Recognized for 42 Years of Service to Papal Society
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| Francis Cardinal George confers the medal of The Order of St. Gregory the Great on Mr. Richard Ritter at Holy Name Cathedral on October 15th. Photo by Brad Collins |
Mr. Richard Ritter, Vice-President of Catholic Church Extension Society, has been named "Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great," a papal distinction, for his role in assisting America's Catholic missions.
The distinction was conferred by Pope John Paul II before his death, and the recognition ceremony took place on October 15 during Mass at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, with Francis Cardinal George presiding. Founded in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI, the Order of St. Gregory the Great is conferred upon individuals who are distinguished in personal character and reputation and who have achieved notable accomplishments and provided conspicuous service to the Church.
Mr. Ritter serves as Vice President and General Secretary of the Catholic Church Extension Society, a Papal Society, where he has worked for the past 42 years. He has earned the respect and admiration of bishops in America's home mission dioceses for his dedication and caring relationships with many mission priests, religious, and laity.
"Richard Ritter is very deserving of this rare and distinguished recognition," said Catholic Extension President Bishop William R. Houck. "His contributions to the life and growth of our Catholic Faith in mission dioceses of the United States is well known and held in high esteem. He is a man of genuine faith who loves the Church he has served so well, allocating resources entrusted to our care by generous donors for building churches and chapels, subsidizing missionaries, and assisting with seminarian education, campus ministry, and religious education."
For 100 years, the Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society has supported Catholic missions in the U.S. by funding church construction, religious and seminarian education, outreach ministries, evangelization, salaries and operating expenses. Catholic Extension is the leading supporter of Catholic missions in the U.S. and has distributed more than $400 million over its history. For more information about Catholic Extension, please visit www.catholicextension.org or call 1-800-842-7804.