Cardinal George elected bishops' conference vice president

Published: 2004-11-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops elected Chicago's Cardinal Francis E. George as vice president Nov. 15, it was the first time in 33 years that a cardinal has been selected as one of the conference's two top officers. Cardinal George, 67, has been archbishop of Chicago since 1997 and a cardinal since 1998. Every third year the bishops elect a new USCCB president and vice president from a slate of 10 nominees. A simple majority is needed for election. Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., vice president for the past three years, was easily elected president, winning 52 percent of the vote on the first ballot.

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