Archbishop Edwin O'Brien Credits Baltimore Catholics For His Elevation To Cardinal
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- This Saturday, Baltimore's own Archbishop Edwin O'Brien will be elevated to cardinal.
Mary Bubala shares his thoughts as he prepares for his most holy honor.
All this week, direct from Rome, the Catholic Review is sharing its coverage with WJZ.
The ceremony is one of the most important ever at the Vatican. Archbishop O'Brien is now in Rome where he's days away from becoming a cardinal.
O'Brien-- along with 21 others -- will kneel before the pope on Saturday who will place the traditional red, four-cornered silk hat on their heads during a lively ceremony.
It's a significant moment for Baltimore Catholics, who 18 years ago watched the elevation of Cardinal William Keeler in 1994.
Baltimore has only witnessed the making of a cardinal two other times-- in 1965 and in 1886.
A contingent from Baltimore arrived in Rome Wednesday and celebrated Mass with Cardinal-designate O'Brien.
The Catholic Review spoke with O'Brien in Rome. He became emotional thinking about what this means to Catholics here at home.
"I would not be here if it were not for them," he said. "I just want to make sure they are very much part of the ceremony in the liturgies that we celebrate and the gatherings we mark. It's not just a select few. It's going to be all the faithful of the Archdiocese and they deserve the honor as much as I do."
Before being named Baltimore's 15th archbishop, O'Brien previously served as archbishop for the military services from 1997 to 2007.
If you would like to hear more about the elevation, go to the Catholic Review's website.
