Kevin Farrell

Farrell was born on 2 September 1947, in Dublin, Ireland.{{cite news|work=The Dallas Morning News|title=Bishop Kevin Farrell has whirlwind first year as Dallas' Catholic Diocese leader|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/051808dnmetfarrell.3924190.html|last=Hodges|first=Sam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100629033908/http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/051808dnmetfarrell.3924190.html|archive-date=June 29, 2010}} He is the second of four sons. His older brother is Brian Farrell, who was appointed secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the Roman Curia in 2002.

He entered the novitiate of the Legionaries of Christ in Ireland in 1966. He then studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he earned a Master of Philosophy degree and Licentiate in Theology. He also attended the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, receiving a Master of Theology degree in dogmatic theology (1976) and a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in pastoral theology (1977).{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcatholicdirectory.com/special-feature-article/kevin-joseph-farrells-biography.html|title=Bio|website=www.officialcatholicdirectory.com|access-date=November 2, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104021217/http://www.officialcatholicdirectory.com/special-feature-article/kevin-joseph-farrells-biography.html|url-status=live}} He also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.{{Cite web |title=Appointed Prefect of the New Dicastery for Laity, the Family and Life |url=http://www.laici.va/content/laici/en/media/notizie/congratulazioni_farrell.html |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Pontifical Council for the Laity |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125045100/http://www.laici.va/content/laici/en/media/notizie/congratulazioni_farrell.html |url-status=live }} Notre Dame also granted Farrell an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Denis |date=March 30, 2017 |title=Seven to receive Notre Dame honorary degrees |url=https://news.nd.edu/news/seven-to-receive-notre-dame-honorary-degrees/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Notre Dame News |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517050826/https://news.nd.edu/news/seven-to-receive-notre-dame-honorary-degrees/ |url-status=live }}

Farrell was ordained to the priesthood for the Legionaries of Christ by Cardinal Eduardo Pironio in Rome at Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica on 24 December 1978.{{Cite web |title=Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfarrellk.html |date=8 November 2023 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |publisher=David M. Cheney |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008043519/http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfarrellk.html |url-status=live }} After his ordination, Farrell served as a chaplain at the University of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, where he also conducted seminars in bioethics and social ethics.

In the early 1980s, Farrell left the Legionaries to be incardinated in the Archdiocese of Washington in the United States. In 1984, Farrell was assigned as an associate pastor at St. Peter's Parish in Olney, Maryland. He also served at St. Bartholomew Parish in Bethesda, Maryland, and at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Washington, D.C. In 1985, Farrell was appointed director of the archdiocesan Spanish Catholic Center.{{Cite web |title=The Short Biography of Bishop Kevin J. Farrell |url=https://www.chinese-catholic.org/index.php/en/grapevine/year-2007/97-114-06-2007/221-the-short-biography-of-bishop-kevin-j-Farrell |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Sacred Heart of Jesus Chinese Parish |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517050825/https://www.chinese-catholic.org/index.php/en/grapevine/year-2007/97-114-06-2007/221-the-short-biography-of-bishop-kevin-j-Farrell |url-status=live }}

Farrell became acting director of Catholic Charities in the archdiocese in 1988, and served as secretary for financial affairs from 1989 to 2001. The Vatican raised him to the rank of monsignor in 1995. In 2001, Farrell was named vicar general for the archdiocese and pastor of Annunciation Parish in Washington.

On 28 December 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Farrell as an auxiliary bishop of Washington (DC) with the titular see of Rusuccuru. He was consecrated on 11 February 2002, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. His co-consecrators were Cardinal James Hickey and Bishop Leonard Olivier.

Farrell served until 2007 as Washington's moderator of the curia and chief vicar general.

