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Cardinal DiNardo, USCCB president, ‘resting comfortably’ after suffering mild stroke

Catholic News Service

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, suffered a mild stroke March 15. CNS FILE

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This article was updated March 21.

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston released the following statement March 20 regarding Cardinal DiNardo:

Following a mild stroke experienced last Friday evening while leading a Lenten observance of the Stations of the Cross, we are pleased to report that Cardinal DiNardo’s condition has improved to the point that he was discharged from St. Joseph’s Hospital today — and has entered a standard rehabilitation program which usually lasts in the neighborhood of two weeks. Based on recent trends, doctors expect the Cardinal to make a full recovery. “I could not be more grateful to the truly wonderful doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s for their expert care and compassion, which has helped hasten my way down the road to a full recovery,” said Cardinal DiNardo. “I am also doubly thankful for the many kind wishes and especially the prayers that have been directed towards my healing, which I can assure you are making a true difference. I look forward to getting back to work soon and continuing the important work we have before us.”  

HOUSTON — Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S .Conference of Catholic Bishops, was taken to the hospital late March 15 after experiencing symptoms of what tests March 16 confirmed was a mild stroke, according to an archdiocesan statement.

“The cardinal was resting comfortably and conversing with associates, doctors and nurses,” the statement said. “It is expected that Cardinal DiNardo will remain hospitalized for a few more days of testing and observation, followed by a transfer to another facility for rehabilitation.”

Cardinal DiNardo, 69, “is grateful to the doctors and nurses for their wonderful care and for continued prayers during his recovery,” it said.

The statement quoted the cardinal as saying, “With so much to do I am looking forward to getting back to work as soon as possible.”

The USCCB, in a news release, said it joined with the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese “in praying for the cardinal’s quick recovery.”

During his recovery Cardinal DiNardo has assigned his USCCB duties to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, vice president of the conference, as provided for by the USCCB bylaws.

Cardinal DiNardo and Archbishop Gomez were elected USCCB president and vice president, respectively, during the bishops’ annual fall general assembly in Baltimore in November 2016. They began their three-year terms at the close of the meeting.

Cardinal DiNardo, who served as USCCB vice president for three years before being elected president, has headed the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston since 2006, when as coadjutor archbishop, he immediately succeeded Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza when he retired. Then-Archbishop DiNardo was named a cardinal in 2007, making him the first cardinal from Texas.

 

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