| Catalogs | Home | Search |
February 18, 2012 (IV)
(63) 1. Fernando Filoni, titular archbishop of Volturno, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
(64) 2. Manuel Monteiro de Castro, titular archbishop of Benevento, penitentiary major.
(65) 3. Santos Abril y Castelló, archpriest of the papal Liberian basilica and vice camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
(66) 4. Antonio Maria Vegliò, titular archbishop of Eclano, president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples.
(67) 5. Giuseppe Bertello, titular archbishop of Urbisaglia, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
(68) 6. Francesco Coccopalmerio, titular archbishop of Celiana, president of the Pontifical Council for the Legislative Texts.
(69) 7. João Braz de Aviz, archbishop emeritus of Brasília, Brazil, prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.
(70) 8. Edwin Frederick O'Brien, pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
(71) 9. Domenico Calcagno, archbishop-bishop emeritus of Savona-Noli, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See.
(72) 10. Giuseppe Versaldi, archbishop-bishop emeritus of Alessandria, Italy, president of the prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
(73) 11. George Alencherry, archbishop major of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro Malabars, India.
(74) 12. Thomas Christopher Collins, archbishop of Toronto, Canada.
(75) 13. Dominik Duka, O.P., archbishop of Prague, Czech Republic.
(76) 14. Willem Jacobus Eijk, archbishop of Utrecht, Holland.
(77) 15. Giuseppe Betori, archbishop of Florence, Italy.
(78) 16. Timothy Michael Dolan, archbishop of New York, United States of America.
(79) 17. Rainer Maria Woelki, archbishop of Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
(80) 18. John Tong Hon, bishop of Hong Kong, China.
(81) 19. Lucian Mureşan, archbishop major of Făgăras şi Alba Iulia of the Romanians, Romania.
(82) 20. Julien Ries, priest of the diocese of Namur and professor emeritus of religious history at the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.
(83) 21. Prosper Grech, O.S.A., professor emeritus of several Roman Universities and consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
(84) 22. Karl Josef Becker, S.J., professor emeritus of the Pontifical Gregorian University and for many years consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Birth. April 15, 1946, Manduria, diocese of Oria, Italy. Son of Salvatore Filoni, who served in a sector of the ministry of Finance, and Severina Baglivo; they were from Galatone (Lecce), a small city near Nardò, where Fernando spent his childhood until his entrance in the local minor seminary.
Education. Completed his ginnasiali studies at the Minor Seminary of Nardò; then, he attended the lyceum of the Regional Seminary Pio XI of Molfetta; and completed his philosophical and theological studies in the Major Seminary of Santa Maria della Quercia of Viterbo. After his priestly ordination, he went to study at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, where he first obtained a licentiate in dogmatic theology and later a doctorate in canon law; at the same time, he obtained a doctorate in philosophy at the State University La Sapienza, in Rome; and a diploma in science and technique of public opinion at the Libera Università Pro Deo, now Libera Università Internazionale degli Studi Sociali (LUISS), in Roma, with specialization in journalism. Besides his native Italian, he knows English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.
Priesthood. Ordained, July 3, 1970, in the Shrine of SS. Crocifisso, in Galatone, by Antonio Rosario Mennonna, bishop of Nardò. Incardinated in the diocese of Nardò. Further studies in Rome. From 1970 until 1978, he taught religion at the state lyceums Livona and Socrate in Roma; at the same time, he was vicar of the parish San Tito (now San Leonardo Murialdo) in Rome. In 1979, he was admitted to the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, the diplomatic school of the Holy See. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See on April 3, 1981. In May 1981, he was named attaché of the nunciature in Sri Lanka; and later, its secretary. Auditor and counselor of the nunciature in Iran, from 1983 to 1985. Worked in the Secretariat of State at the Vatican from 1985 to 1989. Counselor in the nunciature in Brazil from 1989 until 1992. Counselor in the nunciature in Philippines section of Hong Kong, from 1992 to 2001.
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Volturno and appointed nuncio in Jordan and Iraq, January 17, 2001. Consecrated, March 19, 2001, at the patriarchal Vatican basilica, by Pope John Paul II, assisted by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, and by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. His episcopal motto is Lumen gentium Christus. He remained in Baghdad during the last two years of the regime of Saddam Hussein, during the war, and for three more years. Named nuncio in Philippines on February 25, 2006. Named substitute for the General Affairs of the Church of the Secretariat of State, June 9, 2007. Named prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on May 10, 2011.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of Nostra Signora di Coromoto in S. Giovanni di Dio on that same day. Took possession of his deaconry on February 26, 2012. Named member of the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith, for Catholic Education, and for the Oriental Churches on April 21, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Named member of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialog on October 27, 2012. Named named member of the Pontifical Council for the Legislative Texts on November 24, 2012. On December 7, 2012 he was named special papal envoy to the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni, India, and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Indian Episcopal Conference (C.C.B.I.), programmed for February 9 to 11, 2013. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. On September 21, 2013, the pope confirmed him as prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. On September 28, 2013, the pope named him special papal envoy to the celebration of the Fourth American Missionary Congress (CAM 4) and the Ninth Latinamerican Missionary Congress (COMLA 9), programmed in Maracaibo, Venezuela, from November 26 to December 1, 2013. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, until the expiration of his term, on February 19, 2014. He was named member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on March 29, 2014. On May 17, 2014, he was named special papal envoy to the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the diocese of Funchal, archipelago of Madeira, Portugal, programmed for June 13-16, 2014. Named, on August 8, 2014, personal envoy of Pope Francis to Iraq to express the pontiff's spiritual closeness to the people who are suffering and to bring the solidarity of the Church. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On September 3, 2016, he was named special papal envoy to the consecration of the Cathedral of Karonga, Malawi, programmed for November 5, 2016. On June 16, 2018, the Pope named him special papal envoy to the celebration of the Fifth American Missionary Congress, programmed for Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, from July 9 to 14, 2018. On June 26, 2018, with Rescriptum ex Audentia Ss.mi, Pope Francis decided to co-opt him in the Order of Cardinal Bishops, equating him in all respects to the Cardinals who were given the title of a suburbicarian Church. On January 5, 2019, the Pope named him special papal envoy to the celebration of the Fourth National Eucharistic Congress in Taiwan, programmed for March 1, 2019 in the Diocese of Chiayiil. On December 8, 2019, the pope transferred him to the post of Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He will be in charge of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples until mid-January 2020. On February 1, 2020, the pope named him member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
Bibliography. Filoni, Fernando. La Chiesa in Iraq. Storia. sviluppo e missione, dagli inizi ai nostri giorni. Vatican City : Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2015; Filoni, Fernando. La Chiesa nella terra d'Abramo. Dalla diocesi di Babilonia dei latini alla nunziatura apostolica in Iraq. Biblioteca Universitaria Rizzoli, 2008. (Saggi). Filoni, Fernando. Dalla diocesi di Babilonia dei Latini e Delegazione Apostolica di Mesopotamia, Kurdistan e Armenia Minore alla Nunziatura apostolica in Iraq.. Baghdad (IRQ) : Stella d'Oriente editrice, 2006.
Webgraphy.
Photograph and
biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede;
photograph and biography,
in English, Holy See Press Office;
his arms, Araldica Vaticana;
Birth. March 29, 1938, Santa Eufémia de Prazins, Guimarães, Portugal.
Education. Studied humanities, philosophy and theology in the Archdiocesan Seminaries of Braga; then, in 1961, after having received the priestly ordination, he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, where he earned a doctorate in canon law in June 1967; at the same time, he obtained a diploma in diplomacy from the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Rome; and in February 1969, he became advocate in the Sacred Roman Rota.
Priesthood. Ordained, July 9, 1961, at the cathedral of Braga, by António Bento Júnior, archbishop of Braga. Further studies in Rome. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1967. Chaplain of His Holiness, July 1, 1968. Secretary of the nunciatures to Panamá from 1967 to 1969. Secretary of the nunciature to Guatemala from 1969 until 1972, Secretary of the apostolic delegations in Việt Nam and Cambodia from 1972 until 1975. Secretary of the nunciature to Australia from 1975 to 1978. Secretary of the nunciature to México from 1978 to June 1981. Worked in the Vatican Secretariat of State from June to November 1981. Prelate of honor of His Holiness, July 1, 1981. Counselor of the nunciature to Belgium from 1981 until 1985.
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Benevento and appointed pro-nuncio to Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia; and apostolic delegate in The Antilles, with residence in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, February 16, 1985. Consecrated, March 23, 1985, at the basilica of Samheiro, Braga, by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, secretary of State, assisted by Eurico Dias Nogueira, archbishop of Braga, and by Júlio Tavares Rebimbas, archbishop-bishop of Porto. His episcopal motto is Mane nobiscum Domine. In 1985 he was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Order of Infante D. Henrique, granted by Prime Minister Mário Soares of Portugal. Named pro-nuncio to Antigua and Barbuda, April 25, 1987. Named nuncio to El Salvador and Honduras, August 21, 1990. Resigned the nunciature to Honduras, April 12, 1991. In 1993 he received the Gold Medal of the City of Guimarães. Named nuncio to South Africa, Nambia and Swaziland, February 2, 1998. Named nuncio to Lesotho, March 7, 1998. Named nuncio to Spain and Andorra, March 1, 2000. From 1997, he was permanent observer of the Holy See at the World Tourism Organization. In 2003 he was decorated with the Grand Cross of the Military Order of Christ, granted by the minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal. In March 2006, he was extraordinary envoy in special mission to the inauguration of the president of the Republic of Portugal, Professor Doctor Aníbal Cavaco Silva. Named secretary of the Congregation for Bishops on July 3, 2009. Named secretary of the College of Cardinals on October 21, 2009. Named penitentiary major on January 5, 2012. He has also been decorated as commander of the Order of King Leopold, Belgium; as commander of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg; with the great cross of the Order "Maías Delgado", El Salvador; with the grand cross of the Order of "Isabel la Católica", Spain; with the grand cross of the Order of Malta "Pro Piis Meritis"; and as grand officer of the Order of "Stella della Solidarietà Italiana".
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Domenico di Guzman on that same day. Named member of the Congregations for the Causes of the Saints and for Bishops; and of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral of Migrants and Itinerants on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on April 22, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. On September 21, 2013, the pope accepted his resignation presented because of age limit from the post of penitentiary major. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on December 19, 2013. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on March 29, 2018. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Portuguese, Jornal O Conquistador; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; D. Manuel Monteiro de Castro comemorou bodas de ouro sacerdotais, in Portuguese, YouTube; Bodas de Prata Episcopais de D. Manuel Monteiro de Castro , in Portuguese, YouTube; Monteiro De Castro: The confessor of the Holy See, Vatican Insider, 02/15/2012.
Birth. September 21, 1935, Alfambra, diocese of Teruel, Spain. Son of Joaquín Abril, a beekeeper, and Eduvigis Castelló. One of his brothers, Saúl, was a Jesuit missionary in India and died in Gujerat on December 13, 2020, at 89 years old.
Education. Studied at the Conciliar Seminary of Teruel; in 1961, he went to Rome to study and obtained a doctorate in social sciences at S. Tommaso d'Aquino University; and a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Priesthood. Ordained, March 19, 1960, in the cathedral of Pesaro, by Luigi Carlo Borromeo, bishop of Pesaro. Further studies in Rome, 1961-1967. He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1967. He worked in the nunciatures in Pakistan and in Turkey; and later, in the Secretariat of State. In the 1980s, he headed the Spanish language section of the Secretariat of State and was professor of Spanish to Pope John Paul II, whom he accompanied in several trips to Spanish speaking countries.
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Tamada and appointed nuncio to Bolivia, April 29, 1985. Consecrated, June 16, 1985, at the cathedral of Teruel, by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, secretary of State, assisted by Gabino Díaz Merchán, archbishop of Oviedo, and by Ramón Búa Otero, bishop of Tarazona and apostolic administrator of Teruel. His episcopal motto is Pro Ecclesia cum Petro. Named pro-nuncio to Cameroun, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, October 2, 1989. Named nuncio to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, February 24, 1996. Transferred to the nunciature in Argentina, March 4, 2000. In 2002, he received the highest decoration of Yugoslavia, the Order of the Star of Yugoslavia, first class. On April 9, 2003, he also became nuncio to Slovenia and to Bosnia e Hercegovina. In addition, on April 12, 2003, he was named nuncio to Macedonia. On January 22, 2011, he was named vice camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church. Named archpriest of the papal Liberian basilica, Rome, November 21, 2011. He received the Encomienda de primera clase y Placa of the Order of Isabel La Católica; the grand cross of Civil Merit of Germany; the grand cross of the Cóndor de los Andes of Bolivia; the grand cross of San Jorge of the Provincial Diputation of Teruel; and a street in his native town was named after him.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Ponziano on that same day. Named member of the Congregations for the Causes of the Saints; for the Evangelization of Peoples; and for Bishops on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on May 20, 2012. On July 28, 2012, the pope named him special papal envoy to the celebration of the 950th anniversary of the diocese of Sapë, Albania, which took place on September 29, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for Bishops on December 16, 2013. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on December 19, 2013. On January 15, 2014, he was named member, for the next quiquennium, of the Commission of Cardinals overseeing the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). On March 4, 2014, the members of the Cardinals' Commission overseeing the Institute for the Works of Religion (I.O.R.) nominated him their president. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on September 21, 2015. On December 28, 2016, the pope accepted his resignation from the post of archpriest and administrator of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Liberian). To succeed him, the pope named Cardinal Stanisław Ryłko, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On September 21, 2020, his mandate as president of the Cardinalial Commission of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) was renewed. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title.
Webgraphy. Biography, in English, Wikipedia; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Abril y Castelló: The globetrotting diplomat is now Vice Camerlengo, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Cardenal Abril y Castelló: 'San Pedro Poveda es un referente de misericordia' by Nieves San Martín, Zenit, Roma, 20 abril 2016; Los cardenales Parolin y Santos Abril no testificarán en el juicio Vatileaks by Rocío Lancho García, Zenit, Ciudad del Vaticano, 14 mayo 2016.
Birth. February 3, 1938, Macerata Feltria, Italy. He grew up in the diocese of Pesaro.
Education. Studied at the Pontifical Regional Seminary of Fano (liceali courses); obtained the diploma in maturità classica at Lyceum Mamiani of Pesaro, in 1957; went to Rome to study philosophy, theology and law at the Pontifical Lateran University, as student of the Major Roman Seminary, where he obtained a licentiate in philosophy and theology; and a doctorate in canon law in June 1966. Later, from 1966 until 1968, he studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Rome (diplomacy). Besides his native Italian, he speaks English, French and Spanish.
Priesthood. Ordained, March 18, 1962, at the cathedral of Pesaro, by Luigi Carlo Borromeo, bishop of Pesaro; incardinated in the diocese of Pesaro. Pastoral ministry in the parish of S. Maria di Loreto, in Pesaro. Further studies in Rome. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1968. Secretary at the nunciatures in Perú from 1968 until 1971; secretary at the nunciature in Philippines from 1971 until February 1975; and auditor at the nunciature in Sénégal from 1975 until May 1980. During four years, from 1980 until June 1984, he worked at the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church. Then, in 1984 he was named counselor at the nunciature in Great Britain.
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Eclano and appointed pro-nuncio in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, July 27, 1985. Consecrated, October 6, 1985, at the cathedral della Assunzione, Pesaro, by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, secretary of State, assisted by Cardinal Achille Silvestrini, prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches, and by Gaetano Michetti, bishop of Pesaro. His episcopal motto is Adiuva me Domine. Pro-Nuncio in Sénégal, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau, and apostolic delegate in Mauritania, October 21, 1989; he was also pro-nuncio in Mali from November 25, 1989. All the pro-nunciatures in which he was serving became nunciatures in December 1994. Nuncio in Kuwait from October 2, 1997 until December 13, 1999. Nuncio in Lebanon from October 2, 1997 until April 11, 2001. Apostolic delegate in the Arabian Peninsula from October 2, 1997. Named secretary of Congregation for the Oriental Churches, April 11, 2001. Named president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, February 28, 2009. In 2009, he organized the first European meeting of the pastoral care of the streets (users, street women, children, the homeless); the fourth World Congress of the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees; the meeting of the national directors of pastoral care for the circus and air workers; in 2010, the Second World Congress of pastoral pilgrimages and shrines; the continental meeting of Latin American migration; in 2011, the annual meeting of the regional coordinators of the apostolate of the sea, and the third World Congress of Pastoral Care for international students. He has intervened several times in the public debate in support of the rights of migrants, refugees, immigrants, displaced persons, or other persons disadvantaged because of their status in mobility. He has spoken out against piracy infesting the seas and has launched a campaign of solidarity with seafarers and their families affected by the tsunami in Japan. Promoted the update of the journal of the pontifical council "People on the Move"; and encouraged the creation of a web site of the council, launched in September 2011.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Cesareo in Palatio on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; for the Pontifical Council for the Laity; and of the Committee of Presidency of the Pontifical Council for the Family, April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on June 10, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. On June 1, 2013, he was named member of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". Ceased as president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants when it was merged with the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on January 1, 2017. On February 3, 2018, he lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Vegliò: Diplomat and defender of refugees, in Italian, Vatican Insider, 02/20/2012; Vegliò: dopo Lesbo l'Europa ascolti, gesti del Papa impressionano, Radio Vaticana, 2016-04-18; Il Cardinale Vegliò compie 80 anni, gli elettori scendono a quota 119 by Marco Mancini, ACI Stampa, Città del Vaticano, 03 febbraio, 2018 / 11:00 AM.
Birth. October 1, 1942, Foglizzo, archdiocese of Turin, Italy.
Education. Obtained a licentiate in pastoral theology and a doctorate in canon law; studied diplomacy at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Rome, from 1966.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 29, 1966, Ivrea, by Albino Mensa, bishop of Ivrea. Incardinated in the diocese of Ivrea. Further studies in Rome. Entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See, February 1, 1971. He worked in the pontifical diplomatic representations as attaché in the apostolic delegation in the Region of the Red Sea, 1971 to 1973, and at the pro-nunciature in Sudan, also 1971 to 1973; secretary at the pro-nunciature in Turkey, 1973 to 1976; secretary at the nunciature in Venezuela, 1976 to 1981; and auditor in the Office of the Organization of the United Nations in Geneva, 1981 to 1987. Chaplain of His Holiness, February 9, 1976. In 1987, he headed the delegation of observers of the Holy See to the Conference of Foreign Ministers of the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries in Pyongyang, North Korea; he was the first Catholic priest to be able to visit the small Catholic community of that country, isolated since the Korean War.
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Urbisaglia and named pro-nuncio in Ghana, Togo e Benin, October 17, 1987. Consecrated, November 28, 1987, at the parish church of Foglizzo, by Cardinal Agostino Casaroli, secretary of State, assisted by Albino Mensa, archbishop of Vercelli, and by Luigi Bettazzi, bishop of Ivrea. His episcopal motto is Narrabo Nomen Tuum. Named nuncio in Rwanda, January 12, 1991; he worked tirelessly for a settlement of the conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups and received from the Government of Rwanda a special recognition for the work of pacification that he carried out. In March 1995, he was named permanent Observer of Office of the United Nations and Specialized Institutions in Geneva, where he negotiated the ingress of the Holy See as permanent observer, in the World Trade Organization, becoming its first representative. In 2000, he guided the Vatican representation to the Tenth Conference of the United Nations on Commerce and Development (Unctad X), in Bangkok, Thailand. On December 27, 2000, he was named apostolic nuncio in México. On January 11, 2007, he was named apostolic nuncio in Italy and in the Republic of San Marino. On April 10, 2008, he was named knight of grand cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. On September 3, 2011, he was named president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and of the Governorate of Vatican City State. He assumed the offices on October 1, 2011.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of Ss. Vito, Modesto e Crescenzia on that same day. Named member of the Congregations for Bishops; for the Evangelization of the Peoples; and of the Pontifical Council Iustitia et Pax on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on June 17, 2012. Special papal envoy to the celebrations of the millennium of the foundation of the Sacred Hermitage of Camaldoli, Italy, which took place on June 19, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. On April 13, 2013, he was named by Pope Francis member of a group of cardinals to advise him in the government of the universal Church and to study a plan for revising the apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia, Pastor Bonus. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for Bishops on December 16, 2013. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On November 10, 2014, he was named member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. Participated in Fourteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 4 to 25, 2015, on the theme "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and the contemporary world". On December 3, 2016, he was named member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. On February 18, 2017, the pope named him special papal envoy to the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Ghana and the Holy See and the 60th anniversary of the Independence of that Republic, programmed in Accra on March 3-6, 2017. On May 20, 2017, the pope named him special papal envoy to the celebration of the bicentennial of the erection of Diocese of Cuneo, Italy, programmed for the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta on July 16, 2017. On October 15, 2020, he was confirmed as member of the Council of Cardinals. On September 8, 2021, he ceased as president of the Pontifical Commision for Vatican City State and of the Governatorate of Vatican City. He was succeeded by Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C., titular bishop of Villamagna di Proconsolare, until then secretary general of the Governatorate of Vatican City State. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title. On October 1, 2022, he turned eighty years old and lost the right to participate in the conclave. On March 6, 2023, he ceased as member of the Council of Cardinals.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; biography, in Italian, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Bertello: Bertone's loyal globetrotter , in English, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; El cardenal Giuseppe Bertello, enviado especial del Papa en Ghana, Revista Ecclesia, 25 febrero 2017; El cardenal Bertello ordena en Roma a 31 sacerdotes del Opus Dei, Zenit, Roma, 4 mayo 2017; Card. Bertello: Los jardines del Vaticano, jardines de María, by Sergio Mora, Zenit, Roma, 23 Septiembre 2017; “Motu proprio” del Santo Padre sull’approvazione della Nuova Legge sul Governo dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, Sala Stampa della santa Sede, 06.12.2018; Nota esplicativa della Presidenza del Governatorato sulla Nuova Legge sul Governo dello Stato della Città del Vaticano, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 06.12.2018; N.CDXXXIX-Ordinanza del Presidente della Pontificia Commissione dello Stato della Città del Vaticano in materia di emergenza sanitaria pubblica, 18 SETTEMBRE 2021; Cardenal ordena en Roma 37 nuevos sacerdotes Legionarios: 11 son mexicanos by Walter Sánchez Silva, ACI Prensa, 8 de mayo de 2022 - 6:01 PM; Il cardinale italiano Giuseppe Bertello compie 80 anni il 1° ottobre. I cardinali elettori saranno 129, Il Sismografo, venerdì 30 settembre 2022; Il Cardinale Bertello compie 80 anni, 40 nel servizio diplomatico della Santa Sede by Marco Mancini, ACI Stampa, Città del Vaticano, 01 ottobre, 2022 / 2:00 PM.
Birth. March 6, 1938, San Giuliano Milanese, archdiocese of Milan, Italy. Son of Alberto Coccopalmerio, from Scontrone, in Abruzzo, and Giuseppina Ceppi, from Sernio in Valtellina. He was baptized the following March 14.