Farrell was appointed bishop of Dallas by Pope Benedict XVI on 6 March 2007, replacing Bishop Charles Grahmann. Farrell was installed on 1 May 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/dall0.htm|title=Diocese of Dallas, United States|date=October 18, 2008|publisher=GCatholic.org|access-date=May 18, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108073537/http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/dall0.htm|url-status=live}}

Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Farrell was a consultant to the Committee on Migration, which oversaw the Migration and Refugee Services department.{{cite web|title=Committee Membership|publisher=United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|url=http://www.usccb.org/mrs/committeemigration.shtml|access-date=November 18, 2008|archive-date=September 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928070338/http://www.usccb.org/mrs/committeemigration.shtml|url-status=live}}

Farrell was the 2009 chair of the USCCB Committee on National Collections. His brother Brian Farrell is the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Kevin Farrell commented on his brother in 2015: "I'm younger, but I became bishop first, 12 months earlier. And we still have a little sibling rivalry."{{cite news|last1=Gaetan|first1=Victor|title=The Bishops Farrell: An Answer to an Irish Mother's Prayers|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-bishops-farrell-an-answer-to-an-irish-mothers-prayers|access-date=June 10, 2017|work=National Catholic Register|date=March 26, 2015|archive-date=October 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122025/http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-bishops-farrell-an-answer-to-an-irish-mothers-prayers|url-status=live}}

On 17 August 2016, Pope Francis appointed Farrell prefect of the newly established Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in Rome.{{cite press release|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2016/08/17/0587/01317.html|title=Rinunce e nomine|publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=August 17, 2016|language=it|access-date=August 17, 2016|archive-date=August 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817133617/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2016/08/17/0587/01317.html|url-status=live}}

On 9 October 2016, Pope Francis announced he would raise Farrell to the rank of cardinal in a consistory on 19 November 2016.{{cite press release|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2016/10/09/0723/01609.html|publisher=Holy See Press Office|title=Annuncio di Concistoro per la creazione di nuovi Cardinali|date=October 9, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2018|language=it|archive-date=October 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009103407/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2016/10/09/0723/01609.html|url-status=live}} He was created a cardinal-deacon on that day and assigned to San Giuliano Martire Parish in Rome.{{cite press release|publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=November 19, 2016|access-date=May 18, 2018|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2016/11/19/161119b.html|title=Titular churches and diaconates of the new cardinals|archive-date=June 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611045342/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2016/11/19/161119b.html|url-status=live}} On 10 June 2017, Pope Francis named Farrell a member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See,{{cite press release|title=Resignations and Appointments|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/06/10/170610c.html|access-date=May 18, 2018|publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=June 10, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916170958/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/06/10/170610c.html|url-status=live}} and on 23 December 2017, a member of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State.{{cite press release|publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=December 23, 2017|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/12/23/171223a.html|access-date=May 18, 2018|title=Resignations and Appointments|archive-date=May 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530185126/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/12/23/171223a.html|url-status=live}} In July 2018, the University of Dallas named an administration building after Farrell, a former chancellor.{{Cite web |date=October 6, 2016 |title=University Names New Building Cardinal Farrell Hall |url=https://udallas.edu/news/2016/university-names-new-building-farrell-hall |access-date=July 29, 2018 |website=University of Dallas |language=en |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730021447/https://udallas.edu/news/2016/university-names-new-building-farrell-hall |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=University of Dallas Celebrates Completion of Cardinal Farrell Hall - Hill & Wilkinson |language=en-US |work=Hill & Wilkinson |url=http://www.hill-wilkinson.com/news/university-dallas-celebrates-completion-cardinal-farrell-hall |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730021508/http://www.hill-wilkinson.com/news/university-dallas-celebrates-completion-cardinal-farrell-hall |url-status=live }} On 14 February 2019, Pope Francis named Farrell as camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.{{cite press release|title=Resignations and Appointments|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/02/14/0129/00261.html#ca|access-date=February 14, 2019|publisher=Holy See Press Office|date=February 14, 2019|archive-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174753/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2019/02/14/0129/00261.html#ca|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Pope Francis names Cardinal Kevin Farrell camerlengo |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/40562/pope-francis-names-cardinal-kevin-farrell-camerlengo |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119174151/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/40562/pope-francis-names-cardinal-kevin-farrell-camerlengo |url-status=live }}

