NPC Headliners Luncheon: Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. – Cardinal Wilton Gregory

Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Seventh Archbishop of Washington and the first African-American Cardinal in the Catholic Church, will speak at a National Press Club in-person Headliners Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

Cardinal Gregory was elevated to the College of Cardinals in November 2020, becoming the highest-ranking African-American Catholic in history.  He serves as a close advisor to Pope Francis and is a leading voice in the Catholic Church for racial and social justice, immigration reform, and numerous life issues that challenge our unity in our shared humanity and ability to treat each other with dignity and respect.

In 2002, as president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), he led the church's response to its clergy sex abuse crisis, presiding over the adoption of the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People," a binding national policy of zero-tolerance in addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.  The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse.

Lunch will be served in the Club’s Ballroom at 12:30 p.m. Remarks begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session ending at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for National Press Club members and $45 for all other non-member tickets. For all ticketing-related questions, please email [email protected]. Tickets must be paid for at time of purchase.

To submit a question in advance for the speaker, put GREGORY in the subject line and email to [email protected]. The deadline for submitting questions in advance is 10 a.m. on the day of the luncheon.

Members, guests and visitors are required to show proof of vaccination at the entrance to the Club.  This can be a physical copy of your vaccination card, or a photo of it on your mobile device.  If you cannot show proof of vaccination, you must show a recent negative COVID-19 test (within 48 hours). If you would prefer to upload your vaccination record in advance of the event, you can do so at www.press.org/vaxpass.  To read more about Club safety measures, please visit https://www.press.org/safetyfirst.