Education. At the end of the academic year 1956-1967, he obtained the maturità classica at the state lyceum of Busto Arsizio (Varese); then, he studied at the Seminary of Milan, Vengono Inferiore, from 1957 to 1962; then, from 1962 to 1964, he studied at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, where he obtained a licentiate in theology in 1963; later, he was sent to Rome to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, obtaining a doctorate in canon law in 1968, under the guidance of Father Wilhelm Bertrams, S.J., with the dissertation La partecipazione degli acattolici al culto della Chiesa cattolica nella pratica e nella dottrina della Santa Sede dallinizio del secolo XVII ai nostri giorni; and in 1970, a diploma in moral theology at the Alphonsianum, Redemptorist Institute of Higher Studies; in 1976, he obtained a doctorate in jurisprudence at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, under the guidance of Professor Orio Giacchi. Besides his native Italian, he also speaks German.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 29, 1962, metropolitan cathedral basilica of S. Ambrogio, Milan, by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini, archbishop of Milan. Professor at the Minor Seminary of Masnago (Varese) from 1962 to 1963. Further studies in Rome. Successively, in the archdiocese of Milan he was adjunct at the Avvocatura Generale of the curia from 1966; and general advocate from 1980 until 1994. Professor of canon law at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy from 1966 until 1999. From 1981, he was guest professor at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical Gregorian University. From 1985 he was pro-vicar general of the archdiocese of Milan.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Celiana and appointed auxiliary of Milan, April 8, 1993. Consecrated, May 22, 1993, cathedral of Milan, by Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., archbishop of Milan, assisted by Attilio Nicora, bishop of Verona, and by Giovanni Giudici, titular bishop of Usula, auxiliary of Milan. His episcopal motto is Iustus ut palma florebit. He was episcopal vicar for Culture and Catholic Cultural Centers from 1993; president of the Diocesan Commission for Ecumenism and Dialog from 1988; episcopal vicar delegate for the following offices of the curia: Discipline of the Sacraments; Ecclesiastical Cultural Patrimony; Historical Archive from 1993; Regional Ecclesiastical Tribunal; archiepiscopal delegate to the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral from 1993. In the Italian Episcopal Conference, he was member of the Council for Juridical Affairs from 1993; and its president from 1999. From 1996, he was delegate of the Holy See for the Company of Saint Paul, a secular institute of pontifical right. Member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature from August 2000. Named president of the Pontifical Council for the Legislative Texts and promoted to the rank of archbishop on February 15, 2007. Under his presidency, took place the celebration of the twenty-five years of the promulgation of the Code of Canon Law (1983-2008) and the twentieth anniversary of the entry into force of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches (1990-2010). In 2008, he was named central consultant of the Union of Italian Catholic Jurists. He is founder, with the Jesuit Father Jean Beyer, of the journal Quaderni di Diritto Ecclesiale; and is the author of numerous scientific publications in which he mainly dealt with issues relating to the reflection on the identity of the law of the Church, the second book of the Code (in particular communion with Church and parish), communicatio in sacris and criminal law.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Giuseppe dei Falegnami on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature; and of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on April 26, 2012. On June 19, 2012, he was confirmed as president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts until the age of 75. Papal delegate to the 718th anniversary of the Celestine Pardon, which took place in L'Aquila, Italy, from August 23 to 29, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Named member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on December 22, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints on December 19, 2013. Named member of the special commission to review the matrimonial process in canon law with the goal of simplifying the procedure while maintaining the indissolubility of marriage, September 20, 2014. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". Named member of the College for the review of appeals to the Ordinary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on January 21, 2015. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on March 6, 2018. On April 7, 2018, the Pope accepted his resignation from the post of president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Text for reason of age limit. To succeed him the Pope named Filippo Iannone, O. Carm., archbishop-bishop emeritus of Sora-Cassino-Aquino-Pontecorvo, until then assistant secretary of that Pontifical Council. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title.
Bibliography. Coccopalmerio, Francesco. Il capitolo ottavo della Esortazione apostolica postsinodale «Amoris laetitia». Città del Vaticano : Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2017.
Webgraphy.
Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede;
photograph
and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office;
his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Coccopalmerio: A lawyer in service of the Gospel , in English, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Coccopalmerio: «Con il Papa la Chiesa non ricade in errori passati», Vatican Insider, 5/04/2014;
Il card. Coccopalmerio spiega l'8°capitolo di "Amoris Laetitia", audio, Radio Vaticana, 2017-02-14;
Birth. April 24, 1947, Mafra, diocese of Joinville, Brazil. Son of João Avelino de Aviz e Juliana Hacke de Aviz. The family had eight children. His last name is also listed as Braz de Aviz.
Education. Entered the Minor Seminary "São Pio X", Assis, São Paulo, directed by the Fathers of the Pontifical Institute of the Foreign Missions (PIME), as a seminarian of the diocese of Londrina, on April 21, 1958; when the diocese of Apucarana was established on November 28, 1964, he became a seminarian of the new diocese, in which territory his family resided; he then attended the Major Seminary "Rainha dos Apóstolos", Curitiba, where he studied philosophy; and then he attended the Faculty of Palmas; later, he was sent to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, from 1967 to 1972, where he obtained a master's degree in theology; years later, he returned to Rome to continue his studies at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, from 1989 to 1992, obtaining a doctorate in dogmatic theology. Due to his views in favor of the theology of liberation, he almost abandoned seminary and the Church itself because of the ideological excesses that emerged in the early years of the movement.
Priesthood. Ordained, November 26, 1972, cathedral of Apucarana, by Bishop Romeu Alberti of Apucarana. Incardinated in the diocese of Apucarana. Pastoral ministry in several parishes of Apucarana, 1972-1984 (1). Spiritual director of the Seminary of Ipiranga. Rector of the Major Seminary of Apucarana, 1984-1985. Rector of the Major Seminary of Londrina, 1986-1988. Further studies in Rome, 1989-1992. Pastor of the cathedral "Nossa Senhora de Lourdes", Apucarana; and professor of dogmatic theology at the Theological Seminary "Pablo VI", Londrina, 1992-1994. In the diocese of Apucarana he was member of the presbyteral council and of the college of consultors as well as coordinator general of the diocesan pastoral.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Flenucleta and appointed auxiliary of Vitória, April 6, 1994. Consecrated, May 31, 1994, cathedral of Nossa Senhora de Lourdes, Apucarana, by Domingos Gabriel Wisniewski, bishop of Apucarana, assisted by Silvestre Luis Scandian, archbishop of Vitória, and by Acácio Rodrigues Alves, bishop of Palmares. His episocpal motto is Ut Omnes Unum Sint. Transferred to the see of Ponta Grossa, August 12, 1998; took possession on October 15, 1999. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Maringa, July 17, 2002. Received the pallium from Pope John Paul II on June 29, 2003 at the papal Vatican basilica. Transferred to the metropolitan see of Brasília, January 28, 2004. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2005 at the papal Vatican basilica. He made numerous parochial visits and actively participated in the meetings of the vicariates; he also paid special attention to the apostolate for young people. In May 2010 he organized the 16th National Eucharistic Congress in coincidence with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the archdiocese and of the city of Brasília. Named prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, January 4, 2011; on that same day, he became archbishop emeritus of Brasília and apostolic administrator of that see until the appointment of his successor.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Elena fuori Porta Prenestina on that same day. Named member of the Congregations for the Clergy; and for Catholic Education; and of the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on May 20, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. Named member of the Congregation for Bishops on December 16, 2013. He was named member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on February 6, 2014. He was confirmed as prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on March 29, 2014. On June 9, 2014, he was confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Clergy. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On May 21, 2016, he was named special papal envoy to the National Eucharistic Congress of Portugal, programmed for Fatima from June 10 to 12, 2016. On April 19, 2017, he was named special papal envoy to the Fifth World Ultreya of the Cursillos de Cristiandad, programmed at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fátima, Portugal, from May 4 to 6, 2017. On September 7, 2019, he was named one of the three president delegates of the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian Region programmed in the Vatican from October 6 to 27, 2019. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Portuguese, arquidiocese de Brasília; biography, in Portuguese, - Faculdade de Educação - UNICAMP; photograph and biography, in Portuguese, Wikipedia; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Teología de la liberación casi me hace dejar sacerdocio, dice Prefecto vaticano para vida consagrada, ACI, 03 Feb. 11 / 02:38 am; João Bráz de Aviz: The Liberation theologian receives the red biretta by Alessandro Speciale, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; João Braz de Aviz: A Brazilian at the service of a universal Church, Vatican Insider, 03/ 7/2012; El cardenal Braz de Aviz: La Iuvenescit Ecclesia muestra la comunión entre carismas y jerarquía by Sergio Mora, Zenit, Ciudad del Vaticano, 16 junio 2016; Card. Braz de Aviz: "O Papa, seja quem for, é sempre Pedro" by Cristiane Murray, Vatican News, audio, Cidade do Vaticano, 27 dezembro 2017, 14:05; Kardinal Braz de Aviz: „Geweihtes Leben in Gefahr“ by Mario Galgano, Vatican News, Vatikanstadt, 01 Februar 2018, 11:45, with audio; Dom João à vida consagrada: “Aguentar firme, pois não há felicidade igual neste mundo”, Vatican News. Cidade do Vaticano, 02 fevereiro 2018, 09:48, with audio and video; Card. João Braz de Aviz e o livro "Economia a serviço do carisma e da missão" by Bianca Fraccalvieri, Vatican News, Cidade do Vaticano, 10 março 2018, 11:55, with audio; Kardinal Braz de Aviz wird Leitlinien der Ordenskongregation vorstellen, Vatican News, 12 März 2018, 14:11; Vida Consagrada: um Congresso sobre o tema da consagração, Vatican News, Cidade do Vaticano, 26 abril 2018, 09:57, with audio; Vita consacrata: card. Braz de Aviz (Civcsva), “capire meglio il senso della consacrazione in maniere diverse ma complementari all’interno del popolo di Dio”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 3 maggio 2018 @ 20:00; Presentazione dell’Istruzione “Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago” sull’ “Ordo Virginum”, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 04.07.2018; Vatikan plant Welttreffen gottgeweihter Jungfrauen, Vatican News, 04 Juli 2018, 11:55; Vatican prefect urges Vietnamese to reach out to needy, UCA News, Hue, Vietnam, September 7, 2018; Dom João: presença dos jovens deu uma nota nova no Sínodo by Silvonei José and Mariangela Jaguraba, Vatican News, Cidade do Vaticano, 11 outubro 2018, 13:53, with video; Braz de Aviz: “Quienes han encubierto abusos durante 70 años son una mafia; no son Iglesia” by Rubén Cruz, Vida Nueva Digital, 15/11/2018; Vatican Knew About Legionary Founder Maciel’s Abuse From 1943 by Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, Jan. 2, 2019; Cardeal Braz de Aviz nomeado presidente delegado do Sínodo para a Amazônia by Silvonei José, vaticannews.va, Cidade do Vaticano, 07 setembro 2019, 12:00, with audio; Temos que agradecer o Papa que temos, afirma Card. Braz de Aviz, Vatican News, Cidade do Vaticano, 17 dezembro 2019, 11:41, with video and audio; El cardenal João Braz reconoció que el Vaticano tenía desde 1943 documentos sobre la pederastia del fundador de los Legionarios de Cristo, López-Dóriga Digital, diciembre 22, 2019; 2020: a renovação da vida consagrada continua by Bianca Fraccalvieri, Vatican News, Cidade do Vaticano, 30 dezembro 2019, 12:17, with audio; El Vaticano confirma que está investigando abusos sexuales a monjas, Univisión, 24 Ene 2020 – 6:15 PM EST; Vatikan: Für einen neuen Umgang mit Ordensfrauen, Vatican News, 25 Januar 2020, 13:39; Giornata della vita consacrata, Braz de Aviz: una risorsa in dialogo con il mondo by Bianca Fraccalvieri and Gabriella Ceraso, Vatican News, Città del Vaticano, 01 febbraio 2020, 07:00, with audio; Focolari: Castel Gandolfo, convegno “Carismi in comunione”. Card. Braz de Aviz, “spinta a rinnovare i rapporti di fraternità”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 8 febbraio 2020 @ 17:35; João Braz de Aviz: “Tenemos un sistema enfermo con relaciones de sumisión, de obediencia mal entendida” by Rubén Cruz, Vida Nueva Digital, 27/07/2020; Vatican cardinal denounces “sick system of submission and domination” women religious suffer at hands of men by Mada Jurado, Novena, July 28, 2020 1:00 pm; As crises no Brasil: não é o fim da linha, é o começo de uma nova, diz cardeal Braz de Aviz by Silvonei José and Andressa Collet, Vatican News, 08 setembro 2020, 13:40, with audio; Braz de Aviz: il Covid non ha fermato i nostri consacrati by Bianca Fraccalvieri, Vatican News, Città del Vaticano, 14 dicembre 2020, 08:00, with video and audio; Nella «Fratelli tutti» le radici della profezia. La Congregazione per gli istituti di vita consacrata e le società di vita apostolica in vista della festa del 2 febbraio by João Braz Card. de Aviz, Prefetto, José Rodríguez Carballo, o.f.m., Arcivescovo Segretario; Giornata della vita consacrata: card. Braz de Aviz, “il distanziamento fisico non può separarci”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 2 febbraio 2021 @ 18:43; Witnesses to the beauty of God. The Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consacrata 25 years later. Congregatio Pro Institutis Vitae Consecratae et Societatibus Vitae Apostolicae, João Braz Card. de Aviz, Prefect; + Fr. José Rodríguez Carballo, ofm, Archbishop Secretary, Vatican City, 25 March 2021. Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord; Cardeal João Braz de Aviz fala a futuros formadores, Vatican News, 29 abril 2021, 15:52; Braz de Aviz: “El Papa está preocupado porque se están retomando posiciones tradicionalistas al formar sacerdotes” by José Beltrán, Vida Nueva Digital, 17/05/2021; Dom João Braz de Aviz sobre a Rádio Vaticano: leva o Evangelho a todos os povos, Vatican News, 24 dezembro 2021, 17:29, with audio and video; Santa Messa per la XXVI Giornata della Vita Consacrata. Indirizzo di saluto del Card. João Braz de Aviz, Prefetto della Congregazione per gli Istituti di vita consacrata e le Società di vita apostolica, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, Il Sismografo, mercoledì 2 febbraio 2022; Messa Giornata vita consacrata: card. Braz de Aviz, “impariamo di nuovo ad ascoltarci reciprocamente”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 2 Febbraio 2022 @ 18:46; Intervento dell’Em.mo Card. João Braz de Aviz, Conferenza Stampa di presentazione del Convegno Internazionale “Carisma e creatività. Catalogazione, gestione e progetti innovativi per il patrimonio culturale delle comunità di vita consacrata” (4-5 maggio 2022), Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 17.02.2022; Rescriptum ex Audientia SS.MI: Rescritto del Santo Padre Francesco circa la deroga al can. 588 §2 CIC, 18.05.2022, Dal Vaticano, 18 maggio 2022, Sala Stampa della santa Sede, João Braz Card. de Aviz, Prefetto; José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M., Arcivescovo Segretario; Rescriptum ex Audientia Sanctissimi. Circa le associazioni pubbliche di fedeli “in itinere”, L'Osservatore Romano, Dal Vaticano, 15 giugno 2022, João Braz Card. de Aviz, Prefetto; José Rodríguez Carballo, o.f.m., Arcivescovo Segretario; Dom João Braz de Aviz celebra em Apucarana 50 anos de ordenação, TNonline, 25.11.2022, 17:21:18, with video; Breaking news: Il cardinale João Braz de Aviz nega che uscirà un documento contro gli Istituti Tradizionali, messainlatino.it, mercoledì 5 aprile 2023.
(1) As a young priest, he was once on his way to a village to say mass when he stumbled upon an armored car robbery. He was shot during the crossfire, with 130 pellets perforating his lungs and intestines and one eye. Although he survived and surgeons were able to save his eye, he still has fragments of those bullets in his body.
Birth. April 8, 1939, Bronx, New York, United States of America. Eldest of the three children of Edwin Frederick, Sr., and Mary Winifred O'Brien. The other two siblings were Kenneth and Tom, both deceased. He lost his father at fourteen. As his mother worked as a secretary and journal distributor, Edwin and his siblings were raised by a Jewish couple. When his mother remarried, they moved to Westchester County.
Education. He finished his elementary education at Our Lady of Solace School in 1953; he then studied at St. Mary's High School in Katonah, 1953 to 1957; he entered St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, and obtained a bachelor of arts in 1961; a master of Divinity in 1964; and a master of arts in 1965; in 1976, he obtained a doctorate in moral theology at the Pontifical University of S. Tommaso d'Aquino, Angelicum, Rome (dissertation: "The origin and development of moral principles in the theology of Paul Ramsey", Angelicum U. Press, 1976); while in Rome, he resided at the Pontifical North American College.
Priesthood. Ordained, May 29, 1965, metropolitan cathedral of St. Patrick, New York, by Cardinal Francis Joseph Spellman, archbishop of New York. Incardinated in the archdiocese of New York. His first pastoral assignment was as a civilian chaplain at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Later, he was commissioned to become a military chaplain; and in 1970, he officially became an army chaplain with the rank of captain, serving with the 82nd Airborne Division. From 1971 to 1972, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 1st Cavalry Brigade. From a base of operations in the middle of a jungle, he and a Protestant minister flew by helicopter to defensive outposts where they would provide for the spiritual needs of the soldiers. In 1973, he left the military and began his doctoral studies in Rome, which he completed in 1976. He returned to New York and was named vice-chancellor for the archdiocese and associate pastor at St. Patrick's cathedral. In 1979, he coordinated the visit of Pope John Paul II to New York; and for two years served as communications director of the archdiocese. He was rector of St. Joseph's Seminary from 1985 to 1989; and from 1994 to 1997. Prelate of honor of His Holiness, March 17, 1986. From 1990 to 1994, he served as rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Tizica and appointed auxiliary bishop of New York, February 6, 1996. Consecrated, March 25, 1996, metropolitan cathedral of St. Patrick, by Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor, archbishop of New York, assisted by Patrick Joseph Thomas Sheridan, titular bishop of Cursola, auxiliary of New York, and by John Gavin Nolan, titular bishop of Natchez, auxiliary of New York. His episcopal motto is Pastores dabo vobis. Named coadjutor of the Military Ordinariate of the United States of America and promoted to the rank of archbishop, April 8, 1997. Succeeded to the ordinariate, August 12, 1997. Resigned the titular see of Tizica, March 7, 1998. Transferred to the metropolitan see of Baltimore, July 12, 2007, becoming its fifteenth archbishop. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2008, at the papal Vatican basilica. Named pro-grand master of the Equestrian Order of Saint John of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on August 29, 2011. Apostolic administrator of the see of Baltimore until the installation of his successor, Bishop William Edward Lori of Connecticut, on May 16, 2012.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Sebastiano al Palatino on that same day. Named grand master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem on March 15, 2012. Named member of the Congregations for the Oriental Churches; and for Catholic Education; and of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on October 25, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, until the expiration of his term, on February 19, 2014. On November 17, 2015, he was named member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on April 8, 2019. On December 8, 2019, the pope accepted his resignation from the post of Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of he Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in English, archdiocese of Baltimore; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; photograph and biography, in English, Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; O'Brien's opportunity with the Order of the Holy Sepulchre by John L. Allen, Jr, National Catholic Reporer, August 29, 2011; O'Brien: A man of formation and testimony by Gerard O'Connell, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Al servizio dell'incontro. Nuovo sito per l'ordine equestre del Santo sepolcro, L'Osservatore Romano, 08 agosto 2016; Grand Magisterium of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre; Card. Fernando Filoni appointed Grand Master of Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, 9 December 2019.
Birth. February 3, 1943, parish of Natività di Maria in Tramontana, Parodi Ligure, province of Alessandria, archdiocese of Genoa, Italy. From a peasant family. He was baptized four days later in that parish.
Education. After his initial studies at the elementary school of Tramontana, on October 10, 1954, after the death of his father, he entered the Minor Seminary of Genoa, thanks to the support of the local priest, Don Giovanni Conti; successively, he studied at the lyceum of the Major Seminary of Genoa, where he obtained the diploma Lyceum "Cristoforo Colombo" of Genova in 1962; he had a definite missionary vocation, which was opposed however not only by his mother but also by Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, archbishop of Genoa, who in fact sent him to study in Rome; on October 15, 1962, he entered the Lombardian Pontifical Seminary in Rome, studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University; after one year, he obtained a bachelor in philosophy; and after five years, the doctorate in Sacred Theology, magna cum laude, with a thesis on the original sin in Erasmus of Rotterdam, in relation with the Council of Trent (1).
Priesthood. Ordained, February 25, 1967, at the chapel of the Major Seminary of Genoa, by Cardinal Giuseppe Siri, archbishop of Genoa. After finishing his studies at Seminario Lombardo, he returned to Genoa in 1968. Named vice-pastor of Uscio; and at the same time, professor of Salms, Books of Wisdom, and Hebrew language at the Major Seminary of Genoa. From 1969 until 1989, he was named rector of the Oratory of S. Erasmo, Genoa QuintoI, continuing his teaching at the seminary in moral philosophy, natural theology, introduction to theology and fundamental moral theology. During the period of adaptation of the curriculum of the Seminary of Genoa to that of the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, of which the Seminary of Genoa became a section, he left the teaching of philosophy and taught fundamental theology and dogmatic theology. For many years he was secretary of the Presbyteral Council of the archdiocese of Genoa. After the promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law, he was part of the working group that studied the adaptation of diocesan structures to the regulations of the new code. From 1980 to 1985, he taught fundamental moral theology at the Interdiocesan Theological Study in Alessandria. In 1985, he was charged with coordinating the organization of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Genoa. Because of his success in that charge, at the request of Cardinal Siri, the pope named Father Calcagno prelate of honor of His Holiness on November 8, 1985. In that same year, he was elected by the Diocesan Presbyteral Council member of the Administrative Council; and in addition, Cardinal Siri named him president of the D.S.C. At this time, he also consolidated and restructured the Oratory of S. Erasmo, a national monument. He was member of the Diocesan Commission of the Doctrine of the Faith and episcopal vicar for the new activities with Cardinal Giovanni Canestri, archbishop of Genoa. Then, he was transferred to Rome to take over new national charges. At the national level, he has been member of the Italian Presbyteral Commission from 1975 to 1980; and its secretary from 1981 to 1992. In Rome, he was director of the National Office for the Missionary Cooperation between the Churches from 1989 to 1996. From 1996 until 1998, he was president of the Central Institute for the Soustenance of the Clergy. From the end of 1998 to March 2002, he was economous of the Italian Episcopal Conference and president of Collegio dei Conti of the Institute for the Soustenance of the Clergy. More recently, he has been president of the Collegio dei Revisori dei Conti of Italian Caritas; counselor to the administration of Libreria Editrice Vaticana; and member Council for the Economic Affairs of the Italian Episcopal Conference. He also taught an annual monographic course of eschatology at the Pontifical Urbanian University for ten years.
Episcopate. Elected bishop of Savona-Noli, January 25, 2002. Consecrated, March 9, 2002, cathedral of S. Lorenzo, Genoa, by Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, archbishop of Genoa, assisted by Cardinal Giovanni Canestri, archbishop emeritus of Genoa, and by Paolo Romeo, titular archbishop of Vulturia, nuncio in Italy. His episcopal motto is In veritate libertas. Named secretary of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, August 31, 2007 and elevated to the rank of archbishop. Named president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, July 7, 2011.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of Annunciazione della Beata Vergine Maria a Via Ardeatina on that same day. On April 21, 2012, he was named member of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City; of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples; and of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Workers on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his deaconry on May 27, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. He was named member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on March 29, 2014. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On June 26, 2018, the Pope accepted his resignation from the post of president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See because of age limit. To succeed him the Pope named Nunzio Galantino, bishop emeritus of Cassano all’Jonio, until then Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title. On February 3, 202, he turned eighty years old and lost the right to participate in the conclave.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Calcagno, from school of Siri to the Roman Curia, Vatican Insider, 02/15/2012; Sala Stampa: card. Calcagno sereno su inchiesta patrimonio clero Savona, Radio Vaticana, 2016-05-20; Cardinal in charge of Vatican real estate faces embezzlement probe by Ines San Martin, Crux, May 17, 2016; Il Cardinale Calcagno compie 80 anni, gli elettori scendono a 123 by Marco Mancini, ACI Stampa, Città del Vaticano, 03 febbraio, 2023 / 6:30 PM.
(1) One part of the thesis was published in the Serie minore of the collection that the Pontifical Lombardina Seminary published with Casa editrice Morcelliana, under the title "L'uomo decaduto e redento in Erasmo da Rotterdam".