In June 2019, Farrell admitted receiving a $29,000 gift from Bishop Michael J. Bransfield to refurbish his Rome apartment. A 2018 apostolic visitation to the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia revealed that he had been using diocesan funds for these gifts and his own personal spending. Farrell returned the $29,000 to the diocese; Bransfield was removed from office in July 2019.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/vatican-cardinal-other-priests-to-return-cash-gifts-from-ousted-west-virginia-bishop-michael-bransfield/2019/06/07/6d546876-8940-11e9-98c1-e945ae5db8fb_story.html |title=Boburg, Sean et al., "Vatican cardinal, other priests to return cash gifts from ousted West Virginia bishop Michael Bransfield", The Washington Post, June 7, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125233041/https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/vatican-cardinal-other-priests-to-return-cash-gifts-from-ousted-west-virginia-bishop-michael-bransfield/2019/06/07/6d546876-8940-11e9-98c1-e945ae5db8fb_story.html |url-status=live }}

On 20 April 2020, Farrell persuaded Pope Francis to postpone both the 2021 World Meeting of Families and 2022 World Youth Day to June 2022 and August 2023 respectively due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Declaration of the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni |url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/04/20/200420b.html |website=The Vatican |access-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609233312/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/04/20/200420b.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope-events/pope-postpones-two-mega-events-by-a-year-because-of-coronavirus-idUSKBN2222NY|title=Pope postpones two mega-events by a year because of coronavirus|newspaper=Reuters|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=May 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517082421/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pope-events/pope-postpones-two-mega-events-by-a-year-because-of-coronavirus-idUSKBN2222NY|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/04/pope-postpones-world-meeting-of-families-world-youth-day/|title=Pope postpones World Meeting of Families, World Youth Day|date=April 20, 2020|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=December 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210153306/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/04/pope-postpones-world-meeting-of-families-world-youth-day|url-status=live}}

On 29 September 2020, Pope Francis appointed Farrell as president of the Commission for Confidential Matters, a new office in the Roman Curia.{{Cite web|title=Resignations and Appointments|url=http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/10/05/201005c.html|access-date=November 10, 2020|website=press.vatican.va|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011062904/http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/10/05/201005c.html|url-status=live}} According to the church's apostolic constitution, Praedicate Evangelium, the commission is responsible "1. to authorize any legal, economic or financial act that for the greater good of the Church or of persons must be kept confidential and removed from the examination and supervision of the competent entities; 2. to monitor contracts of the Holy See which by law demand confidentiality and to exercise vigilance over them."{{Cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/20220319-costituzione-ap-praedicate-evangelium.html#Commission_for_Confidential_Matters |title="Praedicate Evangelium" on the Roman Curia and its service to the Church and to the World (Commission for Confidential Matters, Art. 225)) |date=2022-03-19 |publisher=Vatican |access-date=2023-12-12 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706233425/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/20220319-costituzione-ap-praedicate-evangelium.html#Commission_for_Confidential_Matters |url-status=live }}

On 7 June 2022, Pope Francis appointed Farrell as chair of the Pontifical Committee for Investments.{{Cite press release |title=Resignations and Appointments, 07.06.2022 |url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/06/07/220607b.html |date=2022-06-07 |publisher=Holy See Press Office |access-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212061833/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2022/06/07/220607b.html |url-status=live }} According to Praedicate Evangelium, the committee is responsible for "guaranteeing the ethical nature of the Holy See’s equity investments in accordance with the Church’s social doctrine and, at the same time, monitoring their profitability, propriety, and degree of risk.{{Cite web |url=https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/20220319-costituzione-ap-praedicate-evangelium.html#Committee_for_Investments |title="Praedicate Evangelium" on the Roman Curia and its service to the Church and to the World (Committee for Investments, Art. 227) |date=2022-03-19 |publisher=Vatican |access-date=2023-12-12 |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706233425/https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_constitutions/documents/20220319-costituzione-ap-praedicate-evangelium.html#Committee_for_Investments |url-status=live }}

On 1 January 2024, Farrell was appointed as President of the Supreme Court of Vatican City.Ed. Condon, [https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/pope-francis-stacks-the-vatican-supreme Pope Francis stacks the Vatican 'supreme court' — but why?], The Pillar (June 5, 2023).

