Cardinal William Keeler celebrated what may have been his last Good Friday service as the official head of the Baltimore Archdiocese Friday afternoon at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on North Charles Street in Baltimore.
Keeler, the archbishop of Baltimore since 1989, submitted his resignation to the Vatican after turning 75 last month, as required by canon law. He awaits Pope Benedict XVI?s decision on whether to accept his resignation. Archbishops are not allowed to serve after the age of 80.
Connie Frederick, of nearby St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Hampton, coincidentally turns 80 Easter Sunday and made a special trip to share her faith with Keeler.
“It?s very much an honor to share the Good Friday with him,” Frederick said. “He?s a wonderful man.”
More than 900 worshippers attended the traditional 3 p.m. service commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus more than 2,000 years ago.
Following a reading of the Passion ? the Gospel account of the hours before Jesus? death ? and a homily by the Rev. Robert Armstrong, Keeler read the final prayer of intercession before a symbolic cross was carried to the altar for veneration.
“Hear our prayers, Lord,that those in trouble may have the joy of receiving your help in the hour of their need,” Keeler prayed.
On Saturday, Keeler will celebrate an Easter vigil Mass at 8 p.m. at the 44-year-old Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, and on Sunday he will lead the 11 a.m. Mass.
The Rev. Evod Shao of St. Edward Roman Catholic Church in Baltimore said the archdiocese will miss the cardinal?s warmth and humility.
“He extends a hand and has a personal relationship with the city,” Shao said.
Keeler said he is in good health, but whether he remains archbishop of Baltimore is out of his hands.
“It?s simply up to my superiors. They will decide when I should step down,” Keeler told The Examiner last week. “In that decision, I will find out what is God?s will for me.”
