Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz
“The death of an exemplary churchman such as Cardinal Francis George brings much sadness at a time of joy and resurrection. We find peace in knowing that, after so much suffering, he has been raised up with our Lord. As archbishop of Chicago and president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, Cardinal George led as a kindly servant and unmatched intellectual, a man who encouraged everyone to see how God makes us all brother and sister to one another. I join with my brother bishops in thanking God for the gift of his witness and invite all to pray for the faithful repose of his soul.”
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput
“Cardinal George was a close friend over many years, from the time I was a young bishop in Rapid City. We talked often. He was a constant source of good counsel and encouragement.
“As a fellow religious, he was a model for me of living the Beatitudes well, despite the daily crush of leading a large local Church. As a bishop and a scholar, he was the finest intellect the Church in America has seen in many decades. The only consolation in losing him is knowing that he served the Lord well, and the Lord has welcomed him home.
“On behalf of the Church in Philadelphia, I extend prayerful condolences to Cardinal George’s family and many friends as well as Archbishop Blase J. Cupich and the priests, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
“I ask the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to offer prayers for Cardinal George, and our priests to offer Masses for the repose of his soul. All of us are very grateful for the gifts of his life and service to the Universal Church.
“May God grant him the gift of eternal life, and give peace and consolation to all those who loved, admired, and respected him.”
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan
While we have all realized for a while that it was near, the passing of Cardinal Francis George still comes as a jolt, and leaves us with a sense of emptiness and loss.
I assure Archbishop Cupich and the Catholic family of Chicago of our love, condolences, and prayers here in New York.
I will miss him as a pastor, friend, and guide, and can only thank God for the gift that he was and will ever be.
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is mourning the passing today of its distinguished alumnus and former longtime trustee Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., retired archbishop of Chicago. University President John Garvey issued the following statement:
“We at The Catholic University of America were fortunate to have Cardinal George as a member of our Board of Trustees for more than 20 years, including during the entire time that he was cardinal archbishop of Chicago. I was honored to have the opportunity to publicly thank him for his wise counsel to me and for his long and devoted service to his alma mater at our December board meeting last year. He was a man who put his great intellectual gifts at the disposal of Jesus Christ and his Church and who candidly spoke the truth in season and out.”
Cardinal George received a Master of Arts degree from Catholic University in 1965.
The Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University of Notre Dame
“Cardinal Francis George was a good and faithful bishop, a leader in the American Church and a dedicated witness to the Gospel. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his religious community and the Archdiocese of Chicago. May he rest in the peace of Christ.”
The Rev. Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Francis Cardinal George and have nothing but deep gratitude and appreciation for his 17 years of leadership and service as Chancellor of Catholic Extension during his term as head of the Archdiocese of Chicago.
“We will carry with us fond memories of the Cardinal’s missionary zeal and are blessed to have received his wise counsel as our leader. Cardinal George accelerated our capacity to meet the urgent needs and priorities of all 94 of our mission dioceses. Since Cardinal George became our chancellor in 1997, Catholic Extension granted a total of $300 million to strengthen the church’s mission and helped construct 1,800 churches in the poorest regions and most challenging communities in the U.S. His legacy and the impact he has had on all of us will be an inspiration for years to come.”