Birth. July 30, 1943, Villarboit, archdiocese of Vercelli, Italy. He has a sister, Cesarina. His maternal uncle, Father Maggiorino Carenzo, was the parish priest of Montarolo, province of Turin, Italy.
Education. He entered the Seminary of Moncrivello, Vercelli, at eleven years of age; later, in 1972, after ordination, he was sent to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he obtained a licentiate in psychology and a doctorate in canon law. In 1981, he obtained the title of advocate at the Sacred Roman Rota.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 29, 1967, by Albino Mensa, archbishop of Vercelli. Vicar of the parish of Santissimo Salvatore in Vercelli. For two years he was responsible for the lyceal community of the Seminary of Vercelli. Further studies in Rome, from 1972 until 1976, when he returned to Vercelli and was given the charge of founding the Diocesan Consultory for the Family, of which he became the director. Successively, he was president of the Piedmontese Regional Federation of Consultants of Christian Inspiration. At the beginning of 1977, he was named pastor of the parish of Larizzate, in the city of Vercelli. In 1980 he was sent to teach canon law and psychology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, partially maintaining his activities in the archdiocese of Vercelli. Named referendary of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature in 1985; voter in 1990; and member in 2007; and also professor of anthropology at the Studio of the Sacred Roman Rota. On March 25, 1994, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., of Vercelli, named him vicar general of the archdiocese, in which post he was confirmed by the new Archbishop Enrico Masseroni. Named president, representing the archbishop, of the Foundation of the Museum of the Treasury of the Duomo and of the Capitular Archive; also, member of the organ of direction of the Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Vercelli.
Episcopate. Elected bishop of Alessandria, April 4, 2007. Consecrated, May 26, 2007, in the cathedral of Vercelli, by Enrico Masseroni, archbishop of Vercelli, assisted by Fernando Charrier, bishop emeritus of Alessandria, and Natalino Pescarolo, bishop emeritus of Cuneo. His episcopal motto is Christi minister. He was installed on the following June 10. Member of the Council for Juridical Affairs of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Director of the Osservatorio giuridico-legislativo of the Episcopal Conference of Piedmont-Valle d'Aosta; and ecclesiastical assistant to the Association of Catholic Physicians of the Region of Piedmont. Named apostolic visitor to the Legionaires of Christ, June 27, 2009. Named president of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See and promoted to the dignity of archbishop, September 21, 2010. He was apostolic administrator of Alessandria until the appointment of his successor. He has written numerous articles and books on matrimony.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of Sacro Cuore di Gesù a Castro Pretorio on that same day. Named honorary citizen of Alessandria in March 2012. Appointed member of the Congregations for Bishops; and for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life; and of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signature on April 21, 2012. Took possession of deaconry on June 15, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". On February 18, 2013, he was appointed papal delegate to the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for Bishops on December 16, 2013. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on March 29, 2014. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". Named member of the College for the review of appeals to the Ordinary Session of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on January 21, 2015. On March 31, 2015, he was named prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education. On November 3, 2016, he was named grand chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Perú for a term of five years. On July 15, 2017, he was named member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. On April 14, 2018, he was named member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. On March 4, 2022, he opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated, pro hac vice, to title. On March 8, 2022, he ceased as grand chancellor of the Pontifical University of Perú (PUCP). On June 5, 2022, when the apostolic consttituion Praedicate EvangeliuM entered into effect, he ceased as prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; biography, in English, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Versaldi: From the rice fields of Vercelli to the Holy See, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; L'intercettazione Versaldi-Profiti e il salvataggio dell'Idi by Francesco Peloso, Vatican Insider, 20/06/2015; Vatican cardinal caught up in hospital financing investigation, reporting By Philip Pullella and Isla Binnie; editing by Clelia Oziel, Reuters, Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:47pm BST; Cardinal Versaldi urges theologians to practice what they preach by Joe Torres, ucanews.com, Manila, Philippines, March 11, 2016; Cardenal propone 5 claves para la educación católica by Giselle Vargas, ACI, Santiago, 17 Oct. 17 / 08:11 pm; A sostegno di una formazione integrale dei giovani. Il prefetto della Congregazione per l’educazione cattolica in Cile, L'Osservatore Romano, 21 ottobre 2017; Conversione missionaria. Il cardinale Versaldi spiega la costituzione apostolica «Veritatis gaudium» by Gianluca Biccini, L'Osservatore Romano, 30 gennaio 2018; Articolo sull’Osservatore Romano del Prefetto della Congregazione per l’Educazione Cattolica (degli Istituti di Studi) by Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 15.02.2019; Cardenal Versaldi: “La ‘Veritatis Gaudium’ supone un estímulo a la misión de evangelización de la universidad y la iglesia”, Zenit, 25 marzo 2019; La questione del gender nell’ambito educativo. Documento della Congregazione per l’educazione cattolica by Giuseppe Versaldi, L'Osservatore Romano, 10 giugno 2019; Vatican cardinals linked to missing millions and financial scandal by Ed Condon, Catholic News Agency, Vatican City, Oct 29, 2019 / 02:03 pm; Abdullah bin Zayed receives Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Emirates News Agency, Sun 02-02-2020 21:35 PM, with video; Nahyan bin Mubarak receives delegation from Vatican, Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee of Estonian Parliament, Emirates News Agency, Abu Dhabi, Sun 02-02-2020 21:42 PM, with video; Nahyan bin Mubarak receives Vatican delegation, Emirate News Agency, WAM, Abu Dhabi, 6th July, 2021; Focusing on education can promote tollerance and human fraternity by Davide Dionisi, Vatican News, Vatican City, 07 July 2021, 15:27; UAE, Vatican sign MoU to strengthen cooperation in education, Emirates News Agency, Abu Dhabi, Wed 14-07-2021 15:25 PM; Vaticano publica directrices para la enseñanza a distancia en las facultades eclesiásticas by Mercedes de la Torre, ACI Prensa, 2 de agosto de 2021 - 5:35 AM; Cardenal Versaldi nombrado Gran Canciller de la PUCP, pumtoedu, 15.11.2016; Un nuovo modello culturale per far fronte alla “catastrofe educativa” by Gabriella Ceraso, L'Osservatore Romano, 22 novembre 2021; La Congregazione per l’Educazione Cattolica by Gabriella Ceraso, Vatican News, Città del Vaticano, 22 novembre 2021, 15:00, with video; The Identity of the Catholic Achool, For a Culture of Dialogue, Instruction, Congregation for Catholic Education (for Educational Institutions), Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, Vatican City, 25 January 2022, Feast of the Conversion of St Paul the Apostle, Joseph Card. Versaldi, Prefect; Archbishop Angelo Vincenzo Zani, Secretary; Versaldi: le scuole cattoliche formino persone libere e integre by Salvatore Cernuzio, Vatican News, 29 marzo 2022, 13:30; Per formare comunità in cui ci sia sempre attenzione alle persone. Il documento spiegato dal cardinale prefetto Giuseppe Versaldi by Salvatore Cernuzio, L'Osservatore Romano, 29 marzo 2022; A Conversation with Cardinal Versaldi: Inclusivity, Catholic Education, and Fordham’s Global Identity by Taylor Ha, Fordham News, August 8, 2022.
Birth. April 19, 1945, parish of Thuruthy, in Kottayam, archiepiscopal of Changanacherry (Changanassery) of the Syro-Malabars, India. He is the sixth of the ten children of Philipose and Mary Alencherry; two of his brothers, Jose and Francis, S.D.B., are priests; and a sister, Cherupushpam, S.A.B.S., is a nun. His parents were farmers. At baptism, he was given the name Geevarghese.
Education. He did his primary studies at Saint Mary's School, in Thuruthy; and secondary studies at Saint Berchman's High School, in Changanacherry. As his elder brothers had already entered the priesthood, his father did not allow that George would enter the seminary due to financial difficulties. He was only able to pursue his studies thanks to Archbishop Mathew Kavukattu of Changanacherry of the Syro-Malabars, who personally covered the expenses of his education. In 1961, he entered the Archdiocesan Minor Seminary at Parel, Changanacherry; while at the minor seminary, he obtained his bachelors in economics with second rank from Saint Berchman's College. Studied at the University of Kerala, where in 1965, he obtained a bachelors of arts in economics; then, he was sent to Saint Joseph's Pontifical Seminary, Aluva, where he studied philosophy and theology; later, after his priestly ordination, he obtained a masters in theology at the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy, Alwaye; he also earned a Higher Diploma in Bible Studies (DSEB) and a doctorate in theology conjointly from La Sorbonne University and the Institut Catholique de Paris, France, in 1986. He is proficient in Malayalam, Tamil, English and French.
Priesthood. Ordained, November 19, 1972, by Antony Padiyara, archbishop of Chanagancherry, in Saint Mary's church, Thuruthy. He was incardinated in the archdiocese of Changanacherry. While pursuing higher studies at Aluva, he served as vicar of the church of Periyarmugham, archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. After finishing his studies in Aluva, he was named assistant vicar of the cathedral church of Changanacherry as well as director of the Archdiocesan Faith Formation department. Then, he served from 1976 to 1978 as secretary of the Commission for Catechism of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC). In 1978, he was sent to Paris for higher studies. He returned to India in 1986 and was named deputy secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference, occupying the post until 1993; concurrently, from 1986 to 1991, he was the director of the Pastoral Orientation Center at Palarivattam; and simultaneously, from 1986 to 1997, he was professor at Saint Thomas Apostolic Seminary, Vadavathoor, Kottayam; from 1994 to 1997, he was protosyncellus of the archdiocese of Changanacherry.
Episcopate. Elected first eparch of Thuckalay of the Syro-Malabars, November 11, 1996. Consecrated, February 2, 1997, in Padanthalummoodu, India, by Joseph Powathil, archbishop of Changanacherry, assisted by Lawrence Ephraem Thottam, bishop of Marthandom, and by Matthew Vattackuzhy, bishop of Kanjirapally. He was installed on the same day. His episcopal motto is Service in dialog of truth and love. Elected archbishop major of Ernakulam-Angalamy by the Syro-Malabar Synod held at Mount St. Thomas, Kochi, on May 24, 2011. Pope Benedict XVI confirmed the election on May 25, 2011. He was installed on Friday May 27, in the afternoon, at a solemn Mass at St. Mary's cathedral basilica, in the presence of Salvatore Pennacchio, titular archbishop of Montemarana, nuncio to India. He is the third Archbishop Major. He has served as secretary of the Synod of Bishops and chairman of the Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Commission for Catechism. He has also served as chairman of the Commission for Laity of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). He has written the book "Morality Today and Tomorrow" in Malayalam as well as numerous articles on various topics in English and Malayalam.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Bernardo alle Terme Diocleziane on that same day. Named member of the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith and for the Oriental Churches on April 21, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Took possession of his title on October 14, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On April 15, 2016, he was named member of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. On June 22, 2018, Pope Francis named Jacob Manathodath, bishop of Palghat of the Syro-Malabars, apostolic administrator, sede plena, of the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars. Previously, Cardinal Alencherry had been been cited by the High Court of Kerala for his alleged loss of 13 million dollars in suspicious transactions of land purchase. On April 30, 2019, after months of investigation, the Kerala police established that the documents against the cardinal were falsified. On June 27, 2019, the Pope put an end to the office of Apostolic Administrator sede plena of the Archieparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabares, carried out by Jacob Manathodath, bishop of Palghat of the Syro-Malabars.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; photograph and biography, in English, Wikipedia; photographs and biography, in English, The Syro-Malabar Church Internet Mission; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; George Alencherry is Major Archbishop, in English, The Hindu, Online edition of India's National Newspaper, Friday, May 27, 2011; Mar George Alencherry, installed as head of the Syro-Malabar Church, video, asianetnews, YouTube, uploaded on May 29, 2011; Mar George Alencherry consecrated as Cardinal, video, YouTube; Syro-Malabar Church to exclude women in feet-washing ceremony by T.K. Devasia, UCA News, Kochi, India, December 25, 2017, published March 31, 2017; Land deal scandal entangles Indian cardinal by Christopher Joseph, Kochi, India, UCA News, February 7, 2018; Court allows criminal proceedings against Kerala cardinal by Christopher Joseph, UCA News, Kochi, India, March 7, 2018; Vatican blamed for turmoil in Eastern-rite Indian church by Christopher Joseph, UCA News, Kochi, India, March 19, 2018; Controversy-hit Kerala cardinal meets with dissenting priests by Christopher Joseph, UCA News, Kochi, India, March 29, 2018; Church Takes Steps to Resolve Syro-Malabar Church Land Sale Conflict by Anto Akkara, National Catholic Register, Kerala, India, Apr. 2, 2018; Kerala priests turn to Vatican in land deal case by T.K. Devasia, UCA News, Kochi, India, May 24, 2018; Francisco cesa a otro cardenal: ahora al indio siro-malabar Alencherry, Ecclesia Digital, 22 de junio de 2018; Pope appoints Apostolic Administrator “Sede Plena” in India-based Syro-Malabar Church, Vatican News, 22 June 2018, 13:41; Vatican gets tough with Indian archdiocese in land scandal, by T. K. Devasia, UCA News, Kochi, India, June 26, 2018; Cardinal questioned by police in Indian rape inquiry by Joseph Benny, UCA News, Kochi, India, July 20, 2018; Forgery case revives controversy involving Indian cardinal by Christopher Joseph, UCA News, Kochi, India, March 20, 2019; Kerala police: documents accusing Card. Alencherry "fabricated”, AsiaNews.com, New Delhi, 04/30/2019, 14.00; Charges against Card Alencherry: another priest involved in the scandal, AsiaNews.com, New Delhi, 05/03/2019, 13.15; Financial controversy involving Indian cardinal flares up again by Christopher Joseph, UCA News, Kochi, India, May 28, 2019; Indian cardinal cleared by bishops of land scam by Saji Thomas, UCA News, Bhopal, India, June 7, 2019; Indian cardinal reinstated but financial restrictions remain, UCA News, Kochi, India, June 28, 2019; Pope Francis reinstates Card. Alencherry to diocese, AsiaNews.com, New Delhi, 06/28/2019, 10.49; Priests oppose reinstating of Indian cardinal, call for papal intervention, UCA News, Kochi, India, July 3, 2019; Rebellion spreads in India's Eastern-rite church, UCA News, Kochi, India, July 16, 2019; The cardinal struggling to quell a priestly rebellion, by Saptarshi Ray, Catholic Herald, 25 July, 2019; Alencherry will face trial over land deals, Indian court rules by JD Flynn, Catholic News Agency, Denver, Colo., Aug 29, 2019 / 07:00 pm; Administrative shake-up for Eastern-rite church in India, UCA News, Kochi, India, September 3, 2019; The Vatican makes a dramatic move against a crisis-hit cardinal by Saptarshi Ray, Catholic Herald, 5 September, 2019; Indian cardinal demands release of arrested priest and catechist, UCA News, Bhopal, India, September 13, 2019; Card Alencherry wants justice for priest and catechist arrested for "forced conversions" by Nirmala Carvalho, AsiaNews, Mumbai, 09/13/2019, 13.16; Cardinal calls for vigilance as virus spells calamity in Indian state, UCA News, India, February 4, 2020; Indian cardinal leads inter-religious prayers against virus, UCA News, India, May 5, 2020; Asia/India - In Sabha Dinam, Cardinal Alencherry urges Catholics to help strengthen Indian economy, Agenzia Fides, Kochi, Tuesday, 30 June 2020; Card. Alencherry: abbandonare il lusso e aiutare coloro che soffrono per la crisi by Biju Veticad, AsiaNews.it, Cochin, 04/07/2020, 10.04; L'Église du Kerala préoccupée par une réforme fiscale, Vatican News, 29 juillet 2020, 12:56; Card. Alencherry ordina inchiesta su nozze tra un musulmano e una cattolica by Nirmala Carvalho, AsiaNews.it, Mumbai, 24/11/2020, 12.04; Invite Pope Francis, Indian cardinals urge prime minister, Matters India, January 19, 2021; Assembly elections: Head of Syro-Malabar church writes to CEC, Kochi, Yahoo News, Tue, 16 February, 2021, 10:43 am; Asia - I Cardinali asiatici: solidarietà al Myanmar, appello per la pace e la democrazia, Agenzia Fides, Manila, mercoledì, 24 marzo 2021; ‘Medical oxygen should be basic human right’: Cardinal George Alencherry, Express News Service, Kochi, 26th April 2021 03:01 AM; Alencherry completes decade of pastoral leadership of Syro-Malabar Church, The New Indian Express, Kochi, 30th May 2021 07:20 AM; Church land deals: Audit report puts Cardinal George Alencherry in a spot, The New Indian Express, 26th June 2021 06:33 AM; Leaked audit report muddles archdiocesan land sale controversy, Matters India, June 28, 2021; India's Eastern Church sees sinister plan to oust cardinal by Saji Thomas, UCA News, July 1, 2021 10:54 AM GMT; Place of worship can be relocated for road developments, says Cardinal George Alencherry, Mathrubhumi, Jul 27, 2021, 07:45 AM IST; Cardinal Alenchery asked to face trial in land deal case, Matters India, August 12, 2021; Synod of Syro-Malabar Church gets under way, The Hindu, Kochi, August 16, 2021 23:58 IST; Cardinal's land case has major implications for Indian Church by Christopher Joseph, UCA News, August 23, 2021 12:05 AM GMT; Govt announces probe against Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Kaumudi Online, 21 September, 2021 | 10:52 AM; Cardinal defuses religious row in southern Indian state by Saji Thomas, UCA News, September 22, 2021 08:01 AM GMT; Kerala: Cardinal George Alencherry appears before court in nun rape case, The Times of India, Kottayam, Oct 2, 2021, 07:28 IST; Enforcement Directorate starts probe into land-sale row involving Cardinal George Alencherry, The Hindu, Kochi, October 23, 2021 15:53 IST; Church sees conspiracy in probe against Indian cardinal, UCA News, October 25, 2021 4:29 PM; In India, Cardinal Alencherry again rejects allegations of illegal land deals by Kevin J. Jones, Catholic News Agency, Kochi, India, Oct 26, 2021 / 17:21 pm; Modi to meet pope this weekend, says Indian cardinal, UCA News, October 28, 2021 09:10 AM GMT; Land sold by Cardinal not govt. land, HC told, The Hindu, Kochi, November 05, 2021 20:10 IST; Ernakulam-Angamali Archdiocese against implementing uniform Mass, onmanorama.com, November 27, 2021 02:11 PM IST; Alencherry calls for unity and peace within church, The Hindu, Kochi, November 28, 2021 18:35 IST; Controversy over unified Holy Mass erupts again, The Times of India, Dec 11, 2021, 04:20 IST; Catholic Church will accept govt. decision on marriage age, says Cardinal, The Hindu, Kochi, December 21, 2021 07:10 IST; Priests stage fast in front of Cardinal’s residence, The Hindu, KOCHI, January 12, 2022 18:14 IST; Vatican backs Eastern Church decision on Indian liturgical dispute, UCA News, March 12, 2022 04:06 AM GMT; Catholic archdiocese deplores burning of cardinals’ effigies at Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy protest, Catholic News Agency, Kochi, India, Mar 18, 2022 / 08:33 am; Siro-malabaresi, laici bruciano manichini di due cardinali per la disputa sulla liturgia by Nirmala Carvalho, AsiaNews.it, 19/03/2022, 11.08; Indian bishops appeal Supreme Court to retain temporal powers, UCA News, March 28, 2022 03:24 PM GMT; India's top court admits cardinal's appeal in land case, UCA News, April 05, 2022 05:38 AM GMT; Cardinal moves trial court in land scam case, The Hindu, Kochi, April 12, 2022 19:37 IST; Priests in 335 of 340 churches defy cardinal’s diktat, The New Indian Express, Kochi, 19th April 2022 06:54 AM; Cardinal concerned Indian court’s order will force thousands from homes, Crux, Cochin, India, Jun 11, 2022; HC relief for Cardinal Alencherry, The Times of India, Kochi, Jun 30 2022, 08.42 IST; Land scam: Kerala govt gives clean chit to Mar Alencherry, The Indian Express, Kochi, 13th July 2022 06:19 AM; State government clears Indian cardinal on contested real estate deals by Nirmala Carvalho, Crux, Mumbai, Jul 14, 2022, with audio; AMECEA Plenary: Ethiopian Cardinal Condemns Migration as a Hindrance to Integral Human Development, Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa, July 18, 2022; Indian cardinal assures support for anti-port protest, UCA News, September 16, 2022 04:28 AM GMT; Court says Indian cardinal must appear to face charges on land deals, Crux, Kochi, India, Nov 10, 2022; Supreme Court Turns Down Cardinal George Alencherry's Plea For Exemption From Personal Appearance Before Magistrate In Land Scam Case by Rintu Mariam, Live Law.in, 13 Dec 2022 7:18 AM; Action against those who desecrated church, violated sacraments, says Cardinal, The Hindu, Kochi, December 26, 2022 10:10 pm IST; Cautious welcome to cardinal’s appeal for peace, The Hindu, Kochi, January 07, 2023 09:54 pm; Syro-Malabar synod fails to resolve violent row over the Mass by Nirmala Carvalho, Crux, Mumbai, Jan 16, 2023; Cardinal must step down, says lay people’s group, The Hindu, Kochi, January 28, 2023 08:40 pm; Cardinal opposes pleas for govt mediation, The New Indian Express, Kochi, 23rd March 2023 07:15 AM; Unjust rulings made by courts to please people, says Mar George Alencherry, Onmanorama Staff, April 07, 2023 01:21 PM IST; PM Modi a good leader; Christians not insecure in India: Cardinal Mar George Alencherry by Aishwarya Nair, asianetnews.com, Apr 9, 2023, 4:24 PM IST; Cardinal Alencherry’s views come under fire from members of Church, The Hindu, Kochi, April 13, 2023 01:31 am IST; Syro-Malabar leaders to discuss lasting peace for ‘liturgy war’ at Vatican by Luke Coppen, The Pillar, May 2, 2023 . 2:04 PM; Synod members to meet Vatican authorities, The Times of India, Kochi, May 3, 2023, 08:43 IST; Cardinal now cleared of all allegations: Church, The Times of India, Kochi, May 6, 2023, 08:31 IST.
Birth. January 16, 1947, Guelph, Ontario. Son of George Collins, circulation manager of the newspaper "Guelph Mercury", and his wife, who was a legal secretary. He is the only son and the youngest of three siblings. His childhood home was situated on Durham Street, behind Our Lady Immaculate church, where he attended and served morning Mass.
Education. He received his first education at St. Stanislaw's Elementary School in Guelph, after having already taught himself to read before he began the first grade; then, he did his secondary studies at Bishop Macdonnell Catholic High School; he then attended St. Jerome's College, Waterloo, Ontario, where he obtained a bachelor of arts in English, in 1969; then he went to St. Peter's Seminary, London, Ontario, obtaining a bachelor of theology in 1973; and the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, obtaining a master of arts degree in English, also in 1973); he received the diaconate, May 14, 1972; sent to study in Rome at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, he obtained a licentiate in Sacred Scripture in 1978; and a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, in 1986 (dissertation: Apocalypse 22:6-21 as the Focal Point of Moral Teaching and Exhortation in the Apocalypse, Director: Rev. Ugo Vanni, S.J.).
Priesthood. Ordained, May 5, 1973, in the cathedral of Christ the King, Hamilton, by Paul Reding, bishop of Hamilton. Associate pastor, Holy Rosary Parish, Burlington, Ontario, 1973 ; associate pastor, Christ the King Cathedral, Hamilton, Ontario; teacher and chaplain, Cathedral Boys' High School, Hamilton, Ontario; lecturer, Department of English, King's College, University of Western Ontario, 1978. At St. Peter's Seminary, London, Ontario, he was lecturer in Sacred Scriptures, 1978; group leader and spiritual director, 1983; associate professor of Scripture, 1985; associate editor, Discover the Bible, 1989; dean of Theology Department, 1993; vice-rector; and rector, 1995 until 1997.
