Cardinal William H. Keeler

At the outset, I wish to express my gratitude to Rabbi David Straus, the President of the Board of Rabbis, for his gracious words of welcome and to Father Gregory J. Fairbanks, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Ecumenical and Religious Affairs, for his kind words of introduction. 

With the pastors present, I express to you the deep gratitude of so many for your continued service to souls. The word “continued” is used to signify that your participation…

In the name of the Church, I want to thank you for all your wonderful service. Today, we are joined with Archbishop Borders, and Bishops Malooly and Rozanski. Later, Bishop…

What a great honor it is, at the invitation of your Provincial Superior, Father Frank Amato, to ordain priests for the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, the Pallottines. I express…

On behalf of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, I offer the most cordial of welcomes to Father Brian Linnane, as he takes up the responsibilities of leadership at Loyola. Father Linnane’s…

Last week, the Catholic Review published the obituary of Father John F. Long, S.J., a remarkably wise and gifted leader whose service to the Church merits recognition here. From his…

Isaiah 5:1-7 The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel Philippians 4:6-9 Do these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Matthew 21:33-43…

My thanks go to Father Frank Callaghan for the invitation to be with you this evening. Also, to Msgr. Moeller, who has worked with Father Jaskot to prepare for this…

(John 1:45-51) The words of Nathaniel in the Gospel passage still ring in our ears, “You are the Son of God….” To Nathaniel, who also was sometimes called Bartholomew, Jesus…

Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, issued the following statement from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, Italy, at 4:45 p.m. EDT. “Today, Pope Benedict XVI began his service as…

In the name of your Catholic neighbors, I want to underscore the commitment of our Church to continue to oppose any tendencies which would lead to a new Shoah in…

On Tuesday of last week I felt very deeply that, as we voted in the Sistine Chapel, we were not just the 115 electors, but a whole world of praying…

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Have faith in God and faith in me. In my Father’s home there are many dwelling places.” To all who are present I…

Con profunda tristeza he recibido la noticia de la muerte en el Señor del Papa Juan Pablo Segundo, quien ha sido un “Santo Padre” para mí y para muchos, de…

I am deeply saddened to learn of the death in the Lord of Pope John Paul II, who has been a “Holy Father” to me and to so many in…

To Dr. Michael Guerra, President of the NCEA, go my thanks for the invitation to be with you this afternoon. I am delighted at the presence of Bishop Martin Lohmuller,…

The presence of so many African bishops this morning evokes the memory of the days eleven years ago when the first Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Africa…

It is a joy to be again with Rabbi Jack Bemporad. In 1987, when the controversy over Chancellor Waldheim of Austria threatened the meeting planned between Pope John Paul II…

On behalf of all the pilgrims I wish to thank Cardinal McCarrick for his gracious and encouraging words of welcome and for his continued and vigorous support for the Culture…

It is both an honor and a personal pleasure to be here with my colleagues in the Interreligious Initiative for Peace in the Middle East. We believe in the same…

Dear Friends in Christ, Warmest wishes for a blessed Christmas! The scripture readings for this wondrous week remind us that it is God who took the first step, coming down…

Welcome to the most historic place of worship in the United States, where tonight together we participate in a service of those daughters and sons of Abraham who gather in…

In the United States, the freedom to choose one’s religion has long been taken for granted. In my home state of Maryland, the earliest American colonists sought refuge from the…

I bring to this topic a sense of humility – it is so complex and important. I also bring a sense of gratitude. I live in the state of Maryland—the…

(Jeremiah 1:4-9) Very often, ordination classes choose as a first reading the words of the Prophet Jeremiah Bishop Rozanski selected for the reading today. More frequently, however, the complaint of…

Our Lady must be very pleased with this historic Church and all of you who join us on this special day. Our minds are lifted up to heaven, and our…

To Bishop Gordon D. Bennett, in the name of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, I express the warmest congratulations together with our heartfelt gratitude for your faithful, pastoral work among us….

