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WASHINGTON (July 2, 2007)— Archbishop George H. Niederauer of San Francisco, chair of the Committee on Communications of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, praised the appointment of Archbishop John Foley as pro-grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.
Pope Benedict XVI made the appointment June 27. The Knights of the Holy Sepulcher is a fraternal organization dedicated to supporting the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and to responding to the needs of Catholics in the Holy Land. Archbishop Foley, 71, will remain in Rome and succeeds retired Italian Cardinal Carlo Furno, 85.
Archbishop Niederauer's statement follows.
"On behalf of the Committee on Communications of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I congratulate Archbishop John Foley on his appointment as pro-grand master of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.
"As head of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications for more than 23 years, Archbishop Foley has labored tirelessly to make the Church's communications apostolate known and respected throughout the world. He is known to millions of people for his for his narration of the Christmas Midnight Mass of the Holy Father on NBC and EWTN. Archbishop Foley has carried out his apostolate with grace, dignity, and humor, and his achievements will be admired for many years to come. He can be assured of our prayers and best wishes as he moves on to his new position.
"I also congratulate and offer words of welcome to Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli who will succeed Archbishop Foley as President of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications. It is interesting that among the many notable achievements in Archbishop Celli's long and distinguished career of service to the Church is that he has been secretary of the office which oversees the Holy See's Web site and Internet office. I am sure that Archbishop Celli will be able to count on the enthusiasm and support of his fellow Catholic communicators in the United States.