Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov 20, 2013 / 17:07 pm
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City says he feels privileged to have been named chairman of the board for Catholic Relief Services and was surprised when he was asked last week to take the role.
"I'm humbled, and I'm honored, to have this opportunity to serve the Church and our mission to the least of our brothers and sisters around the world," Archbishop Coakley told CNA Nov. 19.
"I've been on the board of CRS for over a year, going on two years, but I was very much surprised by the appointment."
The archbishop recalled how the new U.S. bishop's conference president, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., approached him as the annual meeting concluded in Baltimore last week "and asked if I would be willing to serve."