Archbishop’s Blog

I shared the message below with clergy and pastoral leaders in the Archdiocese.  Please join me in solidarity with our Holy Father as he consecrates Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday, March 25.

My heart is filled with gratitude as I express deep thanks to all of you – the priests, deacons, women and men religious, and faithful leaders of the Archdiocese of Louisville – for your prayers and your presence at the noon Mass […]

How truly blessed we are in the Archdiocese of Louisville that our Holy Father Pope Francis, impelled by the Holy Spirit, has appointed Bishop Shelton Joseph Fabre as our 10^th bishop and 5^th archbishop.  I am delighted to welcome Archbishop-designate Shelton, whom I have admired and called friend for the past 15 years.

Archbishop Fabre comes from Louisiana and brings with him such outstanding gifts – a deep love of Jesus Christ, an […]

A photo of my family. My sister, Rose, is standing to the far right.

As we celebrate All Saint Day and anticipate the upcoming Vocation Awareness Week beginning November 7, I want to share this essay I wrote while on retreat in 1995 about my sister, Rose, and her influence on my priestly vocation.

This reflection was written on May 11, 1995, during my annual retreat at the Jesuit Retreat Center in Wernersville, PA.

Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, […]

Please view this video about the wonderful work of Catholic Charities of Louisville and its Sister Visitor Center. As those who spoke attest, the staff at Sister Visitor work hard to honor the immediate needs and great dignity of each person they serve.  To see more videos about the work of Catholic Charities of Louisville in the “You have no idea…” series, go to cclou.org/youhavenoidea.

Here is the video about Sister Visitor:

It is with great joy that I welcome the news that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Father John C. Iffert as the next Bishop of the Diocese of Covington.  Bishop-elect Iffert brings a wonderful background in ministry as a priest of the Diocese of Belleville where he has served as a parochial vicar, a pastor, and most recently as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He is known […]

See a video testimonial I recorded for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops highlighting my devotion to St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus watching in the shadows throughout my spiritual growth.

As Holy Week begins, please reflect on the fine homily preached by Fr. Martin Linebach at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville on Palm Sunday morning this year.

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion – 2021

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Pain is not good in itself. What is good in any painful experience is, for the sufferer, his submission to the will of God, and, for the spectators, the compassion aroused and the acts of mercy to which it leads. 

C. S. Lewis, The Problem […]

Beauty Heals, an initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Religious Liberty, invites us to learn about works of devotional art significant to local churches and how they inspire Catholics to live beautifully. Check out this video in which I introduce one of the Archdiocese of Louisville’s treasures at the Speed Art Museum.

I had the privilege to present Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz Innovation Awards to five Catholic school teachers who are early in their teaching careers but already demonstrating innovative and creative approaches to learning that inspire outstanding student achievement. I thank the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) for sponsoring these awards and the Dan Ulmer Family, who has been so generous in recognizing excellent teaching through their partnership with the CEF for many years. Watch this video to learn more about these […]

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to talk with a Saint Gabriel School 8th grader, Jack Lambert. Jack interviewed me about my advice and insights for the 8 graders as they prepare to be confirmed in March.

Listen to our interview at: