High School Boards and Bishop David Zubik Approve Name Change to North Catholic High School

The board of directors of Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School and the board of Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc. (CHSDOP) have accepted the request of Cardinal Donald Wuerl to remove his name from the high school. Bishop David Zubik has accepted these recommendations and is announcing today the school name is now - North Catholic High School.

In his letter from August 16, 2018, Cardinal Wuerl, the former bishop of Pittsburgh and current archbishop of Washington, DC, said that he was acting in the interest of the students, faculty and families of the school.

“In light of the circumstances today and lest we in any way detract from the purpose of Catholic education...I respectfully ask you to remove my name from it. In this way, there should be no distraction from the great success of the school and, most importantly, the reason for the school -- the students,” Cardinal Wuerl wrote.

The board of Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic High School met on August 17th and recommended the approval of Cardinal Wuerl's request. In accordance with procedures for addressing issues related to the diocesan high schools, that recommendation was also approved by the CHSDOP board on August 20th.

Bishop Zubik expressed his thanks to both boards, noting that as they offered their recommendation, they had also "acknowledged the contributions that Cardinal Wuerl has made to Catholic education in the Diocese of Pittsburgh." Bishop Zubik said, “The school was named in honor of Cardinal Wuerl in recognition of his efforts to preserve and expand Catholic education opportunities for the children of Pittsburgh—regardless of religion and regardless of need. At a time of great economic upheaval for the people of Pittsburgh and financial stress for our diocese, he made education a priority. As bishop of Pittsburgh he raised tens of millions of dollars for tuition aid. The Bishop’s Education Fund and the Extra Mile Foundation has provided over $32 million in scholarships to save schools that serve some of the most vulnerable communities of our city and whose success continues to be an example for the nation and a source of pride and hope for Pittsburgh.”

Bishop Zubik said he made his decision in the best interest of the high school. “My concern is first, foremost and always for the students, that nothing overshadows their Catholic education,” Bishop Zubik said.

Contact: Rev. Nicholas S. Vaskov (412) 295-8876