Chicago Archdiocese to host American cardinals

America’s Catholic cardinals will gather in Chicago April 27, to raise money for college scholarships at the 23rd American Cardinals Dinner, held at the Hilton Chicago Hotel.

Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, and John Garvey, president of The Catholic University of America, will co-host the dinner. All proceeds will benefit Catholic University scholarship funds.

Prior to the dinner, Cardinal George will serve as the principal celebrant and homilist at a 3:45 p.m. Mass at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior streets, Chicago. Visiting cardinals, bishops, and clergy will concelebrate the Mass, which will be open to the public.

“The Archdiocese of Chicago is honored to host the Cardinals Dinner during this 125th anniversary year in the history of Catholic University,” says Cardinal George. “It’s a joy to host the cardinals and to honor the University’s significant contribution to the Church by helping to raise scholarship funding for deserving students.”

The dinner is expected to feature the five cardinals who currently serve as archbishops of U.S. dioceses and as members of the CUA board of trustees. Also expected to attend are two retired cardinals and Most Rev. Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.

Each year a different diocese or archdiocese hosts the black-tie event; this is the third time the dinner has been held in Chicago (1992 and 2000.

Since its inauguration, the annual event has raised more than $26 million to support scholarships for Catholic University students.