitan, and its suffragan Dioceses of: Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma-Thibodaux, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and Shreveport; all in the state of Louisiana.

Archdiocese of New Orleans is led by Archbishop Alfred Clifton Hughes who turned 75 just over a month ago. He also celebrated 50 years as a priest last month. Having reached the normal retirement age, it seems likely that his retirement and subsequent replacement may very well happen later this year. The Archdiocese also has two active Auxilaries: Fabre (44) who has been in place less than a year and Morin (66) who has been serving for 4 years.

Bishop Ronald Paul Herzog (65) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Alexandria. His 3rd anniversary of consecration as a bishop was yesterday.

The Diocese of Baton Rouge is headed by Bishop Robert William Muench who turned 65 just over a week ago. He has been serving in this post for about 6 years. In another year or two he may become a candidate for other posts.

Bishop Sam Gallip Jacobs (69) is leader of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. He has been serving in that role for 4 years.

The Diocese of Lafayette is led by Bishop Charles Michael Jarrell (67). He will celebrate 15 years as a bishop in March. He has been in this post for 5 years.

Bishop Glen John Provost (58) is the head of the Diocese of Lake Charles. He has been in place less than a year.

The Diocese of Shreveport has been vacant for a bit over a year (when Bishop William Benedict Friend retired). This post is very likely to be filled this year.

This province is likely to see a new Archbishop for its metropolitan see and a new bishop for its vacant suffragan this year. Given the current backlog of USA appointments, its entirely possible that the Archdiocese will have to wait until next year for its successor.

Overview: Province of New Jersey

This province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Newark, and its suffragan Dioceses of: Camden, Metuchen, Paterson, and Trenton; all in the state of New Jersey.

Archbishop John Joseph Myers (66) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Newark. He recently celebrated 41 years as a priest. He has been serving in this post for 6 years. The Archdiocese also has 3 active Auxiliary Bishops - all 3 have been serving in their posts less than 5 years.

The Diocese of Camden is led by Bishop Joseph Anthony Galante (69). He celebrated 15 years as a bishop last month - with the last 3 being in this post.

Bishop Paul Gregory Bootkoski (67) is the head of the Diocese of Metuchen. His 6th anniversary of being named as ordinary was last Friday.

The Diocese of Paterson has as its ordinary Bishop Arthur Joseph Serratelli (63). He will celebrate 40 years as a priest toward the end of this year. He has been serving here for 3 years.

Bishop John Mortimer Fourette Smith (72) is the leader of the Diocese of Trenton. Later this month he will celebrate 20 years as a bishop. He has been in this post for the last 10 years.

This province seems likely to be quite stable for this year and perhaps for a year or two more after that. At that point, however, things change a bit. There will be one ordinary reaching the normal retirement age, and several (including the metropolitan and all 3 of his auxiliaries) that will be at an age and length of service that makes them likely to be considered for other posts.

Overview: Province of Alabama and Mississippi

This province contains the metropolitan Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama along with the suffragan Dioceses of: Biloxi, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; and Jackson, Mississippi.

The Archdiocese of Mobile, Alabama is led by Archbishop Oscar Hugh Lipscomb (76). He has served in that post for 27 years and will very likely retire and have a replacement named this year.

Bishop Thomas John Rodi (58) is the leader of the Diocese of Biloxi. He has been serving in that role for 6 years.

The Diocese of Birmingham received its new ordinary, Bishop Robert Joseph Baker (63) this past year.

Bishop Joseph Nunzio Latino (70) has been serving as the Bishop of Jackson for almost 5 years.

After the extended vacancy (over 2 years) of the Diocese of Birmingham, one would hope the wait for an new Archbishop to replace the retiring Archbishop Lipscomb won't be nearly as long. I would anticipate that change early this year.

The only other change that one might foresee is Bishop Rodi being considered for other posts.

Overview: Province of Wisconsin

The province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, along with its suffragan Dioceses: Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, and Superior; all in the state of Wisconsin.

Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan (57) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He has been serving in that role for 5 years. The Archdiocese has 2 Auxiliary Bishops, Callahan (57) and Sklba (72). The former was consecrated as a bishop last month. The latter celebrated his 28 anniversary of consecration as a bishop a few days earlier.

The Diocese of Green Bay is currently vacant. Bishop David Allen Zubik was named Bishop of Pittsburgh last summer. Hopefully by the end of this year a new ordinary will be named.

Bishop Jerome Edward Listecki (58) serves as the ordinary of the Diocese of La Crosse. He has been in that post for almost 3 years.

The Diocese of Madison is led by Bishop Robert Charles Morlino who turned 61 on New Years Eve. He has been serving in this role for 4 years.

Bishop Peter Forsyth Christensen (who turned 55 on Christmas Eve) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Superior. He was consecrated as a Bishop last September.

Overall, this province has seen quite a few adjustments to its hierarchy over the last few years - and it has one more due before too much longer - the naming of an ordinary for Green Bay. Beyond that, it is likely to be fairly stable for the next several years.

Overview: Province of Florida

This province has as its metropolitan the Archdiocese of Miami along with the suffragan Dioceses of: Orlando, Palm Beach, Pensacola-Tallahassee, Saint Augustine, Saint Petersburg, and Venice, all in the state of Florida.

The Archdiocese of Miami is led by Archbishop John Clement Favalora (72). He recently celebrated 46 years as a priest. He has served in his present post for a bit over 13 years. The Archdiocese also has 2 Auxiliary Bishops, aged 56 and 61. After a few more years, they might well be candidates for other posts.

Bishop Thomas Gerard Wenski (57) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Orlando. He has been in place a little over 3 years.

The Diocese of Palm Beach has as its ordinary Bishop Gerald Michael Barbarito who turned 58 this very day. He has been in this post for over 4 years.

Bishop John Huston Ricard, S.S.J. (67) is the head of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He has been in place for just under 11 years. He may be the first ordinary in the Diocese's history to not be appointed to another post.

The Diocese of Saint Augustine is headed by Bishop Victor Benito Galeone (72). He recently celebrated 47 years as a priest.

Bishop Robert Nugent Lynch (66) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg. His 12th anniversary of consecration as a bishop occurs later this month.

The Diocese of Venice has been led by Bishop Frank Joseph Dewane (57) for almost a year now.

Overall, the province is likely to be very stable in terms of hierarchy in the coming year or two. In about 3 years, however, there will be the metropolitan and a suffragan with ordinaries reaching the normal retirement age.

Random Movie Quotes

Rosencrantz: Did you ever think of yourself as actually dead, lying in a box with a lid on it?

Guildenstern: No.

Rosencrantz: Nor do I, really. It's silly to be depressed by it. I mean, one thinks of it like being alive in a box. One keeps forgetting to take into account the fact that one is dead, which should make all the difference, shouldn't it? I mean, you'd never *know* you were in a box, would you? It would be just like you were asleep in a box. Not that I'd like to sleep in a box, mind you. Not without any air. You'd wake up dead for a start, and then where would you be? In a box. That's the bit I don't like, frankly. That's why I don't think of it. Because you'd be helpless, wouldn't you? Stuffed in a box like that. I mean, you'd be in there forever, even taking into account the fact that you're dead. It isn't a pleasant thought. Especially if you're dead, really. Ask yourself, if I asked you straight off, "I'm going to stuff you in this box. Now, would you rather be alive or dead?" naturally, you'd prefer to be alive. Life in a box is better than no life at all, I expect. You'd have a chance, at least. You could lie there thinking, "Well, at least I'm not dead. In a minute somebody is going to bang on the lid, and tell me to come out."
[bangs on lid]

Rosencrantz: "Hey you! What's your name? Come out of there!"

Guildenstern: [long pause] I think I'm going to kill you.

(from Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead)

USA Anniversaries - January 2008

If folks are interested, I'll try to post these each month. All the birthdays are listed, but only "major" anniversaries (i.e., ends in 0 or 5) are included.

