Philadelphia, Pa., Oct 6, 2003 / 22:00 pm
Archbishop and cardinal-designate Justin Rigali arrived in Philadelphia yesterday in anticipation of his installation as the new spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia today. The former archbishop of St. Louis succeeds Anthony Joseph Cardinal Bevilacqua, who retired according to canon law.
Cardinal Bevilacqua was present to welcome Archbishop Rigali at the 2 p.m. installation mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. About 1,600 people, including five cardinals, 15 archbishops, 70 bishops and more than 500 priests are expected to attend.
St. Louis’ Catholics held a special farewell mass in honor of Archbishop Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis Oct. 5. There, the 68-year-old archbishop addressed the faithful, whom he had served for nine-and-a-half years, and affirmed the role of both the religious and the laity, saying that they are “all necessary for the Church to fulfil her mission.”
Archbishop Rigali underlined the important role of the family. He emphasized that the Church counts on the family to “transmit the faith to their children, to transmit the ideals of human sexuality, and Christian married love [and] to transmit the steam for the vocations to the priesthood and religious life.”
He also encouraged the community to continue their outreach to the poor and to protect children and the unborn.
Though the new archbishop of St. Louis has not yet been named, Archbishop Rigali invited the community to welcome the new archbishop warmly. He also urged them to renew their “fidelity to Jesus Christ and His gospel, to the teachings of the Church, and to the sacred practices of the Church, to the whole sacramental life of the Church, the Sunday eucharistic celebration, and eucharistic adoration, to liturgical and private prayer.”
Archbishop Rigali will be inducted in to the College of Cardinals in Rome Oct. 21. Of the 31 bishops to be named cardinal, he is the only one from the United States.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA