By: Paul H.R. No. 244
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Most Reverend Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, retired
archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, is serving as
Pastor of the Day for the Texas House of Representatives on February
12, 2025; and
WHEREAS, After serving the archdiocese as coadjutor
archbishop, Cardinal DiNardo was appointed archbishop on February
28, 2006; he served as a cardinal elector in the papal conclave of
2013, which saw the election of Pope Francis to the See of Peter;
that same year, he was elected vice president of the United States
Conference of Catholic Bishops; he further served on the Pontifical
Council for Culture, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care
of Migrants and Itinerant People, and the Council for the Economy;
in addition, he has served as a trustee of The Catholic University
of America; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure as the metropolitan archbishop,
Cardinal DiNardo pastored more than two million Catholics in the
diocese, which represents the largest Catholic population in the
state, and he guided over 430 priests in nearly 150 parishes and
more than 50 schools; he retired upon appointment of his successor
in January 2025; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal DiNardo studied at Saint Paul Seminary and
Duquesne University, and he received his master's degree in
philosophy from Catholic University and degrees in sacred theology
from both the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Patristic
Institute Augustinianum in Rome; he was ordained to the priesthood
for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1977 and served as parish
pastor, seminary professor, and spiritual director; from 1984 to
1991, he worked in Rome as a staff member for the Congregation for
Bishops, as adjunct professor at the Pontifical North American
College, and as director of Villa Stritch, the house for American
clergy; he then returned to Pittsburgh to pastor several parishes
and serve in the chancery; ordained as a bishop in 1997, he became
bishop of Sioux City, Iowa, the next year; and
WHEREAS, Cardinal DiNardo has inspired innumerable Texans
through his messages of faith and goodwill, and it is a great
privilege to welcome him to the State Capitol; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas
Legislature hereby honors the Most Reverend Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
and extend to him sincere appreciation for his many years of service
to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Cardinal DiNardo as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.