VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter

John L. Allen Jr. | Dec. 16, 2013 NCR Today

ROME Pope Francis on Monday named Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., as a member of the Vatican’s all-important Congregation for Bishops, essentially ratifying Wuerl as a highly influential figure in terms of shaping bishops’ appointments in the United States.

Wuerl was the only new American named to the congregation by Francis, although the pope also confirmed Cardinal William Levada, who stepped down in July 2012 as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as a member of the body.

Francis likewise confirmed that the Congregation for Bishops will continue to be led by Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, who’s held the position since June 2010.

Notably, Francis did not confirm Cardinal Raymond Burke, president of the Apostolic Signatura, the Vatican’s highest court, as a member of the Congregation for Bishops. Generally…