William H. Keeler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop emeritus of Baltimore | |
Keeler in 1996
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| See | Baltimore |
| Appointed | April 11, 1989 |
| Enthroned | May 23, 1989 |
| Reign ended | July 12, 2007 |
| Predecessor | William Donald Borders |
| Successor | Edwin Frederick O'Brien |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria degli Angeli |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | July 17, 1955 |
| Consecration | September 21, 1979 by Joseph Thomas Daley |
| Created Cardinal | November 26, 1994 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 4, 1931 San Antonio, Texas |
| Died | March 23, 2017 (aged 86) Catonsville, Maryland |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Gregorian University (STL, JCD) |
| Motto | Opus fac evangelistae ('Do the work of an evangelist') |
William Henry Keeler (born March 4, 1931 – died March 23, 2017) was an important American cardinal in the Catholic Church. He served as the Archbishop of Baltimore, Maryland, from 1989 to 2007. In 1994, he was made a cardinal. Before this, he was an Auxiliary Bishop and then the Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. Keeler also led the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1992 to 1995.
As Archbishop of Baltimore, Keeler helped restore the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is the oldest cathedral in the United States. He was also known for building strong friendships with people from other religious groups, especially Jewish and Protestant faiths.
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Early Life and Education
William Keeler was born in San Antonio, Texas, on March 4, 1931. His parents were Thomas Love and Margaret Keeler. His family moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he went to St. Mary School and Lebanon Catholic High School. William was one of five children. His mother was a teacher, and his father sold steel castings.
Keeler was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He achieved the highest rank, becoming an Eagle Scout. He earned a bachelor's degree from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, in 1952.
While studying in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, he became a priest on July 17, 1955. He received two advanced degrees from the Gregorian University: a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1956 and a Doctor of Canon Law in 1961.
After working in the Diocese of Harrisburg, he became an expert, or peritus, and secretary to Bishop George Leech at the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). He attended all four meetings of the Council. Keeler helped share daily news about the Council with people in the United States.
Becoming a Bishop
On July 24, 1979, Keeler was named an Auxiliary Bishop of Harrisburg. He became a bishop on September 21, 1979. His motto as a bishop was Opus Fac Evangelistae, which means "Do the Work of an Evangelist."
Keeler became the seventh Bishop of Harrisburg on November 10, 1983. He was officially installed on January 4, 1984. As Bishop of Harrisburg, he worked on committees that encouraged dialogue between different religions. He also helped expand programs for young people in the diocese.
Leading the Archdiocese of Baltimore
Becoming Archbishop and Cardinal
On April 11, 1989, Keeler was appointed the fourteenth Archbishop of Baltimore. He officially began this role on May 23. As Archbishop of Baltimore, Keeler was in charge of America's oldest Catholic area.
In November 1992, he was chosen to be the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). He served in this role until 1995.
Pope John Paul II made Keeler a Cardinal-Priest on November 26, 1994. This happened during a special ceremony called a consistory.
While leading the USCCB, Cardinal Keeler helped organize the 1993 World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado. He also helped plan Pope John Paul II's visit to Baltimore in 1995. Many people saw Keeler as one of the most respected Catholic leaders in the United States.
In 1994, Pope John Paul II also made Keeler a member of two important Vatican groups. Keeler took part in the 2005 conclave that elected Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI.
Keeler held many other important positions. He was president of the American Division Catholic Near East Welfare Association. He also chaired the Black and Native American Missions Board and Catholic Charities. Keeler was also the president of the Cathedral Foundation and published the archdiocese's newspaper, The Catholic Review.
Basilica Restoration Project
Cardinal Keeler was in charge of restoring the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore. This basilica is America's first cathedral. The restoration project cost about $32 million. All the money came from private donations, not from the church's funds.
The work lasted from 2004 until November 2006. It was finished just in time for a celebration marking 200 years since the basilica's groundbreaking. After the restoration, the Basilica looked much like it did when it was first built.
Retirement as Archbishop
In April 2006, Cardinal Keeler turned 75. According to Church law, he submitted his resignation to the Pope. Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation on July 12, 2007. Edwin Frederick O'Brien became the new Archbishop of Baltimore.
Awards and Recognition
| Styles of William Henry Keeler |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Baltimore (emeritus) |
William Keeler was a Distinguished Eagle Scout. He received several high honors from the Boy Scouts of America, including the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Silver Buffalo awards.
He also received special honorary degrees from several colleges and universities. These included Lebanon Valley College, Gettysburg College, Susquehanna University, and Gannon University.
Beliefs and Dialogue
Life Issues
Cardinal Keeler spoke about important topics concerning life. He expressed sadness about the death of Terri Schiavo. She was a woman in a persistent vegetative state whose feeding tube was removed in 2005. Keeler called her death a "human tragedy."
Working with Other Religions
Keeler was well-known for his dedication to ecumenism (working with other Christian churches) and interreligious dialogue (talking with people of other faiths). When Pope John Paul II visited the United States in 1987, Keeler helped arrange meetings. These meetings were with Jewish leaders in Miami, Florida, and Protestant leaders in Columbia, South Carolina. Keeler helped make sure these important meetings happened.
On November 18, 2005, he spoke at a meeting of the National Council of Churches. He assured everyone that the Catholic Church and Pope Benedict XVI were committed to working together with other Christian groups.
Death
Cardinal William Henry Keeler passed away on March 23, 2017. He was 86 years old. He died at his home in Catonsville, Maryland, after being ill for several years.
See also
In Spanish: William Henry Keeler para niños
- Catholic Church hierarchy
- Catholic Church in the United States
- Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States
- List of Catholic bishops of the United States
- Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
