Catholic World News News Feature

Archbishop Levada appointed to Congregation for Bishops August 24, 2005

Archbishop William Levada, the incoming prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has also been named a member of the Congregation for Bishops.

The American archbishop, who will take up his new responsibilities at the Vatican on September 1, will have enormous influence as the head of the Vatican's doctrinal agency, where he take the post vacated by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he was elected to the papacy. As a member of the Congregation for Bishops, he will also have a hand in the selection of diocesan leaders thoughout the Catholic world.

Archbishop Levada, who has resigned his post as Archbishop of San Francisco in order to take the Vatican appointment, is the first American ever to occupy the top doctrinal position. He is likely to be named to other Vatican congregations in the future.

Cardinal Ratzinger, prior to his election to the papacy, was a member of the Congregations for Bishops, the Evangelization, for Divine Worship, for Caatholic Education, and for the Eastern Churches; he was also a member of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity.