MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Archbishop Thomas Collins Wears His Love of Toronto On His Sleeve

TORONTO (February 16, 2012) – Toronto Archbishop Thomas Collins let his Toronto pride 
shine through Thursday, sporting a personalized Toronto Maple Leafs jersey in St. Peter's 
Square at the Vatican.

Cardinal-delegate Collins is in Rome this week in preparation for his elevation, along with 22 
other bishops from around the world, into the College of Cardinals. His appointment as a new 
Cardinal was announced on January 6 and he will officially assume that post this Saturday, 
February 18 in a Consistory, led by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica.

"It's safe to say there are more than a few Toronto Maple Leafs fans in the pews of our parishes
in the Archdiocese of Toronto," said Collins from Rome on Thursday. "This is a fun way to let 
them, and all Catholics in our diocese, know that I am thinking of them at this time. I am truly 
proud and humbled to serve them all."

While there is a delegation of roughly 200 Canadians in Rome this week – including an official 
delegation of the federal government – to experience the Consistory and support Archbishop 
Collins, there will also be regional Masses of Thanksgiving celebrated in a number of parishes 
during the month following the Consistory. Information about times and locations can be found at 
www.archtoronto.org/cardinal

The following is a list of possible media opportunities and resources available for local media outlets 
through the week leading up to and following the Consistory of Cardinals on February 18.

• Friday, Feb. 17
  Media availability, Canadian Bishops in Rome available to comment on the Consistory 
  and Archbishop Collins' appointment – 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. EST
  - Day-long meetings of cardinals/cardinals-delegate (no media availability for Archbishop Collins)
  
  
• Saturday, Feb. 18
  LIVE SATELLITE LINK AVAILABLE – 4:30 a.m. – Pope Benedict XVI leads Consistory 
  Celebration for new Cardinals, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
  Media availability for Archbishop Collins – 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. EST
  
  
• Sunday, Feb. 19
  LIVE SATELLITE LINK AVAILABLE – 3:30 a.m. – Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Mass 
  with new Cardinals, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
  Media availability for Archbishop Collins – 9 – 10:30 a.m. EST
  
  
• Monday, Feb. 20
  Media availability for Archbishop Collins – 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. EST
  
  
• Throughout the week, media will also have access to the following:
  a) Members of the Canadian Delegation representing a variety of personal and professional 
  connections in Cardinal-designate Collins' life - family, friends, colleagues and clergy from Alberta, 
  Ontario and Quebec. 
  b) Members of the official Federal Government Delegation of approximately 20 individuals,
  including Senior Cabinet Ministers, MPs and a Senator, representing various regions of Canada.
  (For media opportunities/interview requests for the Government of Canada delegation, contact: 
  Stephen Lecce, Deputy Director Communications, Office of the Prime Minister 
  613-608-5102 - Stephen.Lecce@pmo.gc.ca)
  c) Church spokespeople, including Neil MacCarthy, Archdiocese of Toronto Director of PR & 
  Communications, and Rev. Thomas Rosica., C.E.O. of Salt & Light Catholic Television.

FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND RESOURCES: www.archtoronto.org/cardinal

FOR NEWS AND UPDATES, INCLUDING COVERAGE FROM ROME:
Blog - archdioceseoftoronto.blogspot.com
Twitter - twitter.com/neilmaccarthy (follow #tcredhat)
Facebook - facebook.com/archtoronto
Tumblr - archtoronto.tumblr.com

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Media Contact

Bill Steinburg
Communications Manager
Office of Public Relations and Communications
Archdiocese of Toronto
phone: 416-934-3400 ext. 558
cell phone: 416.708.9655
email: bills@archtoronto.org