(number of years/day in January 2008)

Birthdays:

• 87/9: Archbishop George Hamilton Pearce, S. M., Emeritus of Suva, Fiji, Pacific (Oceania) (born in Brighton, MA)
  
• 85/7: Archbishop Joseph Thomas Dimino, Emeritus of the USA Military
  
• 84/24: Bishop William Jerome McCormack, Auxiliary Emeritus of New York
  
• 81/12: Archbishop Francis Thomas Hurley, Emeritus of Anchorage, AK
  
• 79/17: Bishop George Otto Wirz, Auxiliary Emeritus of Madison, WI
  
• 78/21: Bishop John Patrick Boles, Auxiliary Emeritus of Boston, MA
  
• 78/26: Bishop Thomas John Gumbleton, Auxiliary Emeritus of Detroit, MI
  
• 77/25: Archbishop Joseph Anthony Fiorenza, Emeritus of Galveston-Houston, TX
  
• 76/19: Bishop John Joseph Nevins, Emeritus of Venice, FL
  
• 75/9: Father Edmund F. McCaffrey, O.S.B., Abbot Emeritus of Belmont-Mary Help of Christians, NC
  
• 75/17: Bishop Michael Angelo Saltarelli, Wilmington, DE
  
• 74/9: Bishop Francis Xavier Irwin, Auxiliary of Boston, MA
  
• 74/12: Bishop Edmond Carmody, Corpus Christi, TX
  
• 74/17: Archbishop Alexander Joseph Brunett, Seattle, WA
  
• 71/16: Francis Eugene Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, IL
  
• 69/26: Archbishop Cyrille Salim Bustros, S.M.S.P., Bishop of Newton (Our Lady of the Annunciation in Boston) (Melkite)
  
• 68/11: Bishop Gerald Nicholas Dino, Van Nuys (Ruthenian), CA
  
• 65/17: Bishop Thomas John Curry, Auxiliary of Los Angeles, CA
  
• 65/25: Bishop Daniel Thomas Turley Murphy, O.S.A., Chulucanas, Peru (born in Chicago, IL)
  
• 64/18: Bishop William Francis Malooly, Auxiliary of Baltimore, MA
  
• 61/17: Bishop David Raymond Choby, Nashville, TN
  
• 61/21: Bishop Thomas James Olmsted, Phoenix, AZ
  
• 58/4: Bishop Gerald Michael Barbarito, Palm Beach, FL
  
• 49/21: Bishop Miguel Romano Gómez, Auxiliary of Guadalajara, México (born in El Paso, TX)
  

Ordination to the Priesthood:

• 55/24: Bishop John Stephen Cummins, Emeritus of Oakland, CA
  
• 50/6: Bishop George Edward Rueger, Auxiliary Emeritus of Worcester, MA
  
• 20/30: Bishop Daniel Ernest Flores, Auxiliary of Detroit, MI
  

Consecration as a Bishop:

• 35/28: Bishop Joseph Lawson Howze, Emeritus of Biloxi, MS
  
• The following 3 were consecrated in the same ceremony:
  
  
  • 25/27: Bishop Patrick Ronald Cooney, Gaylord, MI
    
  • 25/27: Bishop Moses Bosco Anderson, S.S.E., Auxiliary Emeritus of Detroit, MI
    
  • 25/27: Bishop Dale Joseph Melczek, Gary, IN
  
  
• 20/25: Bishop John Mortimer Fourette Smith, Trenton, NJ
  
• 15/6: Archbishop Henry Joseph Mansell, Hartford, CT
  
• 10/21: Bishop Gerald Eugene Wilkerson, Auxiliary of Los Angeles, CA
  
• 10/27: Bishop James Albert Murray, Kalamazoo, MI
  
• 10/28: Bishop Richard John Garcia, Monterey in California
  
• 5/30: Bishop Ignatius Chung Wang, Auxiliary of San Francisco, CA
  

Ad Multos Annos!