Bishop Kevin J. Farrell: Uniting the Church, Building the Future

U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, will chair the Vatican’s new Investment Committee, the Vatican press office announced.

The Catholic Church professes marriage and family life to be a path to holiness — a daunting concept — but one that can start with a tiny step, Pope Francis said.

Families are called to bridge the gap between older and younger generations and defend life, said U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life.

Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell visited Dallas on May 17, 2023, to attend a benefit dinner where he was presented with the “Spirit of Francis Award” from Catholic Extension, given to those whose commitment of service or philanthropy to the poor are reminiscent of the award’s three namesakes: St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and Francis Clement Kelley, the founder of Catholic Extension.

Pope Francis has named U.S. Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life, to be the next president of the supreme court of Vatican City State.

On Aug. 17, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Kevin J. Farrell to lead a new Vatican office for Laity, Family and Life.
The appointment is a continuation of the Holy Father’s effort to bring more efficiency and transparency to the Vatican Curia and to highlight the importance of the family and the laity to the life of the church for the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

On Aug. 17, 2016, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the new Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life at the Vatican. When he departs for his new ministry in early October, he will leave behind, many Catholic faithful say, a diverse Diocese of Dallas that is more united, financially viable and charitable and poised for the future than the one he encountered when he first came here nearly 10 years ago.