Archbishop Kurtz says surgery was succesful

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, who had surgery to remove the prostate and bladder Nov. 11, provided an update on his condition Nov. 12.

He wrote in a statement to his colleagues:

“I am so grateful for all of the prayers during the cancer treatment of the last months and the surgery I had yesterday. The surgery took seven hours, but it was successful. I am up and walking now and hope to recover fully. My prayers are with all of you.”

Archbishop Kurtz, 73, was diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder and prostate cancer earlier this year and, prior to surgery, had chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments in North Carolina. The surgery, performed at the Duke Cancer Institute, was a scheduled part of the treatment plan.

The archbishop has repeatedly offered his thanks for prayers throughout his treatment. During a visit home in late October, he noted, “Sickness is perhaps the clearest reminder for us to pray for each other and to give thanks to God for the gift of life.”

In addition to his supporters throughout the Archdiocese of Louisville, Archbishop Kurtz has drawn prayers from around the nation. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops included Archbishop Kurtz in morning prayers Nov. 11, the opening day of the bishops’ fall meeting in Baltimore.