Cardinal DiNardo elected to head US bishops’ conference

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Houston has been elected president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), replacing Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, who had completed his three-year term.

The election of Cardinal DiNardo followed the usual pattern of voting at the USCCB. 

He had been vice-president for the past three years, and the episcopal conference has routinely elevated the vice-president to the top post.

Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles was elected as the new vice-president, and will be heavily favored to succeed Cardinal DiNardo in three years. 

Archbishop Gomez is the first Hispanic prelate to serve in that role.