Episcopate. Elected coadjutor bishop of Saint Paul in Alberta, March 25, 1997. Consecrated, May 14, 1997, at the cathedral Christ the King, Hamilton, by Anthony Frederick Tonnos, bishop of Hamilton, assisted by Raymond Roy, bishop of Saint Paul in Alberta, and by John Michael Sherlock, bishop of London. His episcopal motto is Deum adora. Succeeded to the see of Saint Paul in Alberta, June 30, 1997; installed, June 30, 1997. Member of the National Commission of Theology, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), 1997. Promoted to archbishop coadjutor of Edmonton, February 18, 1999. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Edmonton, June 7, 1999; installed, June 7, 1999. From 1999 to 2007, he was president of the Alberta Conference of Catholic Bishops; chairman of the Newman Theological College Board of Governors, Edmonton; chairman of the St. Joseph's College Board of Governors, University of Alberta, Edmonton; member of the Board of Directors, Caritas Health Group, Edmonton; and member of the Board of Directors, Alberta Catholic Health Corporation. Chairman of the National Commission of Theology, CCCB, 1999 to 2001. Member of CCCB Permanent Council, 1999 to 2003. Member of the Organizing Committee of World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto, Canada, 2000 to 2002. Apostolic administrator of Saint Paul, Alberta, March 26, 2001 until November 9, 2001. Chairman of the National Commission on Christian Unity, CCCB, 2001 to 2003. Transferred to the metropolitan see of Toronto, December 16, 2006; installed, January 30, 2007. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2007 at the papal Vatican basilica. In 2007 he became the chancellor of the University of St. Michael's College and of the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, in Toronto. He is the chair of the Board of Governors of St. Augustine's Seminary, and the chair of the Board of Directors of Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary; of the Catholic Charities and of the Catholic Cemeteries. In 2008, he was elected president of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has authored numerous publications, pastoral letters and reflections.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Patrizio on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education and of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his title on October 23, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. On January 15, 2014, he was named member, for the next quiquennium, of the Commission of Cardinals overseeing the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR). He was named member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on June 27, 2015. His five-year term as member of the Cardinalitial Commission of the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) ended and was not renewed on September 21, 2020. On February 11, 2023, the pope accepted his resignation from the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Toronto. He was succeeded by Frank Leo, until then titular bishop of Tamada and auxiliary of the archdiocese of Montréal. Cardinal Collins was apostolic administrator of Toronto until the installation of his successor on March 25, 2023.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Interview with Cardinal-Elect Tom Collins , video, YouTube; Martyrdom and the cardinalate, video, YouTube; Cardinal Collins receives biretta and ring, video, YouTube; Collins: The biblicist inspired by Carlo Maria Martini, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Human and Divine: Cardinal Collins on preparing for Conclave, Vatican Radio, 2013-03-04 17:12:23; Lectio Divina with Cardinal Thomas Collis, Salt and Light, New Season 2017-2018; Cardinals lead re-consecration of Canada to Mary by Deborah Gyapong, The Pilot, CNS, Ottawa, Ontario, 9/27/2017; Cardinal Collins: We're not seeking a war with the government by Christopher Wells, Vatican News, 23 February 2018, 12:56, with audio; Toronto cardinal calls for prayers after van kills at least 10, The Boston Pilot, Toronto, CNS, 4/24/2018; Cardinal defiant after pro-abortion protesters try to block Canadian March for Life by Deborah Gyapong, Catholic Herald, Monday, 14 May 2018; Cardinal Collins urges prayers for victims of Toronto shooting by Michael Swan, The Boston Pilot, CNS. Toronto, 7/25/2018; Toronto Cardinal to Clergy: ‘Be on Fire With Sacrificial Love and Priestly Zeal’, National Catholic Register, CNA/EWTN News, Phoenix, Sep. 27, 2018; En estos días difíciles Courage es signo de esperanza, afirma Cardenal, ACI Prensa, 4 de junio de 2019 10:16 pm; Cardinal Collins blasts Canadian assisted dying laws, Catholic News Agency, Toronto, Canada, Mar 2, 2020 / 11:30 am; Cardinal Collins: May the Risen Lord be our hope and joy, Vatican News, 14 April 2020, 15:06, with audio; Toronto cardinal rebukes Catholic school board members for barring Catechism reading, Catholic News Agency, Nov 20, 2020 / 04:48 pm MT; ‘Makes no sense’: Archbishop slams COVID restrictions that allow more people inside a liquor store than a church funeral by Wendy Gillis, Toronto Star, Mar 06, 2021; Papal apology for church's role in residential schools may not be 'way forward': archbishop by Christian Paas-Lang, CBC News, Jun 06, 2021 5:21 PM ET; Card. Collins (Toronto): “La Chiesa cattolica in Canada deve continuare a chiedere perdono” by M. Chiara Biagioni, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 13 luglio 2021; Rinuncia e Nomina dell’Arcivescovo Metropolita di Toronto (Canada), Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 11.02.2023; 'The storms are rising ... We go onward!' - Cardinal Collins on the mission of the Church, The Pillar, March 13, 2023 . 9:17 PM.
Birth. April 26, 1943, Hradec Králové, East Bohemia, Czech Republic (then Federal Republic of Czechoslovakia). His father was a soldier. His baptismal name was Jaroslav.
Education. After graduating from the gymnasium J. K. Tyla in 1960, he tried to study theology but it was prohibited because of political reasons. He worked from 1960 to 1962 in the factory "ZVU Hradec" and learned mechanics. From 1962 to 1964 he completed his military service and returned then to his work place. In 1965, after a long delay on appeals he was allowed to study philosophy and theology at the Theological Faculty Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Litoměřice. On January 5, 1968, he secretly entered the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) and took the name Dominik; made his temporary profession on January 6, 1969; in 1979 he obtained a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Theological Faculty "Saint John the Baptist" in Warsaw, Poland.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 22, 1970, by Stepán Trochta, bishop of Litoměřice, and at that time Cardinal in pectore. For five years, he worked in the parishes of Chlum, Jáchymov and Nové Mitrovice (then archdiocese of Prague, now diocese of Plzeň). On January 7, 1972, he made the solemn profession in the Order of Preachers. In 1975, after wearing his religious garb in public, he was deprived of the state authorization to exercise his priestly ministry and destined for almost fifteen years, until the end of 1989, to work at the factory Škoda of Plzeń as designer. During that time, he worked secretly in his order as vicar provincial (1975 to 1986) and master of the novices (1976-1981). For his activity in the Dominican order and secretly publishing of books (so-called "samizdat"), he was arrested in 1981-1982 and imprisoned in Plzeń-Bory; in prison, he became a friend of Vaclav Havel, future president of the Czech Republic. From 1986 to 1998, he was provincial of the Dominicans in Bohemia and Moravia. After the fall of Communism, he was elected president of the Federal Conference of Superiors Major. From 1990 to 1998, he was member of the Accreditation Commission of the Czech Government. He taught biblical sciences at the Sts. Cyril and Methodius' Faculty of Theology of the Palacky University in Olomouc. From 1992 until 1996, he was vice-president of the European Union of Superiors Major.
Episcopate. Elected bishop of Hradec Králové, June 6, 1998. Consecrated, September 26, 1998, cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Hradec Králové, by Karel Otcenášek, archbishop-bishop emeritus of Hradec Kálové, assisted by Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, archbishop of Prague, and by Giovanni Coppa, titular archbishop of Serta, nuncio to the Czech Republic. His episcopal motto is In Spiritu veritate. On October 28, 2001, he was awarded the First Grade Medal of Merit for the Czech Republic by the country's president. On June 2, 2003, he was awarded the Second Grade Cross of Merit by the minister of Defense of the Czech Republic. Beside leading the diocese of Hradec Králové, he was apostolic administrator of Litoměřice, Czech Republic, November 6, 2004 until October 4, 2008. On June 20, 2007, he was awarded the Grand Cross "Pro Piis Meritis" of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. On June 3, 2008, he received the First Grade Cross of Merit from the minister of Defense of the Czech Republic. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Prague, February 13, 2010; installed, the following April 10. After having served as vice-president from 2000 to 2004, he was elected president of the Czech Bishops Conference on April 21, 2010. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2011, at the papal Vatican basilica. He is member of the Ethical Forum of the Czech Republic; member of the Scientific Board of the Catholic Theological Faculty of the Charles University in Prague; of the Technical University in Liberec; of the University of Hradec Králové; and of the Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University in Hradec Králové. He is president of the Executive Council of the Czech Catholic Biblical Institute; member of the Center for Biblical Studies at the Evangelical Theological Faculty of the Charles University in Prague; member of the Confederation of the prisoners of State; editor-in-chief of the Salve - revue for theology, culture and spiritual life; member of the International Catholic Review Communio; and honorary president of the "Rodina sv. Zdislavy". He is a prolific writer (1).
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of Ss. Marcellino e Pietro on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life and of the Pontifical Council Iustitia et P ax on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his title on November 25, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life on March 29, 2014. On May 21, 2016, he was named special papal envoy to the solemn eucharistic celebration that, on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the birth of Saint Martin of Tours, took place in Szombathely, Hungary, on July 9, 2016. On April 21, 2018, he was named special papal envoy to the celebrations of the 1050th anniversary of the first episcopal see in Polish land, programmed for June 22-24, 2018 in Poznań. On May 13, 2022, the pope accepted his resignation from the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Prague and named Jan Graubner, until then archbishop of Olomouc, to succeed him. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on April 26, 2023.
Webgraphy. Photograph, arms and biography, in Czech, archdiocese of Prague; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; photograph, arms and biography, in English, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Duka: From dissent to the moral reconstruction of the Czech Republic, in English, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Zen backs Czech cardinal's support for China's believers, UCA News, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, April 14, 2016; Kardinal Duka: Katholischer Weltjugendtag 2022 nicht in Europa, Vatican News, 13 April 2018, 14:26; Czech cardinal criticizes tech censorship after Twitter account is suspended, Catholic News Agency, Nov 3, 2020 / 08:00 am MT; Czech cardinal: Coronavirus crisis is drawing people to the Catholic Church, The Catholic World Report, December 18, 2020; Archbishop Of Prague Calls COVID-19 China's Biological Weapon by Fahad Shabbir, UrduPoint News/Sputnik, Prague, Wed 17th February 2021 | 12:00 AM; Archbishop of Prague: Armenia is surrounded by enemies, question of its existence is raised even now, news.am, 11:17, 16.09.2021; Papa Francesco riceve i vescovi cechi e moravi. Assente il cardinal Dominik Duka colpito da Covid-19, Il Sismografo, venerdì 12 novembre 2021; Czech cardinal accuses Germany's Cardinal Marx of 'betraying' Pope Benedict by Christopher White, National Catholic Reporter, Rome, Feb 15, 2022; Czech Archbishop Duka defends Russian soldiers over rape of Ukrainian women, bne IntelliNews, April 29, 2022; Domani la Santa Sede dovrebbe annunciare la nomina del nuovo arcivescovo metropolita di Praga, Il Sismografo, giovedì 12 maggio 2022; Rinuncia e nomina dell’Arcivescovo Metropolita di Praha (Repubblica Ceca), Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 13.05.2022; Praga: il Cardinale Duka in pensione. Gli succede l'Arcivescovo di Olomouc by Marco Mancini, ACI Stampa, Praga, 13 maggio, 2022 / 12:30 AM; Gli 80 anni del card. ceco Dominik Duka. Probabile un Concistoro entro la fine del 2023, Il Sismografo, venerdì 21 aprile 2023; Gli 80 anni del Cardinale Duka: gli elettori sono 122 by Marco Mancini, ACI Stampa, Praga, mercoledì, 26. aprile, 2023 14:00.
(1) Among his numerous books are: Zapas o cloveka ("Struggle for a Man"); Uvod do studia Pisma svateho ("Introduction to the Biblical Studies"); Skola vnitrni modlitby ("School of Interior Prayer"); and Uvod do teologie ("Introduction to the Theology"). His participation and 30-year-long organization of the translation of the Jerusalem Bible to Czech, published in 2009, is of great significance. During the Communist regime he secretly published studies in the "samizdat"; and articles in Sursum. He now publishes in Salve - revue for theology, culture and spiritual life; and in Monitor; he is also an author of tens of articles in Czech as well as in foreign books, magazines and newspapers.
Birth. June 22, 1953, Duivendrecht, diocese of Haarlem, The Netherlands.
Education. After having studied medicine and obtaining a doctorate at the University of Amsterdam, he entered the Major Seminary of Roermond, in Rolduc te Kerkrade, where he studied philosophy and theology. Received the diaconate on September 15, 1984, from Joannes Baptist Matthijs Gijsen, bishop of Roermond in that major seminary. From 1985 to 1987, he finished his courses in medicine, obtaining a doctorate at the University of Leiden. He went to Rome and in 1989, he obtained a doctorate in moral philosophy at the Pontifical University of S. Tommaso d'Aquino; in 1990, the licentiate in theology.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 1, 1985, in the cathedral of St. Christoffel, Roermond, by Joannes Baptist Matthijs Gijsen, bishop of Roermond. From 1990, he taught moral theology at the Major Seminaries of Rolduc and of 's-Hertogenbosch; at the same time, he was prefect of studies at Rolduc. From 1994 to 1995, he was president of the Institute "Mater Ecclesiae Domesticae" (MEDO), Rolduc, for studies on the family. From 1996 until 1999, he was first docente and then professor of moral theology at the Theological Faculty of Lugano, Switzerland; at the same time, he continued teaching at the Major Seminary of Rolduc. From 1997 to 1999, he was a member of the International Theological Commission.
Episcopate. Elected bishop of Groningen-Leeuwarden, July 17, 1999. Consecrated, November 6, 1999, at the cathedral of Saint Joseph and Saint Martin, Groningen, by Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis, archbishop of Utrecht, assisted by Franciscus Jozef Maria Wiertz, bishop of Roermond, and by Sergio Lasam Utleg, bishop of Laoag. His episcopal motto is Noli recusare laborem. Counselor of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Utrecht, December 11, 2007. He was installed in the metropolitan cathedral of St. Catherine of Utrecht on January 26, 2008. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2008, at the papal Vatican basilica. Elected president of the episcopal conference of the Netherlands in 2011; occupied the post until 2016.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Callisto on that same day. Named member of the Congregations for the Clergy and for Catholic Education on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his title on May 17, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. He was confirmed as member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. He was named member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on February 6, 2014. On June 9, 2014, he was confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Clergy. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". Participated in the 14th General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place at the Vatican from October 4 to 25, 2015 on the theme "The vocation and mission of the family in the Church and in the contemporary world". On June 13, 2017, the pope named him ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Webgraphy. Photograph, arms and biography, in Dutch, Aartsbisdom.NL, Officiële website van het Aartbisdom Utrecht; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograpg and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; photographs, arms and biography, in Dutch, Wikipedia; photograph and biography, in Italian, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; The Cardinal of Utrecht, Willem Eijk: “Putting an end to human life means putting an end to freedom” by M. Chiara Biagioni, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 17 ottobre 2016; Dutch Cardinal: Bishops warned of euthanasia's slippery slope by 8/1/2017, By Jonathan Luxmoore, The Pilot, CNS, Oxford, England, 8/1/2017; Dutch cardinal: Don't underestimate power of Catholics as a 'creative minority' by Andrea Gagliarducci, The Pilot, CNA/EWTN News, Rome, Italy, Oct 3, 2017; Card. Willem Eijk: "doação de órgãos ‘post-mortem' é ato de caridade cristã", vaticannews.va, Cidade do Vaticano,27 fevereiro 2018, 15:41; The "Dubia" Have One More Cardinal, Holland's Willem Jacobus Eijk by Sandro Magister, Settimo Cielo, 05 mar 2018; Cardinal Eijk: Pope Francis Needed to Give Clarity on Intercommunion, National Catholic Register, May 7, 2018; Holanda: Arzobispo de Utrecht expresa su pésame tras tiroteo que dejó varios muertos, ACI Prensa, 18 de marzo de 2019 5:46 pm; Dutch Cardinal on Gender Ideology: It Sets the World ‘Against the Christian Faith’ by Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, May 17, 2019; Dutch cardinal: Priests should 'speak clearly' on assisted suicide by Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency, Vatican City, Dec 16, 2019 / 05:06 pm; Dutch cardinal says euthanasia ruling will not bring clarity by Christine Rousselle, Catholic News Agency, Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Apr 23, 2020 / 04:00 pm MT; End of Christianity? A Cardinal Analyzes the Case of Holland by Sandro Magister, Settimo Cielo, 21 set 2020; Dutch cardinal urges reluctant parishes to re-open for worshippers by Francesco Paloni - Katholiek Nieuwsblad, Crux, Jan 17, 2022, with audio; Pontifical Academy for Life Members’ Support for Assisted Suicide Draws Criticism by Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, Vatican City, February 21, 2022; Cardinal Eijk: Same-Sex Blessings Undermine Church Teaching on Marriage, Sexual Ethics by Carl Bunderson, National Catholic Register, September 30, 2022; Dutch cardinal asks pope for gender encyclical on gender theory, Crux, Katholiek Nieuwsblad, Nov 15, 2022; Il cardinale Wim Eijk chiede a Papa Francesco di mettere in guardia contro la teoria Gender by Roberto Conci, La Voce del Trentino, 21 Novembre 2022; Un documento papale sul gender: la richiesta del Cardinale Eijk by Andrea Gagliarducci, ACI Stampa, Roma, 25 novembre, 2022 / 2:00 PM; The ‘Pastoral Council’ and the Collapse of the Catholic Faith in the Netherlands by Solène Tadié, National Catholic Register, February 1, 2023.
Birth. February 25, 1947, Foligno, Italy. Second of the four children of Antonio Betori, a teacher, and Lina Martelloni, who were active members of the Catholic Action of Foligno.
Education. He attended the middle school and the gymnasium of the Episcopal Seminary of Foligno; and the lyceum of the Regional Seminary Umbro in Assisi; then, he was sent to study theology Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, as a student at the Pontifical Lombard Seminary, where he obtained a license in theology in 1970; later, after his priestly ordination, he completed his postgraduate studies in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, as a student of Collegio of S. Apollinare, earning a doctorate in Sacred Scriptures, summa cum laude, in January 1981, with the dissertation "Perseguitati a causa del Nome. Struttura dei racconti di persecuzione in Atti 1,12-8, 4" (published in that same year by the Institute "Analecta Biblica"); the relator was Father Dionisio Mínguez and the co-relator was Father Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and future cardinal.
Priesthood. Ordained, September 26, 1970, by Siro Silvestri, bishop of Foligno. Incardinated in the diocese of Foligno. From 1970 until 1991, he was member of the Presbyteral Council of the diocese of Foligno. Further studies in Rome. Diocesan assistant of the Catholic Action from October 1973 to September 1979. From September 1977 to September 1991, he was member of the secretariat of the Umbrian Regional Center for the Pastoral; and its director from March 1981 to June 1985. Director of the School of Theological Formation of Foligno from 1980 to 1991. In 1980, he was named ordinary member of Accademia Fulginia. Professor of fundamental theology, Biblical science and exegesis of the New Testament at the Theological Institute of Assisi; its director from 1982 to 1987. Simultaneously, parish priest of S. Michele Arcangelo in Cave, outskirts of Foligno, from August 1973 until January 1984. From December 1982, he was ecclesiastical assistant of the Center for Youth Pastoral "Istituto S. Carlo" of Foligno. He was canon of the chapter of the cathedral of S. Feliciano of Foligno from February 1984 to May 2001. From 1984 to 1991, he was member of Collegio dei consultori of the diocese of Foligno as well as member of Pastoral Council; and its secretary from December 1985 until September 1991. He was secretary general of the Diocesan Synod of Foligno, celebrated by Bishop Giovanni Benedetti from January 1986 to May 1991; he was a close collaborator of the bishop. From 1986 until 1991, he was member of the committee of the Italian Conference of Bishops (CEI) for the institutes of religious science. From October 1988 until September 1991, he was professor of Sacred Scriptures at the Superior Institute of Religious Science of Assisi. Director of the Regional Center for Pastoral. Assistant of the Center of Youth Pastoral of the Institute "S. Carlo", Foligno. From September 1991 until September 1996, he was director of the National Catechetical Office. Named chaplain of His Holiness on October 24, 1991. Coordinator of the secretariat of the Third Ecclesiastical Convention celebrated in Palermo from November 24 to 25, 1995. From 1995 to October 2008, he was member of the Commission of Vigilance of the Pontifical Lombard Seminary in Rome. Member of the preparatory committee for the celebration of the 23rd National Eucharistic Congress, held in Bologna from September 20 to 28, 1997, as member of the theological commission. From December 1997, he was dedicated to the preparation of the Fifteenth World Youth Day, held in Rome from August 15 to 20, 2000, as vice president of the Italian Committee responsible for organizing the event. In 1998, he was named ordinary member of the International Society of Franciscan Studies. Vice-President of the Italian Committee for the Fifteenth World Youth Day. Director of the Office of Catechism of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Undersecretary of the Episcopal Conference of Italy (CEI) from September 26, 1996 until April 5, 2001. At the request of the presidency and of the permanent council of the CEI, the pope appointed him secretary general of the conference.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Falerone, April 5, 2001, and appointed secretary general of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI). Consecrated, May 6, 2001, cathedral of S. Feliciano, Foligno, by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, vicar general of Rome, president of the Italian Episcoal Conference, assisted by Arduino Bertoldo, bishop of Foligno, by Ennio Antonelli, archbishop of Florence, by Antonio Buoncristiani, bishop of Porto-Santa Rufina, and by Giovanni Bendetti, bishop emeritus of Foligno. His episcopal motto is Deo et Verbo gratiae. On January 23, 2002, he was named member of Administrative Council of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, as representative of the CEI. As secretary general of the CEI, he prepared the Fourth National Ecclesiastical Congress celebrated in Verona, from October 16 to 20, 2006; and the encounter of Italian youth with Pope Benedict XVI in Loreto on September 1 to 2, 2007. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Florence, September 8, 2008. Grand chancellor of the Theological Faculty of Central Italy and moderator of the Superior Institute of Religious Science "Ippolito Galantini". He resigned as secretary general of the Italian Episcopal Conference on October 25, 2008. Entered the archdiocese on October 26, 2008. Elected president of the Tuscan Episcopal Conference on February 10, 2009. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2009 at the papal Vatican basilica. On November 5, 2011, he survived an apparent assassination attempt (1). On December 10, 2011, he was appointed a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture for a five-year renewable term. Among his publications are La Parola nel tempo della missione. Bibbia, cultura, comunicazione, Cinisello Balsamo (Milano), San Paolo, 2007; and Leggere la Bibbia nella Chiesa. Dalla Dei Verbum a oggi, Cinisello Balsamo (Milano), San Paolo, 2008.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Marcello on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education and of the Pontifical Council for Culture on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his title on June 9, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith"; president of its commission for the message. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. On March 29, 2014, he was confirmed as member of the Pontifical Council for Culture until the expiration of his mandate. On May 17, 2014, he was named member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. On June 9, 2014, he was named member of the Congregation for the Clergy. On July 1, 2017, he was named member of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
Webgraphy. Photograph, arms and biography, in Italian, archdiocese of Florence; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; arms and biography, in English, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Betori: Cardinal Ruini's tenacious follower, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; La Pira venerabile: card. Betori, “riconoscimento che colma tutti di gioia. Resta per Firenze un imprescindibile riferimento ideale”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 5 luglio 2018 @ 17:23; #PerMilleStrade: Firenze, il card. Betori ha accompagnato i giovani al termine del loro pellegrinaggio a Castelfiorentino, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 10 agosto 2018 @ 17:51; Terremoto in Toscana. Card. Betori: “La comunità strumento fondamentale per superare ogni ostacolo” by Daria Arduini, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 9 gennaio 2020; Papa Francesco benedice Firenze e la sua gente. La Lettera del cardinale Giuseppe Betori dopo il suo incontro con Bergoglio, firenzepost, Firenze, martedì, 17 Marzo 2020 12:13; Coronavirus Covid-19: card. Betori (Firenze) all’Ospedale di Santa Maria Nuova, “scorgiamo Gesù nei malati e sotto mascherina di medici e infermieri”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 18 aprile 2020 @ 18:56; Coronavirus Covid-19: card. Betori (Firenze) ai sacerdoti, “nell’annuncio essere testimoni di misericordia verso l’umanità ferita”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 18 giugno 2020 @ 18:47; Aborto: cardinale Betori, se 'privatizzato' la donna sarà ancora più sola by Domenico Mugnaini, Toscana Oggi, 15/08/202; Ma davvero il "per sempre" non esiste più? by Lucetta Scaraffia, Quotidiano.net, 19 dicembre 2020; Te Deum: card. Betori (Firenze), “il mondo è malato, abbiamo bisogno di una rinascita senza atteggiamenti predatori”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 31 dicembre 2020 @ 17:45; Betori: il Papa ci invita a tornare al suo discorso di Firenze by Domenico Mugnaini, Toscana Oggi, mercoledì 17 Febbraio 2021; Un poliedro come immagine della Chiesa. Dal Papa una delegazione di Firenze nel VII centenario della morte di Dante, L'Osservatore Romano, 04 giugno 2021; Licenziamenti alla Gkn: la vicinanza del mondo cattolico. Card. Betori: “Al centro ci siano le persone e la dignità del lavoro” by Pier Francesco Nesti, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 14 luglio 2021; Diocesi: Firenze, domani in tutte le parrocchie una preghiera per i lavoratori della Gkn. Card. Betori, “solidarietà per trovare una soluzione al problema”, Servizo Informazione Religiosa, 17 luglio 2021 @ 18:02; Papa Francesco a Firenze, il cardinale Betori presenterà rinuncia, gonews.it, 23 Dicembre 2021 15:07; Diocesi: card. Betori (Firenze), appello “a vaccinarsi come atto di amore verso gli altri, oltre che di oggettiva difesa dalle conseguenze più gravi per la salute personale”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 31 Dicembre 2021 @ 18:00; Cammino sinodale: diocesi Firenze, il 29 gennaio un incontro online. Card. Betori, “a tutti i fedeli chiesto un ascolto reciproco”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 26 Gennaio 2022 @ 18:51; Incontro vescovi e sindaci del Mediterraneo. Card. Betori (Firenze): “Vorrei che restasse un patrimonio della città” by M. Michela Nicolais, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 21 Febbraio 2022; Il Cardinale Betori illustra i contenuti l'incontro di vescovi e sindaci del Mediterraneo, ACI Stampa, Firenze, 22 febbraio, 2022 / 9:00 AM; Florence cardinal hopes papal visit will ‘revive the spirit’ of Italian city’s ‘holy mayor’, Catholic News Agency, Florence, Italy, Feb 22, 2022 / 06:00 am; Incontro vescovi e sindaci del Mediterraneo: card. Betori, “chiediamo per l’Ucraina gesti di pace", Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 27 Febbraio 2022 @ 13:17; Covid: cardinale Betori positivo, 'no sintomi rilevanti'. Più di 30 cardinali contagiati dall'inizio della pandemia, Il Sismografo, mercoledì 9 marzo 2022; Quaresima: Firenze, al via la XXV rassegna di musica sacra “O flos Colende” con le meditazioni condotte dal card. Betori, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 16 Marzo 2022 @ 18:53; Diocesi: card. Betori (Firenze), “dramma della guerra in Ucraina deve potersi nutrire di ragioni di speranza nella pace”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 7 Maggio 2022 @ 19:00; Papa Francesco-Betori, il grande gelo by Duccio Moschella, La Nazione, 2 giu 2022; Il Papa ha accettato le dimissioni Ma Betori resta: fino a quando? by Mauro Bonciani, Corriere Fiorentino, 3 giugno 2022 | 09:11; “Silere non possum“ all’attacco Sotto tiro il giornale dei vescovi by Duccio Moschella, La Nazione, 18 giu 2022; Opera Santa Croce: Firenze, domani celebrazione con il card. Betori, visita alle opere d’arte e pranzo per i poveri nel chiostro del Brunelleschi, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 13 Settembre 2022 @ 18:56; Diocesi: Foligno, sabato consegna del Premio “Giglio d’oro” al card. Betori e a mons. Buoncristiani, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 18 Gennaio 2023 @ 18:35.