Welcome to the most historic place of worship in the United States! In 1806 the first bishop of the United States, John Carroll, laid the cornerstone for this first Cathedral…

This morning the Holy See announced the appointment by Pope John Paul II of Monsignor Mitchell T. Rozanski as Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore and Titular Bishop of Walla Walla. With…

Isaiah 61:1-3 The passage from the Prophet Isaiah is a reminder to us all of how the Lord God operates: Isaiah recounts how he was anointed by the Lord. “He…

The Honorable Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. State House Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Dear Governor Ehrlich: We come to you about the matter of capital punishment and the prospect of yet another…

With two very important exceptions, the Shoah and the deeper levels of theological discourse, which I will deal with at the end of this paper, the agenda for dialogue between…

The first half of the 20th Century was arguably the most violent and tragic period in human history. Two World Wars devastated much of the globe. Advances in technology enabled…

Dear Father Gilmour, On behalf of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and on my own behalf, please convey to the families of the children who died and to the Hispanic community…

Estimado Padre Gilmour, En nombre de la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore y en el mío propio, les doy mi más sentido pésame a las familias de los niños que fallecieron y…

Questions are being raised about offering the Eucharist to certain Catholic politicians whose records indicate their support for abortion. Let no one be confused about the fundamental importance of the…

His Eminence Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez Archbishop of Santo Domingo Arzobispado Apartado 186, Calle Isabel la Católica 55 Santo Domingo Dominican Republic Your Eminence, I write to communicate…

Most Rev. Yves-Marie Péan Bishop of Les Gonaïves Avenue des Dattes 89 Les Gonaïves Haiti Dear Bishop Péan, I write to communicate our feelings of solidarity and deepest sympathy with…

How grateful I am to Bishop Vikan for the invitation to join you this evening. We now reflect together on one of the most tragic events of the 20th Century,…

It is a joy to welcome so many to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen for the annual blessing of the holy oils to be used during the coming year…

To Monsignor Arthur Valenzano and all involved in this truly historic effort, I express in the name of the Archdiocese of Baltimore deepest appreciation and congratulations. The presences of Archbishop…

For me, it is a source of enormous joy to come here to Seton Hall to celebrate the 50 years of studies, under the aegis of Seton Hall, of the…

Thanks to Supreme Knight Carl Anderson for the invitation to offer these reflections on the word of God proclaimed here today. It is early in the day, too early perhaps…

Amid news from far and near that speak of continued painful events in our world and Church, I invite you to enter with me into the wonder of the gift…

Welcome to the Chapel of Loyola College, for this Eucharistic Celebration and for the ordination to the priesthood of Michael J. Guzik of the Province of New York and of…

The most humbling task of a bishop, and at the same time a great joy and privilege, is to ordain a priest for service to the Church. It is humbling…

At the outset with words of welcome I want to combine words of thanks to the wives, to the pastors, to the formation team, to other deacons who have given…

Our celebration of the Eucharist on this Mother’s Day in the Mother Church of the United States takes on its full meaning from the readings of the word of God…

I am very grateful to Rabbi David Rosen for the invitation to be with you today. Vividly do I recall the times we have been together: in 1992 in Baltimore…

I am very grateful to Rabbi David Rosen for the invitation to be with you today. Vividly do I recall the times we have been together: in 1992 in Baltimore…

Each Lent Jesus calls us through the Church to come closer to him through our personal prayer and penance, and through our common Lenten practices. This year, with the threat…

Twenty-five years ago this past October, a man unknown to most of the world stepped onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He was introduced as Pope John…

Hello. This is Cardinal Keeler, and for the next five minutes I would like to address matters of importance to all of us, and especially appropriate to this Good Shepherd…

Yesterday, on Palm Sunday we heard the powerful narrative of the Passion according to St. Matthew. There the evangelist told us just what it meant for Jesus in taking up…

In our scripture readings this weekend we heard the story of the man cured of blindness. He spoke the words, “I was blind but now I see.” With that gift…

The prayers that the Christians offered in Assisi today reflected the words of Jesus we have heard now from the Gospel according to St. Luke. They are not easy words…

The year we now complete is extraordinary. The events of September 11 leap to mind. Yet I mention that date only by way of introducing this celebration. And here is…

To Archbishop Justin Rigali, a dear friend of many years and a great shepherd in the Church, I express my thanks for the personal invitation to be with you today….

