Fellow bishops proud Archbishop Levada named Vatican's doctrinal head

Published: 2005-05-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- His fellow U.S. bishops said they were pleased and proud that San Francisco Archbishop William J. Levada was named May 13 to head the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Los Angeles Cardinal Roger M. Mahony said his fellow Californian's "personal understanding of the United States' pastoral realities will also be most useful to the Holy Father," particularly his experience in handling clergy sexual abuse cases. Cardinal Mahony said Archbishop Levada brings "extraordinary intelligence, a deep life of faith, an unwavering commitment to the continuous teachings of the church and vast experience" to the Vatican congregation considered primary in responsibility and influence. Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of Buffalo, N.Y., was a seminary classmate of Archbishop Levada. "We were ordained literally shoulder to shoulder in St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 20, 1961," he said in a statement. Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington said in selecting Archbishop Levada the pope chose "one of the most outstanding bishops in the United States to serve as his close collaborator."

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