WASHINGTON—Cardinal William H. Keeler, retired
archbishop of Baltimore and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB) from 1992-1995, was a “servant of priestly virtue and
gentlemanly manner,” said Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston,
president of USCCB. He was greatly known for his work as a faith leader in
ecumenism and interreligious affairs.

Cardinal Keeler, who retired in 2007, died March 23 at
St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Baltimore. He was 86.

Cardinal DiNardo’s statement follows:

This
morning, the Lord called home His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, a servant
of priestly virtue and gentlemanly manner.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops remembers his
generosity of spirit in service to his brothers and the people of God,
especially the Cardinal’s time as president from 1992 to 1995. We offer prayers
of gratitude for Cardinal Keeler’s return to the Lord he so dearly loved.

As a
priest, Bishop of Harrisburg, and Archbishop of Baltimore, the Cardinal worked
to bring the hope of Christ to people’s lives. He also built bridges of
solidarity to people of other faiths as a leader in ecumenism and
interreligious affairs. Cardinal Keeler
was a dear friend. The most fitting
tribute we can offer is to carry forward his episcopal motto in our daily
lives: “Do the work of an evangelist.”

—
Keywords: USCCB, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Pope Francis, Year of Mercy, Jubilee Year, mercy,
apostolic letter

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Norma Montenegro Flynn
O: 202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops