• In April, he participated in the conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.
• In July, he published a watershed article on evolution in the New York Times.
• In August, he directed or appeared at numerous events associated with World Youth Day celebrations in Cologne, Germany.
• In October, he began to deliver a series of catechetical lectures on creation and evolution from his cathedral of St. Stephansdom which have been continued into 2006.
• In December, he published a substantial article in First Things responding to critiques from the scientific community about his article for the New York Times.
• In January, he has been active in the political and social initiatives that accompany Austria's six-month presidency of the European Union in 2006.

Read our complete summary and analysis of the Cardinal's service in 2005.

In addition, as a birthday celebration gift to our readers (and after several requests), we have created a CafePress store so you can show your support for the Cardinal in 2006!

Finally, on a more somber tone, today marks the 33rd anniversary of abortion being made legal in the United States. We should all take Cardinal Schonborn's words to heart:

"For every Christian, commitment to the defense of life, together with concrete help, is an obligation that springs from the Gospel."