On 20 May 2024, Pope Francis appointed Farrell as special envoy to the LIII International Eucharistic Congress, held from 8 to 15 September in Quito, Ecuador.{{cite web|url=https://www.aciprensa.com/noticias/104526/vaticano-papa-francisco-nombra-al-cardenal-farrell-su-enviado-congreso-eucaristico-de-quito-2024|title=El Papa Francisco nombra un enviado especial para el Congreso Eucarístico Internacional Quito 2024|publisher=Aciprensa.com|language=ES|date=May 20, 2024|access-date=May 20, 2024}} In November, Francis appointed Farrell as sole director for the Holy See's pension fund, covering the Roman curia and former Vatican City employees.{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Francis names Cardinal Farrell as Vatican 'pension czar'|url= https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/francis-names-cardinal-farrell-as|accessdate=November 25, 2024 |work=The Pillar |date=November 22, 2024}}

On 21 April 2025, Farrell announced the death of Pope Francis in a video statement on the Vatican's TV channel.{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/national/25104077.irish-born-cardinal-announces-pope-franciss-death/|title=Irish-born cardinal announces Pope Francis's death|work=The Herald|date=21 April 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}} The Vatican announced that Farrell would preside over the rite of ascertainment of death for Francis, to take place on the same evening.{{cite news|url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-ascertainment-death-cardinal-kevin-farrell.html|title=Cardinal Farrell to preside at rite of ascertainment of Pope Francis' death|work=Vatican News|date=21 April 2025|access-date=21 April 2025}} He served as the acting sovereign of Vatican City between the death of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025 and the election of Pope Leo XIV on 8 May 2025.{{cite web|title=Irish Cardinal Kevin Farrell's vital role in Pope Francis' funeral|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/national/irish-cardinal-kevin-farrells-vital-role-in-pope-francis-funeral/ar-AA1DFa4z|author=Magliocco, Sarah|date=26 April 2025|publisher=MSN|accessdate=2025-04-29}}

{{Main|Theodore McCarrick}}

After McCarrick was laicized in 2018 for credible allegations of sexual abuse against a minor, further reports of accusations and legal settlements emerged, dating back years. These revelations led to public questions about whether bishops and clerics closely associated with McCarrick, including Farrell, had been aware of these accusations and settlements.

McCarrick had asked the Vatican to appoint Farrell as auxiliary bishop in Washington. Over the next six years, Farrell served as vicar general there. During this time, he shared a four-bedroom apartment with McCarrick and two priest secretaries.{{Cite web |last=Conconi |first=Chuck |date=October 2004 |title=The Man in the Red Hat |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2004/10/01/the-man-in-the-red-hat/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=The Washingtonian |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731060934/https://www.washingtonian.com/2004/10/01/the-man-in-the-red-hat/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=DOUGHERTY |first=MICHAEL BRENDAN |date=July 26, 2018 |title=Catholic Bishops Beg for a Clear Policy against Evil |language=en-US |work=National Review |url=https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/07/catholic-bishops-mishandle-sexual-abuse-allegations-against-cardinal-mccarrick/ |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215174421/https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/07/catholic-bishops-mishandle-sexual-abuse-allegations-against-cardinal-mccarrick/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Dreher |first=Rod |date=July 23, 2018 |title=What Did The Cardinals Know? |language=en-us |work=The American Conservative |url=http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/cardinals-mccarrick-tobin-omalley-farrell-sex-abuse/comment-page-1/ |access-date=July 29, 2018 |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730021538/http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/cardinals-mccarrick-tobin-omalley-farrell-sex-abuse/comment-page-1/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/mccarrick-the-bishops-and-unanswered-questions|title=McCarrick, the Bishops and Unanswered Questions|work=National Catholic Register|access-date=July 29, 2018|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331085500/http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/mccarrick-the-bishops-and-unanswered-questions|url-status=live}}

According to Farrell's website when he was bishop of Dallas, the lion rampant on his coat of arms "honors" McCarrick and the yellow and red coloring at the top right of his coat of arms is also derived from that of McCarrick.{{Cite web|url=https://bishopkevinfarrell.org/about/|title=About the Bishop|access-date=February 3, 2022|website=Bishop Kevin Farrell|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203161429/https://bishopkevinfarrell.org/about/|archive-date=February 3, 2022}}

