Cardinal O'Malley by Pufui Pc Pifpef I / Wikimedia Commons
CV NEWS FEED // The president of the Catholic University of America recently called Cardinal Seán O’Malley one of the school’s “most distinguished alumni,” praising the cardinal for his years of service to the Church as he announced his retirement from the position of Archbishop of Boston on August 5.
“We are grateful for and admire the courageous and forthright manner in which he has served the Church and this University with extraordinary service and dedication,” President Peter Kilpatrick stated in a news release, adding:
On behalf of Catholic University, I would like to thank Cardinal O’Malley for his leadership, which has been marked by profound commitment to the Church and her mission. His efforts in addressing critical issues, such as the global immigration crisis and the clergy sexual abuse crisis, reflect his deep sense of responsibility and compassion.
Cardinal O’Malley attended CUA in the late 1960s, earning his master’s degree in religious education and a doctorate in Spanish and Portuguese Literature. He additionally taught as a professor at the University from 1969 to 1973, and chaired CUA’s Board of Trustees during the 2016-17 term. Now, he is still a member of the Board.
Kilpatrick also reminded of the new Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley Endowed Chair for Hispanic Ministry and Evangelization at CUA, which honors the cardinal’s “decades of leadership.”
“This endowed chair will continue the cardinal’s legacy by fostering greater evangelical fervor and pastoral expertise within Hispanic and Latino communities,” Kilpatrick added in the news release.
Cardinal O’Malley has served the Archdiocese of Boston as bishop since 2003. On August 5, it was announced that Pope Francis had appointed Providence Bishop Richard Henning as the new Boston archbishop, allowing the 80-year-old cardinal to retire.
Bishop Henning is also a CUA alumnus, having received a licentiate in Biblical theology from the university.
