Cardinal McCarrick says his 75th birthday 'just another day'

Published: 2005-07-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick distributed Communion July 7 at Washington's St. Matthew Cathedral, some of the communicants had a special message for him: Happy birthday. Thanking the congregation in his closing remarks at the Mass, the Washington archbishop asked them "to pray for me, that every day I might do (God's) will." The congregation then surprised him by singing "Happy Birthday" and applauding him. As all bishops turning 75 are required to do by canon law, Cardinal McCarrick submitted his letter of resignation to Pope Benedict XVI July 7, his 75th birthday. It is up to the pope to determine when the resignation is accepted. But in a July 1 telephone interview from Rome with the Catholic Standard, Washington archdiocesan newspaper, the cardinal said his 75th birthday would be "just another day." He added, "I hope the people continue to pray for me, and I'll continue to work for them as long as the Lord and the Holy Father want me to."

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