(1) According to his biography in Wikipedia, linked above: "An unidentified man confronted the archbishop outside his office, shot and wounded the prelate's secretary, and waved a gun at the archbishop before escaping. Father Paolo Brogi, the archbishop's secretary, was reportedly in satisfactory condition after surgery to repair an abdominal wound. Archbishop Betori and witnesses stated that the gunman said something as he gestured toward the prelate with his firearm, but they could not understand his intent."
Birth. February 6, 1950, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America. Eldest of the five children (three boys and two girls) of the late Robert Dolan, an electrical engineer (+ 1977) and Shirley Jean Radcliffe (+ March 12, 2022).
Education. Initial studies at Holy Infant Grade School in Ballwin, Missouri; from 1964 to 1968, he studied at high school at St. Louis Preparatory Seminary South; then, he attended Cardinal Glennon College, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy; in 1972, he was sent to Rome, where he obtained license in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of S. Tommaso d'Aquino (Angelicum), residing at the Pontifical North American College; from 1979 to 1983, he studied at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., where he obtained a doctorate in American Church History; before completing the doctorate, he spent a year researching the late Archbishop Edwin O'Hara, a founder of the Catholic Biblical Association. Archbishop O'Hara's life and ministry was the subject of his doctoral dissertation.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 19, 1976, for the archdiocese of Saint Louis. He then served as associate pastor at Immacolata Parish in Richmond Heights, Missouri, until 1979, when he furthered his studies at The Catholic University in Washington. On his return to St. Louis, Father Dolan was assistant pastor at Curé of Ars parish in Shrewsbury, from 1983 to 1985; and at Little Flower parish, Richmond Heights, from 1985 to 1987; during that time he was also liaison for Archbishop John L. May in the restructuring of the college and theology programs of the archdiocesan seminary system. In 1987, he was appointed to a five-year term as secretary to the apostolic nunciature in Washington, D.C. When he returned to St. Louis in 1992, he was appointed vice rector of Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, serving also as director of spiritual formation and professor of church history. He was also an adjunct professor of theology at Saint Louis University. In 1994, he was appointed rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he served until June 2001. While in Rome, he also served as a visiting professor of church history at the Pontifical Gregorian University and as a faculty member in the Department of Ecumenical Theology at the Pontifical University of S. Tommaso d'Aquino.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Natchez and appointed auxiliary of St. Louis, June 19, 2001. Consecrated, August 15, 2001, at the cathedral basilica of St. Louis, by Justin Francis Rigali, archbishop of St. Louis, assisted by Joseph Fred Naumann, titular bishop of Capocilla, auxiliary of St. Louis, and by Michael John Sheridan, titular bishop of Tibica, auxiliary of St. Louis. His episcopal motto is Ad quem ibimus. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Milwaukee on June 25, 2002. He was installed as Milwaukee's 10th archbishop on August 28, 2002, at the cathedral of St. John the Evangelist by Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, papal nuncio to the United States. Received the pallium from Pope John Paul II on June 29, 2003 at the papal Vatican basilica. Transferred to the metropolitan see of New York, February 23, 2009. Installed by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States at Saint Patrick's cathedral on April 15, 2009. He is the 13th bishop and 10th archbishop of the see of New York. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2009, at the papal Vatican basilica. Elected president of the Episcopal Conference of the United States of America on November 16, 2010, for a three year term; occupied the post until November 12, 2013. In the Episcopal Conference of Catholic Bishops he was president of the board of directors of the Catholic Relief Services. He was also member of the Committee on Budget and Finance and of the Subcommittee on the Church in Africa; and consultor of the Committee on International Justice and Peace.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of Nostra Signora di Guadalupe a Monte Mario on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches; of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; and of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, April 21, 2012. Attended the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of the Christian faith". Took possession of his cardinalitial title on October 14, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. Confirmed as member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, until the expiration of his term, on February 19, 2014. Named member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on September 13, 2014. Participated in the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On April 25, 2023, the pope named him member of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for the fundamental questions of the evangelization in the world.
Bibliography. Boyle, Christina. An American cardinal: the biography of Cardinal Timothy Dolan. New York : St. Martin's Press, 2014; Dolan, Bob. Life lessons from my life with my brother, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan. Phoenix, AZ : Tau Publishing, 2011; Dolan, Timothy; Allen, Jr., John L. A people of hope: Archbishop Timothy Dolan in conversation with John L. Allen Jr. New York : Image Books, 2012. Contents: Who Dolan is. The Dolan story -- Challenges facing the Church. The sexual abuse crisis -- Women in the church -- Pelvic issues -- Faith and politics -- Authority and dissent -- Catholic faith and life. Affirmative orthodoxy -- Beyond purple ecclesiology -- Tribalism and its discontents -- Prayer and the sacraments -- Why be Catholic? -- Hope.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; photograph and biography, in English, archdiocese of New York; photograph and biography, in English, archdiocese of Milwaukee; biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; How can anyone be silent on this key civil rights question? by Timothy M. Dolan, in English, Journal Sentinel Inc., Sept. 28, 2008; New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan by Lauren E. Bohn, in English, Time US, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009; A New Leader for New York's Catholics, slide show, The New York Times; The Installation of Archbishop Dolan, slide show, The New York Times; The Gospel in the Digital Age, in English, his blog; Dolan: The American "pope", Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Cardinal Dolan's Batman pose by Mauro Pianta, Vatican Insider, 05/18/2012; Biography offers highlights in interesting life of New York cardinal by Brian T. Olszewski, The Boston Pilot, 1/16/2015; Vatican Reporter: Next Conclave May Be Dolan's, CBS Local Media, St. Louis, March 25, 2013 8:12 AM; A New Role for Cardinal Dolan in a Shifting Catholic Church by Sharon Otterman, The New York Times, May 23, 2014; Theologians critique Cardinal Dolan's defense of capitalism by Thomas Reese, S.J., National Catholic Reporter, Jun. 6, 2014; Timothy Cardinal Dolan will fight efforts in New York to legalize physician-assisted suicide, New York Daily News, Monday, February 9, 2015, 2:30 AM; Dolan Named Grand Marshal of St. Pat's Day Parade, NY1 News Monday, February 23, 2015 at 07:06 AM EST; Cardinal Dolan in op-ed criticizes Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric, The Catholic Sun, 07/30/15; Cardinal Dolan Gives Details Re Controversial "13 Cardinals' Letter" by John Burger, Aleteia, October 13, 2015; Cardinal Dolan Emphasizes Redemption In Westchester County Jail Visit by Aaron Miller, Armonk Daily Voice, 12/22/2015; Dolan: Catholic Conference will again push education tax credit by Keshia Clukey, POLITICONew York, 5:19 a.m. | Jan. 7, 2016; Cardinal Dolan decries 'extreme ideology' of conscience-protection opponents, CatholicCulture.org, January 15, 2016; Cardenal Dolan: Gran mayoría no apoya ideología extrema del aborto en Estados Unidos, AXI, Washington, D.C., 18 Ene. 16 / 04:42 pm; In Naples, Cardinal Dolan defends Pope Francis' comments on Trump by Maria Perez, The Naples Daily News, Feb. Naples, Florida, 18, 2016; Cardinal Timothy Dolan supports raising New York's minimum wage by Michael O'Loughlin, Crux, February 24, 2016; Cardinal Dolan lobbies Albany for prison reform, higher wage by Mike Groll, The Tribune, Albany, N.Y., March 15, 2016 2:02 PM; Carl Heastie snubs Cardinal Dolan during Albany visit by Kirstan Conley, New York Post, March 15, 2016 | 11:48pm; Cardinal Dolan: Can't March Madness Stop on Good Friday? by Joe Schaeffer, Newsmax, Monday, 21 Mar 2016 11:44 PM; Pope Francis, Timothy Cardinal Dolan offer prayers for victims of terrorism in Easter Sunday addresses bY Edgar Sandoval, Stephen Rex Brown New York Daily News, Sunday, March 27, 2016, 3:42 PM; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Cardenal Dolan: "Es irresponsable favorecer el acceso a la píldora abortiva", Zenit, Roma, 5 abril 2016; Cardinal Dolan insists papal text will be on marriage, not divorce by John L. Allen Jr., Crux, April 4, 2016; Cardinal Dolan slammed for 'secrecy' in priest porn case by Maura Grunlund, Staten Island, N.Y., silive.com, April 05, 2016 at 7:05 PM, updated April 05, 2016 at 9:01 PM; Timothy Cardinal Dolan tells CUNY/Daily News Citizenship NOW! hotline volunteers the Bible teaches people to love and welcome immigrants by Aidan Mclaughlin, Reuven Blau, New York Daily News, Wednesday, April 27, 2016, 10:57 PM; Cardinal Dolan Joins Protesters Demanding Collective Bargaining Rights for New York Farm Workers, NY1 News, Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 03:38 PM EDT; Timothy Cardinal Dolan ripped for delaying talk on child sex abuse , Daily News, New York, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, 10:36 PM; Archdiocese of New York preventing Illinois bishop from attaining sainthood by refusing to release his remains from St. Patrick's Cathedral by Barbara Ross, New York Daily News, Tuesday, June 14, 2016, 6:48 PM; Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori to Congress: Government's Coercion on Abortion Needs Immediate Remedy, National Right to Life News Today, July 8, 2016; Register Exclusive: Cardinal Dolan: World Youth Day Is 'Booster Shot of Hope' by Deborah Castellano Lubov, National Catholic Register, 07/30/2016; 15 años del 11S: Arzobispo de Nueva York preside oración por 343 bomberos fallecidos, ACI, Nueva York, 11 Sep. 16 / 10:01 am; Cardenal Dolan denuncia a falso grupo católico que promueve el aborto, ACI, Nueva York, 20 Sep. 16 / 07:27 pm; New York cardinal to participate in Trump inauguration by Rhina Guidos, CNS, Washington, 12/28/2016; Cardinal Dolan contemplates selling NY chancery in biting letter to priests by Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter, Jan. 11, 2017; Cardinal Dolan has a minute to read from Book of Wisdom at inauguration by Dennis Sadowsky, CNS, The Boston Pilot, Washington, 1/12/2017; Cardinal Dolan: ‘I’m in the Business of Hope’ by Matthew Bunson, National Catholic Register, Jan. 18, 2017; Cardinal Dolan Goes to Washington Can He Avoid Being a Prop for Power? by John Gehring, Commonweal Magazine, January 18, 2017 - 2:20pm; Cardinal Dolan Prays for Wisdom at Trump Inauguration by Matt Hadro, CNA/EWTN News, National Catholic Register, Jan. 20, 2017; Cardinal Dolan: If sanctuary of the womb is violated, no one is safe by Mark Pattison, The Pilot, CNS, Washington, 1/27/2017; Cardenal Dolan: El vientre materno es el santuario de la vida que el aborto destruye by Matt Hadro, ACI, Washington, 27 Ene. 17 / 05:31 pm; Cardinal Dolan op-ed urges passage of nationwide school choice bill, The Pilot, CNS, New York, 3/10/2017; Cardinal Dolan slams DNC pledge to support only pro-abortion candidates, The Boston Pilot/CNS, 4/27/2017; Whistleblowers group offers Cardinal Dolan support, criticism by Peter Feuerherd, National Catholic Reporter, New York, May. 9, 2017; Cardinal Dolan finds lesson in humility in life of Irish migrant who saw Our Lady by Kevin J. Jones, New York City, N.Y., The Boston Pilot, CNS/EWTN, May 24, 2017; Dolan presses White House on relief for persecuted Christians by John Allen, Inés San Martín and Claire Giangravè, Crux, May 25, 2017; Joy, a sign of God's presence, is what church needs, Cardinal Dolan says by Carol Zimmerman, The Boston Pilot, CNS, Orlando, Florida, 7/1/2017; Dolan: Pell’s response to abuse charges shows ‘mettle of a great man’ by John L. Allen Jr. and Ines San Martin, Crux, Orlando, Florida, July 4, 2017; Cardinals on Opposite Sides of the Hudson Reflect Two Paths of Catholicism by Sharon Otterman, The New York Times, July 16, 2017; Real story on Dolan and Tobin in NY? Try ‘America Past Acrimony’ by John L. Allen Jr., Crux, July 18, 2017; Cardinal Dolan finds cheeseburgers and paradise at favorite eatery by Joseph Kenny, Crux, St. Louis, Missouri, August 5, 2017; Dolan: Honesty about church’s flaws might win back fallen-away members by Peter Finney Jr., Crux, National Catholic Service, September 25, 2017; Cardinal urges passage of Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, The Pilot, CNS, Washington, 9/29/2017; Atentado terrorista en Manhattan deja 8 muertos: Cardenal condena "violencia sin sentido", ACI, Nueva York, 31 Oct. 17 / 04:07 pm; Cardinal Dolan Calls New Yorkers to Unite ‘in Faith and Love’ After Terror Attack, CNA/EWTN News, New York, Nov. 1, 2017; Cardenal Dolan: Impresiona la fe y la esperanza de Puerto Rico tras el huracán, video, ACI, Nueva York, 01 Nov. 17 / 09:36 pm; Abortion, assisted suicide focus of pro-life activities, says cardinal by Mark Pattison, The Pilot, CNS, Baltimore, 11/13/2017; Arzobispo de Nueva York invita a participar en campaña de oración “9 Días por la Vida”, ACI, 17 de enero de 2018 7:56 pm; Cardinal Dolan to Pro-Life Marchers: Be ‘Apostles of Life’ Armed With Love and Joy, National Catholic Register, CNA/EWTN News, Jan. 19, 2018; Cardinal Dolan invokes Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in march vigil homily by Mark Pattison, The Boston Pilot, CNS, Washington, 1/19/2018; ¿Hoy los católicos celebran San Valentín o Miércoles de Ceniza? Cardenal responde by Walter Sánchez Silva, ACI Prensa, 14 de febrero de 2018 12:21 pm; Cardinal Dolan hopes Supreme Court will uphold free speech, The Pilot, CNS, Washington, 3/20/2018; Cardenal Dolan: El Partido Demócrata ha abandonado a los católicos en Estados Unidos, ACI Prensa, 24 de marzo de 2018 9:37 pm; Cardinal says separating abortion from Title X funds 'greatly needed', The Boston Pilot, 5/18/2018; Cardenal Dolan: Lo que el Papa habría dicho a víctima de abusos es lo que diría Jesús, ACI Prensa, 23 de mayo de 2018 12:01 pm; Cardinal Dolan: Let's not capitulate to the abortion culture, The Boston Pilot, CNA, 6/12/2018; Cardinal Dolan: We Can’t Be ‘Neutral’ About Assisted Suicide, National Catholic Register, Jun. 13, 2018; Cardinal Dolan makes good points but ignores politics of abortion by Father Thomas Reese, S.J., National Catholic Reporter, Jun 14, 2018; Cardenal Dolan al movimiento provida: No nos rindamos ante la cultura del aborto, ACI Prensa, 15 de junio de 2018 6:08 pm; Fue desgarrador ver a niños migrantes sin sus padres, expresa Cardenal de Estados Unidos, ACI Prensa, 29 de junio de 2018 3:38 pm; Cardenal Dolan pide orar para que la ley defienda la vida desde el vientre en EEUU, ACI Prensa, 19 de julio de 2018 7:34 pm; Dolan praises St. Dominic at KofC convention, The Boston Pilot, CNA, Baltimore, Md., Aug 8, 2018; Cardinal Dolan Appoints New York Archdiocesan Investigator, National Catholic Register, CNA/EWTN News, New York City, Sep. 21, 2018; Cardinal Dolan ‘Impatient’ Waiting for Apostolic Visitation in Response to McCarrick Scandal, National Catholic Register, Catholic News Service, Sep. 21, 2018; Kardinal Dolan drängt auf Vatikan-Untersuchung, vaticannews.va, 22 September 2018, 12:44; Cardenal Dolan: Acusación de abuso contra Obispo Auxiliar de Nueva York es creíble, ACI Prensa, 31 de octubre de 2018 5:31 pm; New York bishop removed from public ministry pending review of abuse claim by Rhina Guidos, The Boston Pilot, CNS, 10/31/2018; Cardinal Dolan Urges Aid for Abuse Victims ‘No Matter Who Their Abuser Was’, National Catholic Register, CNA/EWTN News, Jan. 4, 2019; Cardinal Dolan Op-Ed Calls Out Gov. Cuomo for Abortion ‘Celebration,’ Church Dissent, National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, New York City, Jan. 30, 2019; Cardinal Dolan criticizes Cuomo for 'stinging criticism' of church, The Boston Pilot, CNS, New York, 1/30/2019; Dolan: Church loves, welcomes pregnant women, is 'honored' to serve them by Beth Griffin, The Boston Pilot, CNS, New York, 2/19/2019; New York cardinal celebrates Mass for Sri Lanka victims and families by Armando Machado, The Boston Pilot, CNS, Staten Island, N.Y., 5/14/2019; NY Cardinal says Vatican-Israel ties have made ‘world a better place’ by Christopher White, Crux, New York, Jun 21, 2019; Cardinal Dolan 'consulting extensively' about allegations against Buffalo Bishop Malone by Jonah McKeown, Catholic News Agency, New York City, N.Y., Sep 11, 2019 / 10:59 am; Rikers Island prison ‘has got to go,’ says New York cardinal by Christopher White, Crux, New York, Sep 20, 2019; Cardinal Dolan on Biden communion denial: 'I wouldn't do it' by Mary Farrow, Catholic News Agency, Washington D.C., Oct 31, 2019 / 04:58 pm; Cardinal urges New York bishops to find solace in St. Peter's example by Cindy Wooden, Catholic News Service, 11.14.2019 8:25 AM ET; Cardinal Dolan: Antisemitic attacks ‘sickening’ and must be ‘condemned completely’, Catholic News Agency, New York City, N.Y., Dec 29, 2019 / 04:02 pm; Cardinal Dolan Conducting ‘Vos Estis’ Investigation into Brooklyn's Bishop DiMarzio, Catholic News Agency, New York City, N.Y., Jan 18, 2020 / 09:05 pm; USA: Kardinal leitet Missbrauchsermittlungen gegen Bischof ein, vaticannews.va, 19 Januar 2020, 14:06; Editorial: Dolan investigating DiMarzio points up flaws of 'Vos Estis', National Catholic Reporter, Jan 24, 2020; With visit to Cuba’s Madonna, New York cardinal begins six-day trip by Rhina Guidos, Crux, Catholic News Service, Feb 10, 2020; Cardinal Dolan making pastoral visit to Cuba, Catholic News Agency, Havana, Cuba, Feb 10, 2020 / 03:45 pm; From Fifth Avenue to Camaguey, Cuba, cardinal's visit displays world ties by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Agency, Camagüey, Cuba, 2.10.2020 9:40 AM ET; Cardinal Dolan pays homage to revered Cuban priest who ministered in N.Y. by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Agency, Havana, 2.12.2020 11:00 AM ET; New York’s Cardinal Dolan meets with Cuban President Diaz-Canel in Havana by Rhina Guidos, Crux, Catholic News Service, Havana, Feb 12, 2020; El cardenal Dolan concluye una visita a Cuba para construir puentes, Alfa y Omega, 12 de Febrero de 2020; Cardinal Extends Church’s Concern for Cuba, Catholic New York, Thursday, February 13, 2020 5:05 pm; Cardinal's reflections provide much food for spiritual thought by Brian T. Olszewski, The Boston Pilot, 3/6/2020; Pope Francis expresses concern for New Yorkers amid coronavirus, Catholic News Agency, Vatican City, Apr 14, 2020 / 06:19 pm; Francisco llama al cardenal Dolan para expresar su amor y cercanía al pueblo de Nueva York by Deborah Castellano Lubov, Zenit, abril 17, 2020 11:47; The president and the prelates: parody or parable? by Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter, Apr 27, 2020; On Fox News, Cardinal Dolan praises Trump’s sensitivity to ‘feelings of the religious community’ by Michael J. O’Loughlin, America the Jesuit Review, April 27, 2020; Editorial: Dolan delivers the church to Trump and the GOP, National Catholic Reporter, Apr 28, 2020; Cardinal Dolan defends comments about Trump, argues he has critics on both sides by Michael J. O’Loughlin, America the Jesuit Review, May 01, 2020; Bishops' call with Trump raises ethical, legal issues by Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter, May 5, 2020; Faith leaders criticize New York Cardinal Dolan for praising Trump, Croix with Catholic News Service, May 5, 2020; When church leaders sound like presidential apologists by Heidi Schlumpf, National Catholic Reporter, May 6, 2020; Congregational leaders criticize Cardinal Dolan's remarks on Trump by Soli Salgado, Global Sisters Report, May 6, 2020; Cardinal Dolan's public flattery of Trump forgets a few things by Steven P. Millies, National Catholic Reporter, May 8, 2020; Sectarianism is at the heart of Dolan-Trump imbroglio by Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter, May 11, 2020; Cardinal says re-opening NY churches will differ ‘region by region, parish by parish’ by Christopher White, Crux, New York, May 22, 2020; A Telling Spell of Catholic ‘Leadership’ by John Gehring, Commonweal, May 22, 2020; Cardinal Dolan: Address systemic, institutional racism in the Archdiocese of New York, Catholic Parishioners of the New York Archdiocese Demanding Racial Justice, June 19, 2020; New York parishioners petition Dolan for a more forceful racism statement by Sarah Salvadore, Jun 26, 2020; Cardinal Dolan: Broad criticism of NYPD unfairly tarnishes police officers, The Boston Pilot, CNS, New York, 7/2/2020; Trump’s Language of Hate. Why Don’t Our Bishops Say Something? by John Connelly, Commonweal, July 7, 2020; Cardinal Dolan blesses ashes of Mexican nationals who died of COVID-19 by Rhina Guidos, Catholic News Service, Washington, 7.13.2020 4:52 PM ET; Exclusive: Dolan sends book on 'The Next Pope' to cardinals around the world by Joshua J. McElwee, National Catholic Reporter, Rome, Jul 14, 2020; Criticism of Cardinal Dolan letter 'silly,' Weigel publisher says by JD Flynn, Catholic News Agency, Denver Newsroom, Jul 14, 2020 / 06:30 pm MT; The problems with papal politicking by Heidi Schlumpf, National Catholic Reporter, Jul 16, 2020; Cardinal Dolan: Recent AP Story Sought to ‘Bash’ the Catholic Church by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, National Catholic Register, Jul. 15, 2020; Cardinal Dolan, George Weigel and the fraudulence of the neocon project by Michael