Today the Lord called home Cardinal James A. Hickey, whose pastoral leadership has been an enormous blessing wherever he has served. He has been a dear friend since 1962, when we went to Rome together to be of assistance at the Second Vatican Council. As bishop and as archbishop, he showed repeatedly his love for the poor and for children. In the Maryland Catholic Conference he was a tireless advocate for justice, for reform of the penal system and for the common good of all our citizens. In the neighboring Archdiocese of Washington he was a wonderfully good neighbor and faithful friend. In these recent years, while his declining health caused much concern, his successor Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick and the Little Sisters of the Poor assured him the best of care. May his noble soul rest in peace.
Cardinal William H. Keeler
Archbishop of Baltimore
October 24, 2004