Joseph Edward Kurtz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Joseph Edward Kurtz |
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| Archbishop Emeritus of Louisville | |
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Archbishop Kurtz in 2016
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| Archdiocese | Louisville |
| Appointed | June 12, 2007 |
| Enthroned | August 15, 2007 |
| Predecessor | Thomas C. Kelly, O.P |
| Successor | Shelton Fabre |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | March 18, 1972 |
| Consecration | December 8, 1999 by Gabriel Montalvo Higuera, Thomas C. Kelly, and Edward Peter Cullen |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Joseph Edward Kurtz |
| Born | August 18, 1946 Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Residence | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Parents | George and Stella (née Zmijewski) Kurtz |
| Occupation | Archbishop |
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| Alma mater | St. Charles Borromeo Seminary Marywood University |
| Motto | Hope In The Lord |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Joseph Edward Kurtz |
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| Reference style |
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| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Joseph Edward Kurtz (born August 18, 1946) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. A prelate is a high-ranking church leader. He served as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville in Kentucky from 2007 to 2022. Before that, he was the bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee from 1999 to 2007. Kurtz also led the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as its president from 2013 to 2016.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Education
Joseph Kurtz was born on August 18, 1946, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. His parents were George and Stella Kurtz. He was one of five children and has Polish family roots.
In 1964, he began his studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. There, he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy degree. He also received a Master of Divinity degree from the same school.
Becoming a Priest
On March 18, 1972, Joseph Kurtz became a priest. He was ordained for the Diocese of Allentown by Bishop Joseph McShea. After this, he continued his education at Marywood University in Scranton. He earned a Master of Social Work degree there.
During his time as a priest, Kurtz worked in many roles. He was a high school teacher and a college lecturer. He also served as an administrator and a pastor in churches in Catasauqua and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 1986, he was given the title of Monsignor, which is an honorary title for a Catholic priest.
Serving as a Bishop
On October 26, 1999, Pope John Paul II chose Kurtz to be the second bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville. A bishop is a senior member of the Christian clergy, usually in charge of a diocese. He officially became a bishop on December 8, 1999. This ceremony was led by Archbishop Gabriel Higuera. About 5,000 people attended the event at the Knoxville Convention Center.
Leading as an Archbishop
On June 12, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Kurtz as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville. An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, usually in charge of a larger area called an archdiocese. His official installation ceremony took place on August 15, 2007, at Louisville Gardens in Louisville.
Besides his duties in Louisville, Kurtz took on other important roles. He chaired the USCCB Committee on Marriage and Family Life. The USCCB is a group of Catholic bishops in the United States. In November 2010, he was chosen as the vice president of the USCCB.
On November 11, 2013, Kurtz was elected president of the USCCB. This made him a leading voice for the Catholic Church in the U.S. In 2014, he was also appointed to a special group called the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. This group helps guide Catholic churches in Eastern traditions.
In July 2019, Archbishop Kurtz needed treatment for cancer. He took a three-month break from his duties in the archdiocese to recover.
Retirement
On February 8, 2022, Pope Francis accepted Archbishop Kurtz's request to retire. He stepped down from his role as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Beliefs and Views
Archbishop Kurtz is known for following the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church very closely. He believed strongly in the rules and practices set by the Vatican. His personal motto, "Hope in the Lord," shows his deep faith.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Edward Kurtz para niños