Sean Winters, National Catholic Reporter, Jul 17, 2020; Trump, Congress urged to make 'access to quality education' a priority, The Boston Pilot, CNS, Irondale, 7/30/2020; Catholic schools are worth saving, The Boston Pilot, Friday, August 7, 2020; Cardinal Dolan will pray at Republican National Convention opening by Dennis Sadowski, Americam, The Jesuit Reviews, Catholic News Sevice, August 18, 2020; Cardinal Dolan to offer prayer at Republican National Convention by Christopher White, National Catholic Reporter, Aug 18, 2020; USA: Kardinal wird Trump-Parteitag mit Gebet eröffnen, Vatican News, 20 August 2020, 11:02, with audio; Cardinal Dolan of New York gives opening prayer at RNC by orey Crockett, PIX 11, New York, Aug 24, 2020, 9:28 PM; Read: Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s prayer at the Republican National Convention by Timothy Michael Dola, America, The Jesuit Review, August 24, 2020; Cardinal Dolan says ‘best candidate’ Barrett face 3 biases: ‘Woman, mother and Catholic’, Crux, Oct 1, 2020; Dolan says Barrett is 'best candidate' for SCOTUS seat, Catholic News Agency, Oct 1, 2020 / 02:00 pm MT; Cardinal Timothy Dolan: Supreme Court can root out Philadelphia's anti-Catholic bigotry by Timothy Dolan, USA Today, Nov. 4, 2020 5:01 a.m.; Kardinal Dolan: „McCarrick war charmant, er log - und es hat funktioniert", Vatican News, 12 November 2020, 12:04, with audio; Cardinal Dolan: Stories of persecuted Christians should move hearts, Catholic News Agency, Nov 22, 2020 / 03:13 am MT; Cardinal Dolan urges remembrance of persecuted Christians at Christmas, Catholic News Agency, Dec 19, 2020 / 03:01 pm MT; Cardenal Dolan condena ataque a Catedral de San Patricio, ACI Prensa, 7 de enero de 2021 - 2:12 PM; Cardinal Dolan accuses Trump of ‘stoking the flames’ in Capitol violence by John Lavenburg, Crux, New York, Jan 11, 2021; Fears about the Child Victims Act pushed New York Archbishop to act by Ferdie Rous, Catholic Herald, January 15, 2021 at 10:14 am; El miércoles es el día que la Iglesia recuerda a San José, afirma Cardenal, ACI Prensa, 26 de enero de 2021 - 7:08 PM; Cardinal Dolan quarantining after contact with COVID-positive individual, Catholic News Agency, Jan 29, 2021 / 06:27 pm MT; Cardinal Dolan implores Catholics to return to Sunday Mass by Matt Hadro, Catholic News Agency, Washington D.C., Apr 7, 2021 / 14:22 pm; Cardinal Dolan’s new book looks at lessons of lockdown by Charles C. Camosy, Crux, Jun 14, 2021; Cardinal Dolan emphasizes shared goals in appearance with Mormon leader, Catholic News Agency, South Bend, Ind., Jul 2, 2021 / 16:19 pm; Cardinal Dolan emphasizes hope amid global religious persecution by Christine Rousselle, Catholic News Agency, Washington D.C., Jul 16, 2021 / 05:40 am; Much Obliged by Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, La Croix International, August 25, 2021; A Q&A with Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan by Cindy Adams, New York Post, September 14, 2021 7:57pm; Brother's keeper - Dolan's DiMarzio probe and the future of 'Vos estis' by JD Flynn, The Pillar, Oct 12, 2021; Cardinal Dolan Outlines 7 ‘Non-Negotiables’ for the Synod on Synodality by Joe Bukuras, Catholic News Agency, New York City, N.Y., Oct 19, 2021 / 17:09 pm; Il Cardinale Dolan spiega i principi della autentica sinodalità, ACI Stampa, New York City, New York, 21 ottobre, 2021 / 10:00 AM; Cardinal Dolan: Human Rights Begin in the Womb by Jonah McKeown/CNA, National Catholic Register, New York, N.Y., October 24, 2021; Cardinal Timothy Dolan to Newsmax: 'Religion Is the Glue' to Fix Society's Crises by Eric Mack, Newsmax, Saturday, 01 January 2022 12:19 PM, with video; NYC's Bronx fire tragedy: Archbishop visits scene of horror, officials share ways public can help victims by Stephanie Pagones, Fox News, January 10, 2021; Cardinal Dolan laments attacks on houses of worship in Religious Freedom Day message by Christine Rousselle, Catholic News Agency, Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 15, 2022 / 12:47 pm; Cardinal Dolan visits Ukrainian church in NYC in sign of solidarity by John Lavenburg. Crux, New York, Feb 28, 2022; Cardinal Dolan's mother dies at 93; he thanks God 'for the gift she was, The Boston Pilot, Maplewood, Mo., Tuesday 15th of March 2022; A conversation with Cardinal Dolan ahead of mission to help Ukraine. by Deborah Castellano Lubov, Vatican News, 27 April 2022, 14:50, with video and audio; Le cardinal Dolan en route pour l'Ukraine, Entretien réalisé par Deborah Castellano Lubov, Vatican News, Cité du Vatican, 29 avril 2022, 08:37; “I thought I would see depression in Ukraine, but I found love for life and hope here,” Archbishop of New York Timothy Dolan, warinua.ecu.edu.ua, May 2, 2022; Cardinal Dolan talks Ukraine, refugee relief, Russian invasion by Kevin J. Jones, Catholic News Agency, Denver Newsroom, May 2, 2022 / 19:00 pm; Ucraina: card. Dolan (New York) a Leopoli, “pensavo di trovare una grande depressione. Colpito invece dalla vitalità e speranza” della popolazione, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 4 Maggio 2022 @ 9:00; Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori speak out against attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers since Supreme Court leak, America, The Jesuit Review, June 13, 2022; Service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral remembers victims of war in Ukraine, Catholic News Service, New York, June 14, 2022; Supreme Court Rules That Maine Cannot Discriminate Against Religious Schools Because They Teach Religion, United states Conference of Catholic Bihops, Public Affairs Office, Washington, June 21, 2022; Cardinal says Court decision allowing high school coach to pray a ‘major victory’ by John Lavenburg, Crux, New York, Jun 28, 2022; Three U.S. Cardinals Issue Statement in Support of Maronite Bishops, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, Washingtib, D.C., July 31, 2022; Cardinal Dolan on Curia Reform meeting: an opportunity to learn from those 'on front lines' by Deborah Castellano Lubov, Vatican News, 30 August 2022, 07:22, with audio; Archbishop Cupich, Cardinal Dolan join forces on transgender issue by J-P Mauro, Aleteia, 09/29/22; Suspect throws wrench through window of Cardinal Dolan’s residence at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Joe Marino and Gabrielle Fonrouge, New York Post, October 28, 2022 4:46pm; Arrest made in vandalism of Cardinal Dolan’s residence at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC by Joe Bukuras, Catholic News Agency, Boston, Mass., Nov 10, 2022 / 17:00 pm; Cardinal Dolan says Senate's marriage bill threatens religious liberty by Julie Asher, The Boston Pilot, Catholic News Service Nation, Friday 18th of November 2022, with audio; ‘Respect for Marriage’ Bill Would Undermine Religious Liberty, Cardinal Dolan Says by Matthew McDonald, National Catholic Register, Washington, November 21, 2022; Cardenal Dolan y el Obispo Robert Barron advierten al Senado que ley LGBT pone en riesgo de discriminación a la Iglesia, Zenit, Washington, noviembre 25, 2022 23:42; US cardinal says church grateful for ex-pope's ministry by Julie Asher, OSV News, ucanews.com, January 03, 2023 04:53 AM GMT; Cardenal de Nueva York se solidariza con la Iglesia católica de Nicaragua, artículo66, enero 19, 2023; Church must shift view 'from maintenance to mission,' New York Cardinal says by Tom Tracy, The Boston Pilot, OSV News, Boynton Beach, Fla., Monday 23rd of January 2023; U.S. Bishops’ Religious Liberty Chairman Comments on Leaked FBI Memorandum United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, February 16, 2023.
Birth. August 18, 1956, Cologne-Mülheim, Germany. Son of Alfons Woelki (1928-2014) and his wife, Elisabeth (*1929). He has a younger brother, Thomas, and a younger sister, Ursula. The reference to his home church, "Bruder Klaus" (Nicholas of Flüe, 1417-1487) is in his episcopal coat of arms; it is the wheel of the holy "Bruder".
Education. Primary education from 1963 at the "Katholische Volksschule" in Cologne, Mülheim; finished secondary education with the "Abitur" at the Hölderlin-Gymnasium in Cologne-Mülheim in 1977. From 1977 to 1978, he did his military service in the Panzerartillerielehrbataillon 95 in Munster, Örtze. After graduation and military service, he studied from 1978 to 1983, philosophy and theology at the Theological Faculties of the Friedrich-Wilhlems-University of Bonn and of the Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg im Breisgau. Entered the major seminary of the archdiocese of Cologne in 1984. He was ordained deacon on June 20, 1984, in the church of St. Peter, Düsseldorf-Friedrichstadt, by Hubert Luthe, titular bishop of Egabro and auxilary of Cologne. In 2000, he obtained a doctorate in theology at the Pontificia Università della Santa Croce, of the Opus Dei, in Rome; his dissertation was on the ecclesiology of the local parish: Die Pfarrei - ein Beitrag zu ihrer ekklesiologischen Ortsbestimmung.
Priesthood. Ordained, June 14, 1985, for the archdiocese of Cologne, at St. Peter metropolitan cathedral of Cologne, by Cardinal Joseph Höffner, archbishop of that see. He was incardinated in the archdiocese of Cologne. From 1985 to 1989, he was chaplain of Sankt Marien, Neuss. In 1985, he was also provost of the Kolpingfamilie, Neuss-Zentral. In 1989, for half a year, he was named military chaplain in Münster-Handorf. In 1990, he was named chaplain of Sankt Josef, Ratingen; he occupied the post for six months. From 1990 to 1997, he was chaplain and private secretary of Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne; during this time he had to deal with many people who had turned their concerns to the archbishop. From March 1, 1997 until his election to the episcopate in 2003, he was director of "Collegium Albertinum", boarding school for major seminarians of the archdiocese of Cologne studying at the Theological Faculty of the University of Bonn. Named chaplain of His Holiness on November 21, 1999.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Scampa and appointed auxiliary of Cologne, February 24, 2003. Consecrated, March 30, 2003, metropolitan cathedral of Cologne, by Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop of Cologne, assisted by Klaus Dick, titular bishop of Guzabeta, former auxiliary of Cologne, and by Norbert Trelle, titular bishop of Egnazia, auxiliary of Cologne. His episcopal motto is Nos sumus testes. On November 11, 2003, he was named canon of the metropolitan cathedral chapter of Cologne. Consultor of the Congregation for Catholic Education. In the Conference of German Bishops, he was member of the Commission for vocations and ecclesiastical ministries; and of the Commission for science and culture. From January 1, 2005, he was episcopal vicar for the permanent diaconate. From January 1, 2006, he was in charge of Pastoral Northern District of the archdiocese, which included the cities of Düsseldorf, Wuppertal, Neuss, Germany, Solingen and Oberbergischer Kreis, with a total of about 850,000 Catholics. On July 2, 2011, he was promoted by Pope Benedict XVI to the metropolitan see of Berlin, after his election by the high metropolitan chapter of Berlin. Installed as archbishop of Berlin on August 27, 2011. Member of the council "Vocations and Religious Services" (since October 2006) and head of the council "Caritas" of the German Bishops Conference. Consultor of the Congregation for Catholic Education (since October 2011).
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Giovanni Maria Vianney on that same day. At the time of his cardinalitial promotion he was the youngest member of the College of Cardinals. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education and of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity on April 21, 2012. Received the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI in the papal Vatican basilica on June 29, 2012. Took possession of his title on June 30, 2012. Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. On April 29, 2014, he was named member of the Congregation for the Clergy. Transferred to the metropolitan see of Cologne on July 11, 2014. Took possession of the see on September 20, 2014. Received the pallium from Nikola Eterović, titular archbishop of Cibale, nuncio to Germany on September 27, 2014 in the metropolitan cathedral St. Peter of Cologne. On March 24, 2015, he was named member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. He was granted an honorary doctorate in theology by Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, on March 9, 2016. On March 10, 2016, he was named special papal envoy in Luxembourg for the closing of the Octave of Our Lady, Consoler of the Afflicted, on the 350th anniversary of her election as Patroness of the City of Luxembourg, programmed for May 1, 2016. Cardinal Woelki will take a "spiritual sabbatical" after a Vatican investigation found he did nothing illegal in his handling of clerical sex abuse allegations, but he did contribute to a "crisis of trust" in his archdiocese. Earlier in September after a long conversation with the pope, they agreed, at the the cardinal's request, that he will take a break from mid-October 2021 until March 1, 2022 because it was "obvious that the cardinal and the archdiocese need a time of pause, renewal and reconciliation." On October 12, 2021, the pope named Rolf Steinhäuser, auxiliary bishop of Cologne, apostolic administrator sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the metropolitan see of Cologne.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biographical data, in German, archdiocese of Cologne; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; interview, domradio.de; Colonia, il cardinale Woelki succede al "mentore" Meisner by Iacopo Scaramuzzi, Vatican Insider, 11/07/2014; Vatican Appoints 'New Generation' Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki Head Of Cologne Archdiocese, Reuters, 07/16/2014 11:13 am EDT; Cardinal Rainer Woelki said Christian persecution was not a topic of 'bygone ages', Catholic Herald, 19 Feb 2016; Woelki: An Twitter und Facebook führt kein Weg vorbei, Vatican News, 22 März 2018, 14:38; Zerwürfnis über Kommunion Woelki und weitere Bischöfe schicken Brandbrief an Vatikan by Joachim Frank, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, Köln, 04.04.18, 12:58 Uhr; Seven German Bishops Ask Vatican to Block Intercommunion Proposal by Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, Apr. 4, 2018; Vatican Rejects German Bishops’ Intercommunion Proposal by Edward Pentin, National Catholic Register, Apr. 18, 2018; Cardenal asegura que la Eucaristía es el corazón palpitante de la Iglesia, ACI Prensa, 2 de junio de 2018 6:59 pm; Germania: card. Woelki (Colonia), “come per la Nazionale ai Mondiali anche nella Chiesa spesso mancano passione ed entusiasmo”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 16 luglio 2018 @ 17:19; German Cardinal: ‘The Church Stands for Truths That Transcend Time’ by Martin Rothweiler, National Catholic Register, EWTN, Feb. 20, 2019; No podemos inventar una nueva Iglesia, dice Cardenal alemán, ACI Prensa, 21 de febrero de 2019 6:07 pm; Los católicos no podemos estar nunca de acuerdo con el aborto, recuerda Cardenal, ACI Prensa, 23 de febrero de 2019 7:42 pm; Cardenal agradece al Papa por su aliento en carta a la Iglesia en Alemania, ACI Prensa, 29 de junio de 2019 3:31 pm; Iglesia en Alemania debe atender indicaciones del Papa Francisco, dice Cardenal, ACI Prensa, 6 de septiembre de 2019 1:52 pm; Cardenal alemán afirma que dar Comunión a protestantes significa no respetar la fe, ACI Prensa, 8 de septiembre de 2019 4:35 pm; D: Kardinal Woelki gegen Diskussion über Priesterweihe für Frauen, Vatican News, 09 September 2019, 17:15; 'Take the pope very seriously!' Cardinal Woelki tells German bishops, Catholic News Agency, Fulda, Germany, Sep 24, 2019 / 12:10 pm; Cologne archbishop joins Cardinal Tagle to officiate mass for feast of Immaculate Conception by Leslie Ann Aquino, Manila Bulletin, December 6, 2019, 11:59 AM; German lay leader condemns cardinal for opposing 'synodal way', Catholic News Agency, Cologne, Germany, Feb 3, 2020 / 11:30 am; D: Kardinal Woelki verteidigt Nein zum Frauenpriestertum, Vatican News, 17 Februar 2020, 10:55; Cardinal Woelki: “We need more women superiors of priests” by Mada Jurado, Novena, February 18, 2020 3:00 pm; D: Missbrauchs-Bericht wird erst später veröffentlicht, Vatican News, 11 März 2020, 11:27; German cardinal says it’s 'high time' to restore public Masses, Catholic News Agency, Apr 17, 2020 / 02:00 pm; Germany’s Catholic Bishops Divided Over Vatican Instruction on Parishes, National Catholic Register, Catholic News Agency, Trier, Germany, Jul. 23, 2020; Kardinal Woelki: „Wir schaffen das!“, Vatican News, 30 August 2020, 09:58, with audio; D: Kardinal Woelki warnt vor Kirchenspaltung durch Reformdebatte, Vatican News, 17 September 2020, 09:40; Cologne cardinal warns German church's Synodal Path could cause schism, Catholic Herald, September 18, 2020 at 10:40 am; Sinodalità e universalità, Settimana, 19 settembre 2020; D: Kardinal Woelki für rasche Zahlung an Missbrauchsopfer, Vatican News, 20 September 2020, 08:04, with audio; Kardinal Woelki: „Dem Wort Gottes nichts hinzufügen”, Vatican News, 23 September 2020, 10:21; Woelki: „Es ist verheimlicht worden“, Vatican News, 19 November 2020, 13:47; German survivors accuse Cardinal Woelki of ‘abuse of abuse victims’, Catholic News Service, Munich, November 19, 2020; German government commissioner for child sex abuse blasts Cardinal Woelki for “massive mistake” of not publishing cover-up report by Cameron Doody, Novena, November 24, 2020; Abusi: Colonia, una diocesi nel caos, Settimana News, 12 dicembre 2020; German Church in turmoil after refusing to publish abuse findings by Delphine Nerbollier, La Croix International, December 14, 2020; Aumentan críticas contra Cardenal alemán acusado de mal manejo de casos de abuso, ACI Prensa, 8 de enero de 2021 - 7:41 PM; Journalists reject Cologne’s confidentiality agreement by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 17 January 2021; Germany: Calls for cardinal to release report on sexual abuse of minors, DW, 29.01.2021; Catholics still angry with German cardinal who's refused to publish sex abuse report Delphine Nerbollier, La Croix International, February 3, 2021; Crisis deepens in Cologne as cardinal pins hopes on March abuse report, National Catholic Reporter, Cologne, Germany, Feb 3, 2020; Germania: card. Woelki (Colonia) su gestione casi di abuso in diocesi, “abbiamo perso la fiducia e io porto la responsabilità degli errori commessi”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 4 febbraio 2021 @ 19:23; German archbishop under fire over clergy sex abuse report, AP News, February 5, 2021; Abusi su minori “tenuti nascosti” nella diocesi di Colonia, il mea culpa del cardinal Woelk, Il Faro, 05 Febbraio 2021 - 19:27; CDF rumoured to back Woelki’s handling of abuse case by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 11 February 2021; Rhineland Protestants add to pressure on Cardinal Woelki by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 16 February 2021; D: Woelki bedauert „tiefe Risse im Erzbistum“, Vatican News, 20 Februar 2021, 12:46, with audio; Cologne Archdiocese awaits potentially explosive report on abuse by Donald Snyder, National Catholic Reporter, Mar 17, 2021; Diocesi di Colonia, il cardinale Woelki cede e pubblica l'elenco degli abusi: «Mi vergogno». Più di 380 vittime, 243 molestatori by Franca Giansoldati, Il Messaggero, Città del Vaticano, 18 marzo 2021; Cologne diocese abuse scandal: Investigators identify suspects by Christoph Strack, dw.com, Cologne, 18.03.2021; Il cardinale Woelki solleva all'incarico i sacerdoti citati nel rapporto Gecke. Presentata l'indagine independente sulla gestione dgli abusi sessuali nell'Arcidiocesi di Colonia, Comunicato, Arcidiocesi di Colonia, Il Sismografo, giovedì 18 marzo 2021; Le silence du cardinal révolte les catholiques allemands by Christophe Bourdoiseau, 24heures.cu, Il Sismografo, giovedì 18 marzo 2021; Violences sexuelles: opération vérité du cardinal de Cologne pour désamorcer la crise, Le Figaro avec AFP, 18/03/2021 à 04:45; Informe exonera a cardenal alemán y detecta falta de documentos sobre abusos, sissinfo.com, EFE, Berlín, 18 marzo 2021 - 10:18; Terremoto nella diocesi di Colonia dopo un rapporto sugli abusi, askanews, Città del Vaticano, giovedì 18 marzo 2021 - 14:55; Germania: rapporto sulla lotta agli abusi nell’arcidiocesi di Colonia by Isabella Piro, Vatican News, Città del Vaticano, 18 marzo 2021, 16:30; Woelki cleared in Cologne abuse report by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 19 March 2021; El cardenal de Colonia admite un “encubrimiento sistémico” de abusos a menores, Hola News, March 23, 2021; Germania: card. Woelki (Colonia), ammesse negligenze nei casi di abusi. Alle vittime, “venite, vi ascolterò”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 23 marzo 2021 @ 16:57; German cardinal refuses to resign, asks to change church law, UCA News, March 24, 2021 06:42 AM GMT; German cardinal takes further action in wake of independent abuse report, Catholic Herald, March 26, 2021 at 2:27 pm; L'indagine independete sulla gestione degli abusi sessuali nell'Arcidiocesi di Colonia sarà ora tradotta in inglese, Arcidiocesi di Colonia, Il Sismografo, venerdì 26 marzo 2021; Woelki calls for stronger law on clerical sex abuse by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 08 April 2021; Woelki, declarado persona non grata en una parroquia de Düsseldorf by José Luis Gómez de Segura, Religión Digital, 24.05.2021; Apostolische Visitation kommt ins Erzbistum Köln, Erzbistum Köln, 28. Mai 2021; Pope Francis orders apostolic visitation of Cardinal Woelki’s Cologne archdiocese, Catholic News Agency, Cologne, Germany, May 28, 2021 / 05:38 am; Apostolische Visitation kommt ins Erzbistum Köln, CNA Deutsch, Köln, 28 May, 2021 / 12:02 AM; Comisión vaticana analizará casos de abusos en la archidiócesis de Colonia, EFE, swissinfo.ch, Berlín, 28 may, 2021; Il Papa dispone una visita apostolica nell’Arcidiocesi di Colonia by Isabella Piro, Vatican News, Città del Vaticano, 28 maggio 2021, 15:20; Papa Francisco ordena visita apostólica a la Arquidiócesis de Colonia en Alemania, ACI Prensa, 28 de mayo de 2021 - 8:15 PM; El cardenal de Colonia considera "un apoyo" la inspección vaticana por abusos, EFE, swissinfo.ch, Berlín, 29 mayo 2021 - 11:58; Agressions sexuelles: le pape ordonne une enquête au diocèse de Cologne L'Union, 28/05/2021 22:57; Credibilidad