The readings from the word of God illumine our reflections this morning. They bring the balm of the Lord’s healing power to the pain of loss felt by Father Hotchkin’s…

The readings for today were chosen by Bishop Malooly and help us to a faith vision of the office of bishop he is soon to receive by the laying on…

Our America celebrates its heritage of religious freedom. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore we can also rejoice in remembering that religious freedom in the English-speaking world had its beginnings in…

With gratitude and joy I acknowledge the new gift of Pope John Paul II to the Archdiocese of Baltimore in the appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Bishop-elect W. Francis Malooly….

The purpose of this pastoral statement on marriage, sexuality and chastity is threefold. First, it is offered to assist pastors in presenting a positive and wholesome Catholic vision of sexuality…

The reading from the prophet Micah calls us to do works of justice. Repeatedly in this year of the Great Jubilee Pope John Paul II, speaking in the name of…

It is a joy to return to Savannah for another historic, jubilant day in the life of your Diocese as you mark your 150th anniversary. I had come for the…

To Archbishop Jozef Zycinski I express my deep appreciation for the invitation to be here and for his gracious hospitality. To the Rector, the Reverend Professor Andrzej Szostek and the…

Good morning. This is the first opportunity I have had to take part in your annual conference since becoming Chairman of the Bishops’ Pro-Life Committee. I am truly delighted to…

With great joy I extend a welcome to this Basilica, the first cathedral of our land and the mother church of Catholicism in the United States. To those of the…

To Archbishop Edwin O’Brien I express deep gratitude for the invitation to join you today in remembering those who have died in the service of our beloved United States of…

It is always an enormous honor to be the instrument of the Holy Spirit in laying hands upon those called to the priesthood and, in prayer, invoking upon them the…

(Is. 61:1-3ab, 6a, 8b-9) Three weeks ago yesterday Pope John Paul II concluded his personal Jubilee pilgrimage to the land that is holy, holy to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The…

In this year of the Great Jubilee of the Coming of the Redeemer, the dialogue between East and West has a special urgency for those who believe in Jesus Christ…

What we begin today in our pilgrimage through Lent is, as the word of God so beautifully reminds us, multifaceted. What the headlines and TV news of the past week…

Thank you, Mr. Mel Shralow, for your gracious words of introduction. I shall tell Rabbi Zaiman of your kindness. Also, I want to acknowledge the goodness of Larry Rudin for…

To Cardinal Hickey, thanks to you for your gracious welcome to this great basilica which reflects so well your love of it and your love for the Church. To you…

Twenty-five years ago a number of you assembled here for the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of the Eparchy under the spiritual guidance of the great and holy Bishop Basil…

It is a privilege to accept the invitation of Supreme Knight Virgil Dechant to reflect with you, my brother Knights, your ladies, whose presence is another sign for your support…

Today, in our walking, in our friendship, in our prayers and in the celebration of this Eucharist we remember the person who has done more to shape our world during…

When he visited Cuba last year Pope John Paul II issued a plea that Cuba should be more open to the world, and the world to Cuba. His own visit…

Isaiah, God’s prophet, tells us how God touched his life, and how God touches us. God called him as a baby before birth, scarcely stirring in the womb, beneath his…

The present came, first of all, from the priests who sent in the names and addresses of potential seminary candidates. It came also, if more remotely, from the families of…

To my great surprise, Thanksgiving Day saw me in the air en route to Turkey – and, to anticipate a question, there was no turkey on the menu during the…

It is a personal joy for me to represent His Holiness Pope John Paul II here today in presenting, in the name of Pope John Paul, the great honor of…

Dear Friends in Christ, On Ash Wednesday Jesus, through the Church, again invites us to walk with him, as best we can, along the Lenten way to Holy Week and…