Cardinal George Hospitalized After Fall

Apr 07, 06:08 PM

Current Headlines: By Margaret Ramirez, Chicago Tribune

Apr. 7--Cardinal Francis George was hospitalized Saturday after he apparently slipped and fell inside a Chicago church, according to archdiocese officials.

George, 70, was at St. Ferdinand Catholic Church on the Northwest Side Saturday morning to bless baskets of food in preparation for Easter meals when he slipped and fell on some water that was on the marble floor of the church, said Susan Burritt, spokeswoman for the archdiocese.

The Cardinal was rushed to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in a private car and was believed to be conscious after the fall.

Burritt was unsure of the extent of the injuries and said hospital officials were planning an afternoon press conference to discuss his condition.

George, leader of Chicago's Roman Catholic community and one of the most respected leaders of the U.S. Catholic Church, battled polio as a child and wears a leg brace on his right leg.

Last July, Cardinal George was diagnosed with bladder cancer and underwent surgery to remove his bladder, prostate and a portion of his right ureter. Though he lost 20 pounds after the surgery, the Cardinal appeared to have made a remarkable recovery and resumed an active schedule this year. He was expected to leave for Rome later this month for celebrations to mark 10 years as archbishop of Chicago.

Cardinal George was scheduled to celebrate Easter vigil on Saturday night at Holy Name Cathedral, where 52 adults will be initiated into the Catholic church. But Burritt was doubtful that the Cardinal would still be attending that mass. She was also unsure if he would celebrate Easter mass, scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday at Holy Name.

-----

Copyright (c) 2007, Chicago Tribune

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.