de la Iglesia Católica: algo anda mal en el arzobispado de Colonia by Christoph Strack, DW, Deutsche Welle, 31.05.2021; Pope orders Vatican inquiery into the Archdiocese of Cologne by Marlo Tresca, La Croix International, May 31, 2021; Visitazione apostolica alla diocesi di Colonia by Marcello Neri, Settimana News, 1 giugno 2021; Woelki: Asumo mi responsabilidad, pero no dimito by Jesús Bastante, Religión Digital, 21.06.2021; The ongoing crisis of confidence in the Archdiocese of Cologne by Xavier Le Normand, La Croix International, Jul 2, 2021; Missbrauch: Köln hätte erstes Gutachten fast veröffentlicht, Vatican News, 07 August 2021, 10:50; Results of Apostolic Visitation of Germany’s Cologne Archdiocese Sent to Vatican, National Catholic Register, Cologne, Germany, August 9, 2021; Cardinal Woelki confirms conservative views | free press, Cologne, The Courier, Augusy 15, 2021; Colonia: il Cardinale Woelki resta Arcivescovo ma si prende alcuni mesi di pausa by Marco Mancini, ACI Stampa, Colonia, 24 settembre, 2021 / 2:00 PM; Pope Francis confirms Cardinal Woelki in post after apostolic visitation of Germany’s Cologne archdiocese, Catholic News Agency, Vatican City, Cologne, Germany, Sep 24, 2021 / 04:25 am; Pope Francis orders German cardinal whose handling of abuse created a ‘crisis of trust’ to take a sabbatical by Cindy Wooden, America, The Jesuit Review, September 24, 2021; El Papa ordena a Woelki un retiro de seis meses y le reprocha "graves errores", pero le mantendrá en el cargo by Jesús Bastante, Religión Digital, 24.09.2021; Germania: card. Woelki, “ho commesso errori nel gestire i casi di abuso e ho fatto errori nella comunicazione”. Arcivescovo di Colonia mantiene l’incarico, ora un periodo di silenzio, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 24 Settembre 2021 @ 13:23; Alemanha: Cardeal de Colónia afasta-se temporariamente da arquidiocese, Agência Ecclesia, Set 24, 2021 - 17:37; Pope refuses resignation of German Cardinal Woelki, grants 6-month leave by Christopher White, National Catholic Reporter, Sep 24, 2021; Papa Francesco sospende per 6 mesi il cardinale Woelki per come sono stati gestiti gli abusi a Colonia by Franca Giansoldati, Il Mattino, Città del Vaticano, venerdì 24 Settembre 2021; German Catholics bewildered over Woelki decision by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 28 September 2021; Germania: l'arcivesco di Colonia Woelki da domani "in retiro spirituale", Agenzia Nova, Il Sismografo, lunedì 11 ottobre 2021; Nomina dell’Amministratore Apostolico sede plena et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis dell’Arcidiocesi Metropolitana di Köln (Germania), Sala Stampa della Santa Sede, 12.10.2021; Arcidiocesi di Colonia, comincia il tempo di riflessione del Cardinale Woelki by Andrea Gagliarducci, ACI Stampa, Colonia, 12 ottobre, 2021 / 1:00 AM; Cologne cardinal spent €2.8m on lawyers' fees by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 10 December 2021; Vatican to investigate German archdiocese's finances, once cardinal returns from sabbatical, Katholische Nachrichten-Agentur, National Catholic Reporter, Cologne, Germany, Jan 5, 2022; Top German bishop doubts ‘fresh start’ after abuse crisis, AP News, Berlin, February 5, 2022; Nella diocesi di Colonia sempre meno probabile il rientro dell'arcivescovo card. Rainer Maria Woelki, Il Sismografo, giovedì 17 febbraio 2022; Diocesi di Colonia: Cardinale Woelki torno ma non si sa come sera ricevuto o se resta, Il Sismografo, giovedì 24 febbraio 2022; Köln: Weihbischof hofft auf Aussöhnung im Erzbistum, Vatican News, 23 Februar 2022, 16:46; Colonia, il Cardinale Woelki presenta nuovamente le dimissioni a Papa Francesco by Marco Mancini , ACI Stampa, Colonia, 02 marzo, 2022 / 2:30 PM; Pedofilia, il cardinale Woelki offre le sue dimissioni al Papa: è coinvolto nelle accuse di occultamento di casi di violenza su minori, il Fatto Quotidiano, 2 Marzo 2022; German archbishop offers resignation on return from timeout by Gwir Moulson, AP News, March 2, 2022; Woelki presenta su dimisión al Papa, acosado por su inacción en los casos de abusos a menores by Jesús Bastante, Religióm Digitsl, 02.03.2022; Pedofilia: il cardinale di Colonia offre le dimissioni al Papa, Rai News, 02 Marzo 2022; German church urges quick decision on divisive archbishop, AP news, March 7, 2022; Germany: Cologne cardinal calls pope 'old man', DW, April 3, 2022; Alemania: Cardenal de Colonia llama al Papa «viejo», notimundo, 3 de abril de 2022; Calls for Vatican to act quickly over Woelki by Christa Pongratz-Lippitt, The Tablet, 14 April 2022; Vatican Backs Cardinal Woelki Over Abuse Study Contracts, National Catholic Register, May 3, 2022; Vatican exonerates Cardinal Woelki in financial investigation, National Catholic Register, Catholic News Service, Cologne, Germany, May 4, 2022; El papa pide tiempo para decidir sobre cardenal alemán Woelki, Deutsche Welle, 24.07.2022; D: Ruf nach Neuanfang im Erzbistum Köln, Vatican News, 15 August 2022, 11:18; D: Weder „Verleumdung“ noch „üble Nachrede“, Vatican News, 17 August 2022, 11:50; D: Anzeige gegen Woelki - Staatsanwalt ermittelt, Vatican News, 11 September 2022, 10:20; Investigaciones contra el obispo alemán Woelki, News.ESEuro, Septiembre 11, 2022; Theology school backed by Woelki runs into increased criticism, CNS, The Tablet, 23 September 2022; Basilica Vaticana: vietata la messa ad un cardinale, Silere non possum, lunedì, 03 ottobre 2022; Per molti la situazione dell'arcivescovo di Colonia, card. Woelki, è poco trasparente, Il Sismografo, domenica 16 ottobre 2022; Bishop Bode and Cardinal Woelki" Is There a 'Double Standard' in Germany With Respect to Mishandling of Abusive Priests by Edawrd Pentin, National Catholic Register, Vatican City, October 23, 2022; Colonia: uscire dalla crisi by Markus Schwarz, SettimanaNews, 6 novembre 2022; German prosecutors probe cardinal over affidavit, dw.com, November 9, 2022; D: Staatsanwaltschaft ermittelt gegen Kardinal Woelki, Vatican News, 09 November 2022, 17:11; Further proceedings initiated against Cardinal Woelki by David Sadler, GlobeEcho, Nov 24, 2022; Crisis of confidence over cardinal shakes Cologne Catholics by Kirsten Grieshaber, AP News, December 9, 2022; Woelki: Einheit mit Papst und Weltkirche spezifisch katholisch, Vatican News, 27 Dezember 2022, 12:49; Woelki, el cardenal que ha ‘matado’ el Camino Sinodal alemán by Mateo González Alonso, Vida Nueva Digital, 25/01/2023; Church: Woelki: Ukraine war low point in the history of civilization, indonewyork.com, 09 April 2023 Sunday 05:29; Court bans German newspaper from making allegations against Archbishop of Cologne by Emmanuel Thomas, Startconnect Media, 2023/04/26 at 7:49 PM.
Birth. July 31, 1939, Hong Kong. Of non-Catholic parents. He is the eldest of three children (with a sister and a brother who is currently living in Canada). When he was two years old, the Japanese invasion made the family to move to Macao. Then his parents, because of the dangers of war, entrusted him to his paternal grandmother, who lived in a village in Guangdong province. When the war ended, the family was reunited in Canton. His mother was the first to receive baptism and she was followed by all the other members of the family. When his father contracted tuberculosis, the mother supported the family working as a teacher.
Education. He started elementary school in Canton; in 1951, he entered the Sminary of St. Joseph in Macao; in 1957, after finishing high school, he went to the Holy Spirit Seminary, Hong Kong, where he studied study philosophy and theology. then, he studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, obtaining a master's degree in philosophy; later, in 1964, he was sent to Rome to study at the Pontifical Urbanian University, where he obtained a licentiate and a doctorate in dogmatic theology.
Priesthood. Ordained, January 6, 1966, patriarchal Vatican basilica, by Pope Paul VI. When he returned to Hong Kong, he resided at the Holy Spirit Seminary, where he continued to live after his election to the episcopate. He was a professor of theology at the Faculty of Theology, of the Holy Spirit Seminary College, Aberdeen, from 1970-1973; its dean, 1973-1979; executive director of the seminary, Holy Spirit Study Centre, Aberdeen: Executive Director from 1980; chief editor of Tripod magazine from 1980; Council of Priests: elected member 1980-1981; Holy Spirit Seminary Extramural Studies Office, Aberdeen: director 1983-1990; Council of Priests: elected member 1985-1987; Appointed Vicar General of Cardinal John Baptist Wu, bishop of Hong Kong, 1992; Board of Diocesan Consultor, 1992; Diocesan Personnel Commission, 1992; Council of Priests, Ex-Officio 1992; Administration of the Bishop's Office, 1992; Committee for the On-going Formation of the Clergy, chairperson 1994; Diocesan Commission for Pastoral Services to Filipino Migrants, chairperson 1994; The Hong Kong Catholic Board of Communications, chairperson 1994. In 1995, he participated in the negotiations conducted in view of the transition of Hong Kong, the former British colony, to the jurisdiction of the Popular Republic of China.
Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Bossa and appointed auxiliary of Hong Kong (Xianggang), September 13, 1996. Consecrated, December 9, 1996, at the cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, by Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung, bishop of Hong Kong, assisted by Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, archbishop emeritus of Tōkyō, Japan, and by Charles Asa Schleck, C.S.C., titular archbishop of Africa, secretary adjunct of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. His episcopal motto is Dominis pastor meus. Rector of the Holy Spirit Seminary, 1999-2009. Named coadjutor bishop of Hong Kong, January 30, 2008. In August 2008, he participated at the opening of the Olympics in the stadium in Beijing, by official invitation. Succeeded to the see of Hong Kong, April 15, 2009. Co-ordination of the following Ministries: Apostolates and the work of Diocesan Bodies from 1996; Apostleship of the Sea; Prison Chaplaincy; Diocesan Ecumenical Commission; The Hong Kong Catholic Board of Communications; Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office; The Diocesan Weeklies (Kung Kao Po / Sunday Examiner); Diocesan Audio-Visual Centre; Holy Spirit Study Centre; Applications and Extensions of Visas for Clergy, Missionaries and Religious at the Immigration Department and Consulate Applications for Sabbatical Leave; Further Studies of Diocesan Clergy.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of Regina Apostolorum on that same day. Named member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his title on April 22, 2012. Named member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organizational and Economical Problems of the Holy See on June 23, 2012. On June 30, 2012, he was named one of the three presidents delegate of the Thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which took place from October 7 to 28, 2012, on the theme "The new evangelization for the transmission of Christian faith". Participated in the conclave of March 12 to 13, 2013, which elected Pope Francis. Named member of the Congregation for Catholic Education on November 30, 2013. He was named member of the Council for the Economy for a quinquennium on March 8, 2014. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On August 1, 2017, the Pope accepted his resignation from the pastoral government of the diocese of Hong Kong. He was succeeded by Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, until then coadjutor of that diocese, who commenced his episcopal ministry as bishop of Hong Kong on August 5, 2017. He is the director of the Holy Spirit Study Center is the leading Catholic institution on matters related to the church in China and it works for the formation of Chinese clergy. On January 5, 2019, he was named apostolic administrator of Hong Kong after the death of his successor, Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, on January 3, 2019. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on July 31, 2019. Will cease as apostolic administrator of Hong Kong when the new bishop, Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.I., named to the Hong Kong see on May 18, 2021, until then Provincial of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus, takes possession of the see. Ceased as apostolic administrator of Hong Kong when Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, S.I., was consecrated and took possession of the see on December 4, 2021.
Bibliography. Bransom, Jr., Charles N. Revue des ordinations épiscopales. Mango, Florida : Bransom, 1997, n. 5-6, p. 50; Brender, Andreas ; Kierein-Kuenring, Mandred D. Catholic Hierarchy in China since 1307. Cluj-Napoca, 2012, pp. 186 and 246.
Webgraphy. Photograph, arms and biography, in English and Chinese, diocese of Hong Kong; photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his photograph, arms and biography, in English, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Tong Hon: The seventh Chinese cardinal by Gerald O'Connor, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; AP Interview: New Hong Kong cardinal wants to serve as bridge between government, Vatican by Associated Press, Published: February 16, 2012, The Washington Post; Gratitude, patience, waiting. Three words for the Church in China. Interview with the new Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong, by Gianni Valente, 30Days In the Church and in the world, international monthly magazine directed by Giulio Andreotti, from WITNESSES, Year XXIX, issue no. 01/02 - 2012; The Chinese cardinal who once danced on the streets to show his patriotism by Gerard O'Connell, Vatican Insider, 03/ 9/2012; Chiesa e China, la saggezza de Tong by Andrea Tornielli, in Italian, Sacri Palazzi, 03/12/2012; The Vatican and China can reach "win-win" accord Cardinal Tong says, Vatican Insider, 03/13/2012; Card. Tong: China-Vatican dialogue crucial to resolve situation of Shanghai's new bishop by Gerard O'Connell, Vatican Insider, 07/14/2012; Cardinal Tong: China has honoured Matteo Ricci, now it is the Church's turn to do so by Gerard O'Connell, Vatican Insider, 03/ 7/2014; Hong Kong prelate appeals to Beijing over church crosses, UCA News reporter, Hong Kong, August 13, 2015; Hong Kong Cardinal Tong says he was not invited to Synod on Family, UCA News reporter, Hong Kong, August 31, 2015; Hong Kong cardinal rejects redefining marriage, Hong Kong, UCA News, October 5, 2015; Hong Kong cardinal defends pope's message to Beijing, UCA News, February 4, 2016; Cardinal Tong rebuffs criticism on China-Vatican negotiations, UCA News, Hong Kong, China, August 5, 2016; Cardenal de Hong Kong: Posible acuerdo entre Vaticano y gobierno chino, ACI Prensa, Roma, 08 Ago. 16 / 08:23 pm; Chinese underground bishops 'cannot be recognized', UCA News, February 16, 2017; Cardenal de Hong Kong: Nombramiento de obispos al centro de negociaciones Vaticano - China by Miguel Pérez Pichel, ACI Prensa, Pekín, 21 Feb. 17 / 02:30 am; Cardinal Tong strikes optimistic note on Vatican-China relations by Gail DeGeorge, National Catholic Reporter, Hong Kong, Mar. 7, 2017; Cardinal Tong asks incoming Hong Kong premier for reform, UCA News, Hong Kong, March 30, 2017; Hong Kong Catholics, Lutherans endorse ecumenical study, UCA News, Hong Kong, July 20, 2017; Which way will church-state relations turn in Hong Kong? by John Mok Chit-wai, Hong Kong, UCA News, July 28, 2017; Pope names coadjutor to Hong Kong as Cardinal Tong retires as bishop, The Boston Pilot, CNS, Vatican City, Aug. 1, 2017; Yeung appointed Bishop of Hong Kong in tough political times by Michael Sainsbury, Hong Kong, UCA News, August 2, 2017; Korean Catholic media and HK Diocese researchers join forces, UCA News, January 17, 2018; Hong Kong cardinal: Dialogue between Christianity, China indispensable by Carol Glatz, The Boston Pilot, CNS, Vatican City, 3/22/2018; Card Tong appointed Apostolic Administrator of Hong Kong by Paul Wang, AsiaNews.it, 01/07/2019, 12.56; Cardinals visit former Holy See official hurt in car crash, UCA News, Honng Kong, May 3, 2019; Card. Tong and Christian leader: Ok for Carrie Lam apology, but withdraw extradition law by Paul Wang, Asianews.com, Hong Kong, China, 06/19/2019, 12.23; Card. Tong: Stop the clashes, let's think about our young people, AsiaNews.it, Hong Kong, China, 07/05/2019, 10.32; Hong Kong cardinal calls for non-violent resistance, UCA News, Hong Kong, October 22, 2019; Cardinal Tong appeals for peace in Hong Kong, Vatican News, 25 November 2019, 12:54, with video; Card. Tong: For Christmas, no to violence, an independent investigation, support for democracy, Hong Kong, AsiaNews.it, 12/21/2019, 10.54; Coronavirus, the diocese of Hong Kong suspends masses to avoid contagions, AsiaNews.it, Hong Kong, China, 02/13/2020, 13.31; Reprise des messes publiques à Hong Kong à partir du 1er juin, Vatican News, 26 mai 2020, 12:01; New Hong Kong laws will have 'no effect' on religious freedom says cardinal, Catholic News Agency, Jun 24, 2020 / 02:05 pm MT; Hong Kong cardinal says new security law will not limit religious freedom by Elise Ann Allen, Crux, Rome, Jun 26, 2020; Hong Kong. Cardenal Tong Hon: Desempleo y medidas anti covid devasta las familias by Alina Tufani, Vatican News, Ciudad del Vaticano, 01 agosto 2020, 15:26; Hong Kong cardinal warns priests to ‘watch your language’ in homilies by Ed Condon, Catholic Herald, Catholic News Agency, September 1, 2020 at 10:43 pm; Hong Kong cardinal urges unity during social turmoil, UCA News, September 24, 2020 05:46 AM GMT; Hong Kong: Cardinal calls for unity among faithful during social turmoil, Vatican News English Section, 28 September 2020, 12:06; 'Parish Renewal' at heart of Hong Kong Cardinal's Advent message by Lisa Zengarini, Vatican News, 07 December 2020, 19:44; Hong Kong: card. Tong (amministratore apostolico), “navigheremo ancora attraverso acque agitate. Restiamo però gli uni accanto agli altri”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 21 dicembre 2020 @ 14:52; Hong Kongs Kardinal zu Weihnachten: Corona erfordert mehr Liebe, Vatican News, 22 Dezember 2020, 12:59; Asia - I Cardinali asiatici: solidarietà al Myanmar, appello per la pace e la democrazia, Agenzia Fides, Manila, mercoledì, 24 marzo 2021.
Birth. May 23, 1931, village of Ferneziu (now in the district of Baia Mare), eparchy of Maramureş, Romania. Tenth of the twelve children of Petru Mureşan and Maria Breban. He belongs to the Romanian Greek Catholic rite.
Education. He studied at the primary school in Ferneziu, from 1938 to 1944; later, from 1944 to 1948, in the lyceum Gheorghe Şincai. The education reform of 1948 prohibited all religions in the schools in the country; especially by Decree no. 358 of 1948 of the Grand National Assembly, the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, united with Rome, was brutally suppressed and declared illegal and because of this, Lucian's hope to train and become a priest became unachievable and he withdrew from school. Between 1948 and 1951, he attended woodworking school (fine furniture) in Baia Mare, and continued, part-time, his education to complete the lyceal studies. From 1951 to 1954, he did military service, which was compulsory at that time, in the aviation school in Turnişor (Sibiu). After finishing his military training, he was deployed to the jet aviation battalion in Craiova. In 1953, because of his belonging to the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, he was considered an undesirable person and transferred from the aviation battalion to work building the first hydroelectric plant of the country, in Bicaz. In 1954, he left Bicaz and waiting for an opportunity to study theology secretly, he worked in different places. At the suggestion of Bishop Julius Hossu and the blessing of Bishop Alexander Russu, at the proposal of Prof. Dr. Silviu Augustine Prunduş (released from prison in 1955), Bishop Iulia Marton Aron of Alba agreed to receive, as an exception, five young students, one for each diocese of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, in the Institutul Teologic Romano-Catolic of Alba Iulia for the academic degree; among them was Lucian. In the fourth year of studies, the rector of the institute told him and the other student that remained from the original five, that they were expelled by the Department of Cults and that within 24 hours they were required to leave not only the Institute but also the city. In terms of ecclesiastical and canon laws there was no reason for expulsion. He returned to his native place. The expulsion coincided with the beginning of the persecution and prosecution by the Securitate. For a year he looked for work in mining companies and construction sites but was rejected on the grounds that he was a Catholic theologian. After a year, he managed to find a job as a laborer in the stone quarry in Ferneziu, where he worked for almost 10 years. When he was persecuted there, he transferred to the Department of Roads and Bridges, in the county of Maramureş, where he worked until his retirement in June 1990. Despite persecution, intimidation and threats, he did not give up his dream of becoming a priest, continuing underground studies, with former teachers from the theological academy who were fugitives. All underground students took their licensing exam. In 1964, a pardon decree was issued and the bishops were released from prison. Then his dream was fulfilled.
Priesthood. Ordained, December 19, 1964, by Ioan Dragomir, titular bishop of Palaeopoli in Pamfilia, auxiliary of Maramureş. Initially, exercised his pastoral ministry clandestinely, while working in the quarry and then in the Department of Roads and Bridges; his pastoral ministry was mostly dedicated to the youth and to those who wanted to become priests; later, he worked as a priest more openly especially in the diocese of Maramureş; the clergy of his rite asked him to reorganize its pastoral ministry. After the death of Bishop Dragomir on April 25, 1985, he exercised the function of provisional Ordinarius of the diocese of Maramureş until August 9, 1986; and from this date, at the selection and proposal of the diocesan chapter, he was installed in property by Metropolitan Archbishop Alexander Todea of Făgăras şi Alba Iulia of the Romanians. In December 1989, the Romanian Revolution occurred, the Communist government was forcibly overthrown and the head of state was executed. Shortly after, the Romanian Greek Catholic Church was legalized.
