March 23, 2006

Diocese to mark one-year anniversary of death of Bishop Head

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec will celebrate the 12:05 p.m. Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral (50 Franklin Street, Buffalo) on Wednesday, March 29, the first anniversary of the death of Bishop Edward D. Head.

The 11th bishop of Buffalo and bishop emeritus at the time of his death, Bishop Head led the Diocese of Buffalo from 1973 to 1995. Following his retirement, he continued his ministry, presiding over confirmations and visiting the sick. His body lies in the crypt of St. Joseph Cathedral, directly behind the tabernacle. Flowers will be placed on Bishop Head's crypt.

Following the Mass, Bishop Kmiec will have a brief media availability to talk about his trip to the Vatican for the elevation of Archbishop William J. Levada to cardinal. Archbishop Levada was a seminary classmate of Bishop Kmiec’s in Rome and the two have been friends for more than 40 years. Archbishop Levada is head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the number three position in the Catholic Church.

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