San Jose Bishop Oscar Cantú and theologian Cathleen Kaveny (NCR screenshot/YouTube)
September 1, 2022
Pope Francis on Aug. 27 elevated San Diego's Bishop Robert McElroy to the rank of cardinal, along with 19 other Catholic prelates from around the world.
NCR columnist Michael Sean Winters, who believes McElroy's appointment holds "enormous significance" for the church, sat down in Rome with San Jose Bishop Oscar Cantú and theologian Cathleen Kaveny to discuss the importance of Francis' strategic decision to promote McElroy to this esteemed position.
More background reading:
- In his first homily as a cardinal, McElroy emphasized that humility is one of the chief challenges and callings of the Christian life.
- Contrary to recent remarks by some U.S. Catholic leaders, McElroy believes Francis has a "deep" understanding of the church in the United States.
- As reported by EarthBeat, McElroy has been among the most outspoken U.S. bishops in addressing climate change and environmental justice.
- Winters says McElroy is particularly well poised to address the issue of religious liberty given his expertise in U.S. Catholic history.
- Watch on TikTok as Winters share his perspective on the tradition of cardinals and what the new Cardinal McElroy calls affective collegiality.
- View NCR's full coverage of the consistory here.
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