HOUSTON, TX, OCT. 17, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston will be the first head of a Texas archdiocese to wear a red hat. The prelate says that he is "humbled and surprised."
Benedict XVI announced the names of 23 new cardinals today after the weekly general audience. The consistory, the second of the Pope's pontificate, will be held Nov. 24, the eve of the solemnity of Christ the King.
Archbishop DiNardo, whose diocese consists of 1.3 million Catholics, said in reaction to his appointment: "I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for his kindness in appointing me and for his trust in allowing me to be placed in the College of Cardinals.
"May I immediately add that it is also very humbling and surprising! I promise him my fullest communion, loyalty and obedience."
Archbishop DiNardo, 58, is a native of Steubenville, Ohio. He entered St. Paul Seminary in 1967 and studied at Duquesne University, and then went on to receive a master's degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of America.
After earning a licentiate of sacred theology in patristics at the Augustinianum Institute in Rome, DiNardo was ordained a priest in 1977, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Father DiNardo was named assistant chancellor of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1981, and then returned to Rome as a staff member of the Congregation for Bishops in 1984.
On Oct. 7, 1997, he was ordained coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City, and was installed as bishop on Nov. 28, 1998.
When Galveston-Houston was elevated to an archdiocese 2004, Bishop DiNardo was also elevated to coadjutor archbishop, which made him the immediate successor to Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza.
Bishop DiNardo became the archbishop of Galveston-Houston in 2006, upon the retirement of Archbishop Fiorenza.
Archbishop DiNardo currently serves on the ad hoc committee to oversee the use of the catechism at the U.S. Catholic bishops' conference, and also serves as the U.S. Catholic bishops' advisor to the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
He is a member of the board of directors of Catholic University of America, and the National Catholic Partnership for Persons With Disabilities, both in Washington, D.C.
ZE07101705 - 2007-10-17