CHICAGO (August 20, 2004) - The Most Rev. Raymond E. Goedert, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, has agreed to temporarily serve as Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago, effective August 20. The announcement was made today by Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago.

Bishop Goedert, who served as Vicar General from 1995 until his retirement in 2003, will once again assume the position due to the death of the Archdiocesan Vicar General Bishop Edwin Conway, who died August 9.

“I thank Bishop Goedert for graciously agreeing to come out of retirement to serve in this key position,” said Cardinal George. “His familiarity with the structure of the Archdiocese and with the position itself will enable the Archdiocese to move forward in these next months.”

A native of Oak Park, IL, Bishop Goedert was ordained a priest in 1952 and was ordained a bishop in 1991. During his 52 years as a priest, he served in many significant roles for the Archdiocese. A canon lawyer, he once worked as Judge of the Tribunal for the Archdiocese and was also president of the Canon Law Society of America.