Pope Benedict XVI Bestows Papal Honor Upon St. Louisan

St. Louis Review – December 28, 2009

Dr. David Mueckl awarded honor of Knight Commander with Star of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great

St. Louis, MO — His Excellency, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of Saint Louis, has announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, has bestowed upon Dr. David Mueckl, PhD, DBA, the Papal Honor of Knight Commander with Star of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great.

The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great was established on September 1, 1831, by Pope Gregory XVI. It is one of the five pontifical orders of knighthood in the Catholic Church. As part of the reform of the Papal Orders instituted by Saint Pius X, in 1905 the grades of the Order were modified by the addition of a Star for a higher category of Knights Commander as well as assigning to the Papal Knights a particular place in Papal processions and in ceremonies of the Church.

The order is bestowed on Catholic men and women (and in rare cases, non-Catholic men) in recognition of their service to the Church, unusual labors, support of the Holy See, and the good example set in their communities and country.

Dr. Mueckl, who has served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Archdiocese of St. Louis for two and a half years, has also served Holy Mother Church at the Vatican level as well. From 2003-2006, Dr. Mueckl served as Consultant to the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and from 2006-2009, Dr. Mueckl served as Consultant to the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.

Regarding the honor, Archbishop Robert J. Carlson stated, “Dr. David Mueckl is an excellent co-worker and has been very helpful to me during my time of transition in St. Louis. I know that he has been very generous in the time he spent assisting the Holy Father and I am delighted that he has been honored by this award. Obviously this is a tribute to his entire family.”

Well-known members of the Order of St. Gregory the Great include Bob Hope, John J. Raskob, and Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

Mueckl is among a handful of Americans to ever receive this honor, and the first in the history of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

“I wish to express my profound gratitude to Archbishop Robert Carlson, Bishop Robert Hermann, Archbishop Raymond Burke, Bishop Robert Shaheen, and Cardinal Justin Rigali, for their unconditional support as I carried out my responsibilities at the Vatican,” said Mueckl when asked about receiving the honor.

Mueckl continued, “I have been truly honored to serve the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, the Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in addition to the unique honor of serving the Holy See.

In total humility, I express my gratitude to His Holiness for this high honor and I continue to pledge to the Pontiff my loyalty, esteem, and prayers.”

Dr. Mueckl’s installation into the Order will take place in St. Louis at a date as yet to be determined.