DiNardo is first Roman Catholic Cardinal selected from Texas
Published 12-12-07
Published 12-12-07
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today hosted a luncheon to honor Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston who was elevated by Pope Benedict XVI to the main advisory body of the Holy See on Nov. 24. This marks the first time a Roman Catholic bishop from Texas has been elevated to the College of Cardinals.“Our state’s faith tradition is a strong one continued by the millions of people who daily live out their faith by obeying the law loving one another and helping the less fortunate. Cardinal DiNardo embodies the example of a life lived by faith. He understands the unique culture of our state and is living proof that the Roman Catholic faith is alive and well and thriving in Texas” said Gov. Perry.
Cardinal DiNardo was elevated with 22 other clerics from around the world at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
During the ceremony the pope presented DiNardo with a red biretta and a ring symbolizing his bond to the pope and the Roman Catholic Church.
Later in the week DiNardo participated in a papal audience attended by thousands worldwide including more than 500 parishioners from the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.
As a cardinal DiNardo will oversee the Church of St. Eusebius one of Rome’s oldest churches. He is eligible to participate in future papal conclaves that begin before his 80th birthday.
“This selection is a distinctive honor for not just Texas but the whole south of the United States - certainly for Houston” said Cardinal DiNardo. “I have been so warmly accepted by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and to now be selected to be a cardinal of the Church is humbling and overwhelming.”
Cardinal DiNardo will now serve as an advisor to Pope Benedict XVI and continue in his responsibilities as archbishop.
DiNardo served in the Vatican from 1984 to 1991 and was ordained as a bishop in the Diocese of Sioux City Iowa in October 1997.
He was later named a bishop to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston which was elevated by Pope John Paul II to an archdiocese in December 2004.
In February 2006 DiNardo succeeded Joseph Fiorenza as archbishop of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.
He was later named a bishop to the Diocese of Galveston-Houston which was elevated by Pope John Paul II to an archdiocese in December 2004.
In February 2006 DiNardo succeeded Joseph Fiorenza as archbishop of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese.
