Joseph Edward Kurtz

Joseph Edward Kurtz (born August 18, 1946) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville in Kentucky from 2007 to 2022. He previously served as the bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville in Tennessee from 1999 to 2007. Kurtz was president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 2013 to 2016.

Biography

Early life Joseph Kurtz was born on August 18, 1946, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, to George and Stella (née Zmijewski) Kurtz. He is of Polish descent. One of five children (Rose Marie, Theresa, George, and Patricia), he entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia in 1964. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and a Master of Divinity degree from that school.

Priesthood Kurtz was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Allentown by Bishop Joseph McShea on March 18, 1972. Kurtz completed his post-graduate work at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania, earning a Master of Social Work degree.

During his priestly ministry, Kurtz served as high school teacher, college lecturer, administrator, and pastor in Catasauqua and Bethlehem, both in Pennsylvania. The Vatican elevated Kurtz to the rank of Monsignor in 1986. In November 2013, Kurtz was elected USCCB president. In February 2014, the Vatican named Kurtz as a member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. In November 2014, he was elected as a delegate to the 2015 Synod of Bishops on the Family, pending Vatican approval.

In July 2019, Kurtz underwent treatment for urothelial cancer, which required a three-month medical leave of absence from the archdiocese.

Retirement On February 8, 2022, Pope Francis accepted Kurtz's letter of resignation as archbishop of Louisville

Doctrinal positions

Kurtz is generally seen as a conservative and a firm follower of Vatican directives on doctrine and liturgy. The Rev. Thomas J. Reese indicates that Kurtz is a "smiling conservative" like Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, who is "very gracious but still holds the same positions" as a cleric like Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, who has openly criticized Catholic politicians who support abortion rights for women.