Many newspapers and columnists have questioned whether Farrell and the other bishops who served under McCarrick were aware of the molestation and abuse and decided to do nothing about it.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ncregister.com/news/mccarrick-the-bishops-and-unanswered-questions|title=McCarrick, the Bishops and Unanswered Questions|website=NCR|date=24 July 2018 |language=en|access-date=August 11, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/cardinals-mccarrick-tobin-omalley-farrell-sex-abuse/|title=What Did The Cardinals Know?|website=The American Conservative|date=23 July 2018 |language=en|access-date=August 11, 2021}} Journalist Michael Sean Winters termed McCarrick as Farrell's "mentor in the episcopacy".{{cite web |last1=Winters |first1=Michael Sean |title=Bishop Farrell heads to Rome: What it means |url=https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/bishop-farrell-heads-rome-what-it-means |website=National Catholic Reporter |date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2019 |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517050841/https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/bishop-farrell-heads-rome-what-it-means |url-status=live }}

In September 2015, the Vatican announced that the World Meeting of Families (WMOF) would be held in Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, in 2018.{{Cite web |last=O'Shea |first=James |date=September 28, 2015 |title=Pope Francis for Ireland in 2018 as Dublin hosts World Family Meeting |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/news/pope-francis-for-ireland-in-2018-as-dublin-hosts-world-family-meeting |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Irish Central |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605095627/https://www.irishcentral.com/news/pope-francis-for-ireland-in-2018-as-dublin-hosts-world-family-meeting |url-status=live }} In August 2016, Francis appointed Farrell as head of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. As a result, Farrell took charge of the 2018 WMOF. Farrell said that Francis' visit to Ireland would be "inspirational" and "counter negativity" towards the Irish church.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/papal-visit-to-ireland-will-inspire-us-and-turn-around-negativity-towards-church-35320394.html|title='Papal visit to Ireland will inspire us and turn around negativity towards Church'|date=December 26, 2016|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419083507/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/papal-visit-to-ireland-will-inspire-us-and-turn-around-negativity-towards-church-35320394.html|url-status=live}} On 18 August 2018, former Irish President Mary McAleese, a critic of the WMOF, said that meeting organizers had not invited her or her family to any of the WMOF events, saying:

{{Blockquote|It's always been essentially a right wing rally... and it was designed for that purpose, to rally people to get them motivated to fight against the tide of same sex marriage, rights for gays, abortion rights, contraceptive rights."{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mary-mcaleese-slams-world-meeting-of-families-as-right-wing-rally-to-fight-against-lgbt-and-womens-rights-37228707.html|title=Mary McAleese slams World Meeting of Families as 'right wing rally' to fight against LGBT and women's rights|date=August 18, 2018|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=November 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122215122/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mary-mcaleese-slams-world-meeting-of-families-as-right-wing-rally-to-fight-against-lgbt-and-womens-rights-37228707.html|url-status=live}}}}

