Cardinal William H. Keeler

Cardinal William H. Keeler, Baltimore’s 14th archbishop, who was an international leader in Catholic-Jewish relations and the driving force behind the restoration of America’s first cathedral, died March 23 at his residence at St. Martin’s Home for the Aged in Catonsville, Md. He was 86.

His Funeral Mass was celebrated by Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori March 28 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore. Cardinal Dolan, who delivered the homily, recalled with great affection “the indefatigable, friendly, ever-unruffled gentleman of faith and charity, William Henry Cardinal Keeler.”

Pope Francis, in a papal telegram March 24, sent condolences to Archbishop Lori and the archdiocese, expressing gratitude for “Cardinal Keeler’s years of devoted episcopal ministry” and his “long-standing commitment to ecumenical and interreligious understanding.” He called the cardinal a “wise and gentle pastor.”

Cardinal Keeler was the bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., when he was appointed archbishop of Baltimore in 1989. Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1994. He retired in 2007. As president of the U.S. bishops’ conference from 1992 to 1995, he participated in a wide range of national and international issues.

As part of his work with what is now the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Keeler developed a reputation for effectively building interfaith bonds. He was noted for his work in furthering Catholic-Jewish dialogue. He was appointed moderator of Catholic-Jewish Relations for the USCCB.

Archbishop Lori, in his statement, remarked on “the respect and esteem” in which the cardinal was held by his brother bishops and said he was known for his “prowess as a Church historian.”

Cardinal Keeler twice served as chairman of the U.S. bishops’ Committee for Pro-Life Activities and testified at all levels of government on legislation ranging from abortion to euthanasia to capital punishment.

Among the cardinal’s many accomplishments in the Baltimore Archdiocese, Archbishop Lori highlighted “the wonderful visit of Pope St. John Paul II to Baltimore in 1995, the restoration of the Basilica of the Assumption and the creation of Partners in Excellence which has helped thousands of young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods to receive a sound Catholic education.”

Born in San Antonio and raised in Lebanon, Pa., William Henry Keeler knew from an early age he was called to the priesthood.

He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1955. Assignments included secretary to Harrisburg Bishop George L. Leech and as a “peritus,” or special adviser, during Second Vatican Council meetings in Rome.

He later was named vice chancellor and vicar general of the Harrisburg Diocese and named an auxiliary bishop for the diocese in 1979. Four years later he was appointed its bishop.

As Baltimore’s archbishop, Cardinal Keeler was head of the nation’s first archdiocese.

Father Michael White, Cardinal Keeler’s first priest-secretary in Baltimore, said “not a day went by” when bishops from other parts of the country didn’t call for the cardinal’s advice.

Cardinal Keeler underwent knee replacement surgery in 2005 and had to have brain surgery in 2006 following a car accident in Italy that resulted in the death of a priest friend.

“His final years of illness were lived in silent, Christ-like dignity and acceptance to the will of God,” said New York native Cardinal Edwin F. O’Brien, Cardinal Keeler’s immediate successor in Baltimore, who is grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Cardinal O’Brien led the Final Commendation.

Interment was at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore.—CNS