Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the Archdiocese of Washington celebrated Catholic Mass at the Kay Spiritual Life Center Sunday morning.
This was the first time in about 30 years a cardinal spoke on campus. McCarrick had originally planned to come to AU last winter, but postponed his visit because of a snowstorm, according to Associate Catholic Chaplain Karin Thornton.
McCarrick makes a point to address all churches in the archdiocese, which encompasses the District and five counties in Maryland,. "It's a real honor," Thornton said.
McCarrick talked about serving God, vocations in the Catholic Church and his admiration for Pope John Paul II, Thornton said.
"[The Pope is] a real trooper and mentally he's still really sharp," Thornton said.
Thornton and University Chaplain Joe Eldridge said that McCarrick was down-to-earth.
"I haven't talked to anyone who wasn't impressed with him because he was so human," Thornton said.
"He came across as not a cardinal, but as a pastor," Eldridge said.