On 16 August 2018, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, scheduled to lead a "pioneering session on child safeguarding", withdrew from the WMOF.{{Cite web |last=MacDonald |first=Sarah |date=August 16, 2018 |title=Prominent Cardinal cancels attendance at World Meeting of Families |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pope-francis-in-ireland/prominent-cardinal-cancels-attendance-at-world-meeting-of-families-37220919.html |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Irish Independent |archive-date=August 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819010830/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/pope-francis-in-ireland/prominent-cardinal-cancels-attendance-at-world-meeting-of-families-37220919.html |url-status=live }} On 18 August Cardinal Donald Wuerl, due to address the conference, also pulled out.{{Cite web |last=O'Callaghan |first=Gavin |date=August 19, 2018 |title=Cardinal cancels Dublin visit days after US abuse report |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/cardinal-pulls-out-world-meeting-15048044 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Dublin Live |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517050840/https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/cardinal-pulls-out-world-meeting-15048044 |url-status=live }} Although organizers claimed to have sold over 500,000 tickets to WMOF, the Office of Public Works in Ireland confirmed that the attendance was only 152,000.{{Cite news |title=OPW reveals final headcount for papal Mass in Phoenix Park |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/opw-reveals-final-headcount-for-papal-mass-in-phoenix-park-1.3634424?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fireland%2Firish-news%2Fopw-reveals-final-headcount-for-papal-mass-in-phoenix-park-1.3634424%3C%3C%2Fref |access-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125045024/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/opw-reveals-final-headcount-for-papal-mass-in-phoenix-park-1.3634424 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Oisín |date=July 9, 2018 |title=All 500,000 tickets now booked out for WMOF Papal Mass in Phoenix Park |url=https://catholicnews.ie/all-500000-tickets-now-booked-out-for-wmof-papal-mass-in-phoenix-park/ |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=Catholic News |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003233525/https://catholicnews.ie/all-500000-tickets-now-booked-out-for-wmof-papal-mass-in-phoenix-park/ |url-status=live }}

In February 2018, Farrell banned former Irish president Mary McAleese, a supporter of women's ordination and same-sex marriage, from speaking at a Vatican conference on Women in the Catholic Church.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0202/937865-mcaleese-vatican-conference/|title=Vatican blocks McAleese from speaking at conference|website=RTÉ.ie|date=February 2, 2018|access-date=January 25, 2024|archive-date=February 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204000028/https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0202/937865-mcaleese-vatican-conference/|url-status=live}} McAleese sought an explanation for her exclusion from Francis through a canon law process, but received no response.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

On 18 March 2021, Farrell defended a ban by Francis on the blessing of same-sex unions by priests. Farrell stated that a priestly blessing was a sacramental action related to marriage, which could only be between a man and a woman.{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2021 |title=Vatican cardinals defend gay union blessing ban amid dissent |url=https://apnews.com/article/vatican-cardinals-defend-gay-union-blessing-ban-cc5f22a1643363d1a574555eed36f3e5 |access-date=May 2, 2022 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=May 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502174256/https://apnews.com/article/vatican-cardinals-defend-gay-union-blessing-ban-cc5f22a1643363d1a574555eed36f3e5 |url-status=live }}

Farrell is a supporter of gun control initiatives and opposes "deference to the gun lobby" by the United States Congress.{{cite news|title=Horror in Las Vegas polarises the world of religion|url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2017/10/guns-and-god|newspaper=The Economist|date=October 3, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004001630/https://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2017/10/guns-and-god|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{commons category-inline}}
• {{cite web|date=October 24, 2017|title=Farrell Card. Kevin Joseph|publisher=Holy See Press Office|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_farrell_k.html|url-status=live|archive-date=November 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120085147/https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_farrell_k.html}}
• {{cite news|last1=O'Connell|first1=Gerard|title=Pope appoints Bishop Farrell of Dallas, Texas, to Head new Vatican Department for Laity, Family and Life|url=http://www.lastampa.it/2016/08/17/vaticaninsider/eng/the-vatican/pope-appoints-bishop-farrell-of-dallas-texas-to-head-new-vatican-department-for-laity-family-and-life-6dULdBCsjNj9tp1AMX09jI/pagina.html|access-date=October 24, 2017|work=La Stampa|date=August 17, 2016}}
• [http://www.cathdal.org/ Diocese of Dallas official website]
• [https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bfarrellk.html Kevin Joseph Cardinal Farrell] Catholic-Hierarchy.org

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{{s-ttl|title=Titular Bishop of Rusuccuru|years=28 December 2001 – 6 March 2007}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Dallas|years=6 March 2007 – 15 August 2016}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life|years=15 August 2016 –}}

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{{s-bef|before=Karl Josef Becker}}

{{s-ttl|title=Cardinal-Deacon of San Giuliano Martire|years=19 November 2016 –}}

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{{s-bef|before=Jean-Louis Tauran}}

{{s-ttl|title=Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church|years=14 February 2019 –}}

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{{s-ttl|title=President of the Court of Cassation of Vatican City|years=1 January 2024 –}}

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