Episcopate. Elected eparch of Maramureş of the Romanians, March 14, 1990. Consecrated, May 27, 1990, in the esplanade of the Romanian Soldier Monument, in Baia Mare, by Alexandru Todea, archbishop of Făgăras şi Alba Iulia of the Romanians, assisted by Ioan Ploscaru, bishop of Lugoj of the Romanians, and by Guido del Mestri, titular archbishop of Tuscamia, former nuncio to Germany, in the presence of 100 priests and more than 20,000 faithful. The esplanade was symbolically adorned with a huge rosary of red carnations. It was the first meeting of the entire Greek-Catholic hierarchy gathered in a large-scale public event and in the presence of a papal representative. In the ceremony, a decree-law from the president of the Republic recognizing him as bishop was read. His episcopal motto is Fiat voluntas tuas. He opened the Baia Mare Theological Institute, in the academic school year 1990-1991. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Făgăras şi Alba Iulia of the Romanians, July 4, 1994. On August 27, 1994, he was installed in Blaj. Attended the Ninth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 29, 1994. He initiated the reconstruction of the metropolitan cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, in Bournemouth, which was completed in 1994. He convoked and participated in the four sessions of the Fourth Provincial Council of the Greek Catholic Romanian Church, held between 1995 and 1998. Participated, in 1995, in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Romanian Catholic Mission in Paris, for which he celebrated Mass in Romanian in the metropolitan cathedral of Notre Dame. In August 1997, due to his effort, the remains of Bishop Ioan Inocenţi Micu were brought to the cathedral of Blaj (founded by him), Romania from Rome, where he had died in exile 252 years earlier. In 1997, he obtained the nihil obstat from the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints to open the canonization process of the seven Greek-Catholic bishops who were martyred during the Communist regime. Between 1998-2001 and then again in 2004, he was elected president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Romania, which includes the hierarchy of the Catholic Church of both rites, Latin (Roman Catholic) and Eastern (Greek Catholic). On May 7 to 9, 1999, he hosted Pope John Paul II during his visit to Romania. Attended Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 1 to 23, 1999. In the Jubilee Year 2000, he organized a national pilgrimage to Rome, which culminated with a concelebrated Mass in Romanian with Pope John Paul II, in the patriarchal Vatican basilica, with the participation of thousands of Romanian pilgrims. On May 26, 2003, he was named member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches. Attended the Eleventh General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 23, 2005. Promoted to the rank of archbishop major on December 16, 2005, when Pope Benedict XVI recognized the self-governing status of the Romanian Greek Catholic Church, raising its traditional head, the metropolitan of Făgăras şi Alba Iulia, to the rank of major archbishop.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the title of S. Atanasio on that same day. He had reached age 80 before being created cardinal, so was not eligible to participate in a conclave. Named member of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches on April 21, 2012. Took possession of his title, S. Atanasio, on October 8, 2012. Participated in Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 19, 2014, on the theme "The pastoral challenges of the family in the context of the Evangelization". On June 6, 2015, he was awarded the Ordinul National “Steaua Romaniei” with the grade of Officer by President Klaus Iohannis of Romania.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; photograph and biography, in Romanian, Biserica Romậnă Unitaăcu Roma, Greco-Catolică; Enthronement of the Romanian Greek Catholic Major Archbishop His Beatitude Lucian Mureşan, Eastern Rite Catholic Filipinos; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Mureşan: The promoter of dialogue, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012; Il neo-cardinale romeno Lucian Mureşan: «Essere sacerdote, il dono più grande» by Padre Andrian Danca - Radio Vaticana, in Italian, Avvenire, 18 febbraio 2012; Cardenal Lucian Mureşan, de Rumanía: “Pedro está aquí. Para confirmarnos en la fe”, Zenit, junio 02, 2019 14:18; Cardinal Lucian, in Easter Pastoral: Our Ukrainian brothers, sisters are not alone in their suffering, Nine O'Clock, April 18, 2022; Romênia. Cardeal Mureșan: nossos irmãos da Ucrânia não estão sozinhos, Vatican News, 19 abril 2022, 17:39, with audio; Romania: card. Muresan, “our brothers and sisters from Ukraine are not alone in their pain. Together, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 19 Aprile 2022 @ 14:24; Parole del Cardinale Mureșan all'apertura del Sinodo 4 giugno 2022; Discorso di ringraziamento rivolto da Sua Beatitudine, il Cardinale Mureșan Blaj, Cattedrale della Santissima Trinità – 5 giugno 2022; Romania: card. Muresan, “coloro che devono fuggire a causa delle violenze e della povertà sono la Sacra Famiglia dei nostri giorni”, Servizio Informazione Religiosa, 16 Dicembre 2022 @ 18:32.
Birth. April 19, 1920, Fouches, near Hachy (now Arlon), Belgium. Son of Firmin Ries, who was a farmer, and Clémentine Hardy. He was baptized in the parish Saint Hubert, Fouches. His baptismal name was Julien-Camille. A polyglot, he spoke French, Greek, Latin, German and Luxembourgish, among other languages.
Education. After finishing primary education in Fouches, he entered in 1933 the Séminaire Bastogne in Namur and graduated in 1939. From 1939 he studied for two semesters classical philology and philosophy at the University of Namur. In 1941, he entered the Theological Seminary of the Diocese of Namur and studied theology and philosophy. After his priestly ordination, he continued his studies in Namur and the Université Catholique de Louvain and earned a licentiate in theology in 1948; and a licentiate in Eastern philology and history in 1949. In 1953 he obtained a doctorate summa cum laude in theology at the same university; the title of his thesis, published in 1957 in Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses, was "The influence of the writings of the New Testament of the Coptic Manichaean Eucologio Medinet Madi" (Les rapports de la christologie manichéenne avec le Nouveau Testament dans l'eucologe copte de Narmouthis (Medinet Mâdi)); it was supervised by Monsignors Lucien Cerfaux and Louis Théophile Lefort.
Priesthood. Ordained, August 12, 1945, at the cathedral Saint-Alban in Namur, by André Charue, bishop of Namur; he was incardinated in the diocese of Namur. From 1949 to 1950, he was chaplain in Martelange, Saint Martin, while studying for his doctorate. After finishing further studies, he was chaplain and teacher of religion at the Athénee Royal d'Athus from 1950 to 1959; then, pastor and dean of the parish of Saint Jacob in Messancy from 1959 to 1968; and pastor of the parish of Saint Materne in Suarlée from 1968 to 2000. Professor of history of religions at Université Catholique (in 1969 named Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve) from 1960 until 1985; after his retirement, he became visiting professor of the same chair from 1985 until 1990. In 1969, during the transfer of the French-speaking part of the university of Louvain and its reconstruction in Louvain-la-Neuve, he was responsible of the creation of the Center Cerfaux-Lefort in order to reorganize the university library. He served in the Centre until 2011, dealing with large collections of books and journals for Louvain-la-Neuve, for the countries of Eastern Europe and francophone Africa. On the occasion of his retirement he received four Commemoratives from his collegues. Visiting professor at the Institut Catholique de Paris and the Faculté de Théologie de Lugano (Switzerland). Together with Philippe Delhaye and Gustave Thils, he was founder of the Revue Théologique de Louvain in 1970; and it's secretary until 1976. From 1975 to 1980, he was head of the Institute for Oriental Studies and founder of Centre d'Histoire des Religions at that university. From 1979 to 1985, he was member of Pontifical Council for Religious Dialog. The Académie Française granted him the prize Dumas-Millier in 1986 for his publications on the theme of the Sacred Scriptures; and the prize Furtado in 1987 for the whole of his scientific work. Honored in 1996 with the Premio Capri-San Michele (Milan). Since 2000 he ws chaplain of the Familia Spiritualis Opus (The spiritual family "The Work") in Villers Saint Amand. After his retirement he was guest professor at the Institut Catholique de Paris, France, and the faculty of theology at the University of Lugano, Switzerland. In 2009, he donated his books and papers to the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan. He received an honorary degree from the Faculty of Education Université Catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve. Received a doctorate honoris causa in philosophy and bioethics from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan on October 27, 2010. Named prelate of honor of His Holiness in 2010. Member of the boards of the review The Museon (Louvain); and L'aventure humaine (Milan and Paris). Member of following scientific societies: Société asiatique (Paris); Société Ernest Renan (Paris); Association internationale des études patristiques (Oxford); International Association for the History of Religions (Beirut); International Association for Coptic Studies (Rome); Association des écrivains croyants d'expression française (Paris); Deutsche Vereinigung für Religionsgeschichte (Darmstadt); Società italiana di storia delle religioni (Rome); Forschungsgruppe fü Anthropologie und Religionsgeschichte (Saarbrüücken); Association internationale pour l'étude des religions préhistoriques et ethnologiques (Valcamonica); Association belgo-luxembourgeoise d'histoire des religions; Accademia internazionale di scienza e cultura (Milan). He was grand officer of the Ordre de Léopold; grand office of the Ordre de Léopold II; and knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was the author of over 650 works, published in fifteen languages (1). Called "greatest living religions scholar" and "God's anthropologist", after the split of the Catholic University of Louvain, Monsignor Ries together with Monsignor Philippe Delhaye, founded the Centre Cerfaux Lefort in 1969, with the aim of collecting books and reviews for the University library. By the time of his resignation in 2011, Monsignor Ries had managed to collect some 1,600,000 volumes. The Centre d'Histoire des Religions of the University of Louvain was re-named after him. Together with the University of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL), he created a center for education in Africa, sending it 75,000 books in 2011.
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Belcastro on January 23, 2012. Consecrated on February 11, 2012, at the parish church Notre Dame in Villers Saint-Amand, by Giacinto Berloco, titular archbishop of Fidene, nuncio in Belgium, assisted by Remy Victor Vancottem, bishop of Namur, and by Guy Harpigny, bishop of Tournai. His episcopal motto was Caritas Christi urget nos.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Antonio di Padova a Circonvallazione Appia on that same day. He had reached age 80 before being created cardinal, so was not eligible to participate in a conclave. Took possession of his deaconry on October 20, 2012. The publishing house L'Editoriale Jaca Book, Milan, is preparing the "Opera Omnia" of the cardinal; the work will be divided into twelve thematic parts, which will include some of his still unpublished essays.
Death. February 23, 2013, at 1:20 p.m., in the clinic Notre Dame, Tournai, Belgium, after having been hospitalized since February 1, suffering from cardiac insufficiency. Upon learning of his death, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for the eternal repose of his soul and sent Guy Harpigny, bishop of Tournai, a telegram of condolence (2). The funeral mass for the late cardinal, presided by Giacinto Berloco, titular archbishop of Fidene, nuncio in Belgium, and concelebrated by Guy Harpigny, bishop of Tournai, by Remy Vancottem, bishop of Namur, by Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., archbishop of Luxembourg, and by several priests, took place in the cathedral of Tournai. Present at the ceremony were Premier Ministre Elio di Rupo; Rudy Demotte, minister-president of the Region Wallonne, and Bourgmestre en titre of Tournai; a delegation of professors of the University of Louvain, in togas; representatives of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, in capes; and a large number of faithful. Nuncio Berloco also delivered the homily.The late cardinal was buried in the afternoon of March 2, in the cemetery beside the church of Notre Dame in Villers Saint-Amand.
Webgraphy. Biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; works and biography, in Italian, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Archivio Julien Ries, in Italian, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan; Inaugurazione con Julien Ries, in Italian, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, October 27, 2010; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Intervista a Julien Ries - Università Cattolica, in French and Italian, YouTube; Bibliografia Julien Ries, in Italian, Zam; photograph, works and biographical data, in French, Éditions du CERF, Paris; Books by Julien Ries, in English, Goodreads; his works, in Italian, Internet Bookshop Italia; "Mankind has been religious even from the time of the Australopithecus Lucy", in English, interview with Andrea Tornielli, Vatican Insider, January 7, 2012; Monseigneur Julien Ries, video, interview in French, YouTube, January 7, 2012; L'Athois Julien Ries est Evêque avant d'être Cardinal..., in French, Cité des Géants, samedi, 11 février 2012; photo album of the episcopal consecration, Cité des Géants; Ordination Espicopale de Mgr Julien Ries, video, YouTube, 11 février 2012; Julien Ries: la vera sfida è sulla persona by Lorenzo Fazzini, in Italian, Avvenire, 15 febbraio 2012; Ries: God's anthropologist, Vatican Insider, 02/15/2012; Ecce Homo religiosus, InfoCatho.be, mardi, 07 août 2012; Ries: uomo e sacro, legame imprescindibile, Cultura, Avvenire, 21 agosto 2012; Le Cardinal Ries est décédé, Info.Catho.be, samedi, 23 février 2013; Belgische kardinaal Julien Ries is overleden , deredactie.be, 23 februari 2013 22:36; La muerte del cardenal Julien Ries, Vatican Insider, 02/23/2013; Le cardinal Julien Ries s'est éteint en Belgique, Radio Vatican, 2013-02-23 16:13:08.
(1) The most complete and updated list of his works (until 2008) is in the book Religious Anthropology, section "Expressions of culture and art", pp. 132-176.
(2) This is the text of the telegram, taken fron the Press Office of the Holy See:
Son Excellence Monseigneur Guy Harpigny
Évéque de Torunai
Apprenant avec émotion le décés du Cardinal Julien Ries, je vous adresse mes vives condoléances ainsi qu'à sa famille et à ses proches. Que le Seigneur accueille dans la
lumière de la vie éternelle cet éminent homme de foi qui a fidélement servi l'Èglise. Par l'enseignement et la recherche, particuliérement dans le domaine de l'histoire
de religions dont il était un spécialiste reconnu, il a toujours eu le souci de témoigner de sa foi parmi ses contemporains, dans un espirit de dialogue. En gage de reéconfort, je
vous adresse une particulière beénédiction apostolique, ainsi qu'à la famille du cardinal défunt, à ses proches, aux religieuses de la Famille de l'Œuvre qui
l'ont entouré, et à toutes les personnes qui prendront part à la célébration des obseèques.
Analogous telegram was sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary of State.
Birth. December 24, 1925, Vittoriosa (Birgu), Malta. Son of Vincent Grech and Amelia Gatt. His baptismal name was Stanley. He is an only child. His first name is also listed as Prospero.
Education. Primary education at Mater Boni Consilii school, Paola; and at St. Catherine's, Sliema; secondary education at Malta Lyceum; then, went to the University of London; and later, in 1942, to the Royal University of Malta, where he started studying medicine but gave it up during the first year; then, served as anti-aircraft gunner of the University Home Guard (RMA) during the Second World War. Entered the Order of Saint Augustine (Augustinian) in the province of Malta in 1943; professed, October 8, 1944; took the name Prosper; he studied philosophy for two years at St. Mark's Priory, Rabat, Malta; sent to Rome in 1946, he studied theology for four years at Collegio Internazionale Agostiniano S. Monica; in 1951, he attended a summer course on educational psychology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and obtained a diploma; he obtained a licentiate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome; and in 1953, he earned a doctorate in theology from the same university with the thesis "The Atonement and God in Modern English Theology"; in 1954, he obtained a licentiate, summa cum laude, in Sacred Scriptures from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome; and in that same year, he did an archeological visit to the Holy Land; he conducted research in Semitic languages at Oxford University, 1957-1958; and at Cambridge University, 1958-1959, as research assistant to Professor A. J. Arberry, to help him in his studies on Maltese literature and on Dun Karm; continued Hebrew studies under Professor Winton-Thomas. Besides his native Maltese, he knew English, Italian, French, German, Dutch, Latin, Greek and Hebrew.
Priesthood. Ordained, March 25, 1950, in the patriarchal Lateran basilica, Rome. Further studies, 1950 to 1954. Returned to Malta in 1954 and taught for two years at the Augustinian Theological College and at Mater Admirabilis Training College, in Rabat. Further studies in England, 1957 to 1959. Returned to Malta in 1959 and for another two years taught at the Augustinian Theological college and at Mater Admirabilis. Invited twice to deliver lectures on apologetics by the Royal University of Malta to science students. He delivered various public lectures on cultural subject at the British Institute, Valletta. In 1961, he was sent to Rome to complete his thesis in biblical studies, but was selected as secretary of the Vatican Vicariate by Peter Canisius van Lierde, O.S.A., titular bishop of Porfireone, papal sacristan and vicar of His Holiness for Vatican City. In that position he took part in the conclave that elected Pope Paul VI on June 21, 1963. He heard the last confession of the Cardinal Archbishop of Milan, Giovanni Battista Montini, in June 1963, before he was elected Pope Paul VI. In 1965 he was named president of the Istituto Teologico Augustinianum, and lectured there as ordinary professor. He continued his studies and writings on biblical matters. In 1970, together with Father Agostino Trapé, he founded the Istituto Patristico Augustinianum in Rome; in 1971 he was elected its first president and held the post until 1979; he is still a lecturer at the institute. He was member of the commission for the preparation of the document Sapientia christiana, at the time the magna carta of all pontifical universities. Also in 1970, he was invited to lecture on hermeneutics at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, which he did until 2002. From 1971 until 1989, he also lectured in biblical theology at the Pontifical Lateran University. He organized, chaired or participated in, by means of lectures and papers, numerous international and local congresses on the Bible and hermeneutics and on patristics, in Italy and abroad. Member of the Societas Novi Testamenti; and of the Association Patristique Internationale. Consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from 1984 to the present. Invited to lecture at the Accademia dei Lincei in Rome; at the Consiglio Nazioinale delle Ricerche; and to collaborate with the Enciclopedia Italiana Treccani. In 1998, he was nominated apostolic visitor to seminaries in India. From 2002 to 2003, he was member of ecumenical commissions for talks with representatives of the Orthodox Church in Sofia, Bulgaria. In 2003, he was nominated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, member of the Pontifical Theological Academy. In 2004, he was nominated member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. He received his country's highest decoration, the National Order of Merit, in the rank of Companion, from President George Abela of Malta, on December 13, 2011, in ceremonies at the presidential palace commemorating the 37th anniversary of Malta as a republic. He was a lecturer at Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta (LUMSA), in Rome. He was a member of Collegio Santa Monica, Rome. He was listed in Who's Who in Biblical Studies and Archeology, 1993; and in International Who's Who. He was still riding his scooter in Rome until very late in life (1).
Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of San Leone on January 18, 2012. Consecrated, February 8, 2012, at 6 p.m., in St. John's co-cathedral in Valletta, by Paul Cremona, O.P., archbishop of Malta, assisted by Cardinal-elect Giuseppe Versaldi, archbishop-bishop emeritus of Alessandria, president of the prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, and by Mario Grech, bishop of Gozo. Present at the ceremony were President George Abela of Malta; the prime minister, Lawrence Gonzi; the leader of the opposition, Joseph Muscat; and a large congregation which included many Augustinian priests led by their Superior General Father Robert F. Prevost, O.S.A. His episcopal motto was In te Domine speravi. On the following day, February 9, at 7:15 p.m., he led the mass of the eve of the feast of the Shipwreck of St. Paul, in the Church of St. Paul, Valletta. On February 10, he returned to Rome.
Cardinalate. Created a cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Maria Goretti on that same day. He had reached age 80 before being created cardinal, so was not eligible to participate in a conclave. Took possession of his deaconry on April 21, 2012. On August 10, 2012, he was named honorary canon of the collegiate parish church of St. Lawrence, in his native Vittoriosa, Malta, on the saint's liturgical feast day, where he celebrated a pontifical mass. At the end of the mass, the mayor presented a "Ġieħ il-Birgu" (tribute from the city of Vittoriosa or Birgu) to the cardinal. A commemorative plaque in the parish church was also unveiled at the end of the ceremony (2). On November 15, 2012, by decree of Fra' Matthew Festing, prince and grand master of the of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, he was admitted into the order in the rank and dignity of a bailiff grand cross of honor and devotion. The ceremony was held at the Magistral Palace, Via Condotti, Rome. He pronounced the meditation at the beginning of the Conclave of March 2013 in which he could not participate because of age limt. He resided for many years at the International Augustinian College, Santa Monica, Rome.
Death. December 30, 2019, suddenly, in the Hospital Santo Spirito in Sassia, Rome. After learning the news of the death of the cardinal, the pope sent a telegram of condolence to the Most Reverend Father Alejandro Moral Antón, O.S.A., prior general of the Order of Saint Augustine. On Thursday January 2, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., at the Altar of of the Cathedra of the Papal Vatican Basilica, took place the Exequies of the late cardinal. It was celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, vice dean of the College of Cardinals, together with the other cardinals, archbishops and bishops. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, Holy Father Francis presided over the rite of the Ultima Commendatio and the Valedictio. The late cardinal was buried in the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery in Paola, Malta, in the vaults of the Maltese Augustinian Province (3).
Bibliography. Grech, Prosper. "A History of the Criticism of the Acts of the Apostles" in Augustinianum 16 (2), 1976, 411-411; Grech, Prosper. "Das Heilsgeschichtliche Credo in den Reden der Apostelgeschichte" in Augustinianum 16 (2), 1976, 412-412.
Webgraphy. Photograph and biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; photograph and biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; his works, PhilPapers, Online research in philosophy; Ordinazione episcopale di P. Prospero Grech, in Italian, Ordine di Sant' Agostino, 22. Gennaio 2012; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; Malta Ready to Celebrate its 2nd Cardinal in History, in English, Zenit, 2012-02-01; È la preghiera la chiave di volta della vita cristiana, Intervista con il cardinale Prosper Grech di Paolo Mattei, 30giorni.it, 01/02 - 2012; Ritratto inedito. Da Grech: «Vi racconto il Paolo VI della gioia» by Filippo Rizzi, Avvenire, venerdì 21 giugno 2013; Cardinal Prospero Grech dies. He was second Maltese to ever be made Cardinal, Times of Malta, December 30, 2019; Awdjo: Imut il-Kardinal Malti Prospero Grech by Paul Cachia, newsbook.com.mt, 30 ta' Diċembru 2019 4:33 PM, with video; È morto il Cardinale Prosper Grech, ACI Stampa, Città del Vaticano, 30 dicembre, 2019 / 5:00 PM; Imut il-Kardinal Malti Prospero Grech, News Malta, December 30, 2019; Testo integrale della Meditazione del cardinale maltese Prospero Grech indirizzata ai 113 cardinali elettori presenti il giorno dell’apertura del Conclave che il 13 marzo 2013 elesse nuovo Pontefice Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Il Sismografo, lunedì 30 dicembre 2019; E' deceduto il cardinale maltese Prosper Grech, Il Sismografo, lunedì 30 dicembre 2019; Cardinal Prosper Grech dies suddenly in Rome by Sister Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp, vaticannews.va, 30 December 2019, 17:52, with audio and video; Falleció el cardenal Prosper Grech, teólogo agustiniano, vaticannews.va, 30 diciembre 2019, 18:30, with video; Muerte del cardenal Prosper Grech, nombrado por Benedicto XVI by Rosa Die Alcolea, Zenit, diciembre 31, 2019 12:25; In San Pietro celebrate le esequie del Cardinale Grech by Veronica Giacometti, ACI Stampa. Città del Vaticano, 02 gennaio, 2020 / 1:36 PM; Funeral del cardenal Prosper Stanley Grech by Larissa I. López, Zenit, enero 02, 2020 17:58; Exclusive Footage: Cardinal Prospero Grech’s funeral this morning, tvm.com.mt, 3 January, 2020 8:49am; Cardinal Prospero Grech to be laid to rest on Thursday 9 January, indpendent.com.mt, Monday, 6 January 2020, 15:53; Cardinal Prospero Grech laid to rest after tribute mass in Mdina, Malta Independet, Sunday 12 January 2020.
(1) He was weaving his fearless way in and out of the Roman traffic and taking no prisoners. Asked how he survived the truly frightening vista of Roman driving, his
laconic reply was "I just give them some artillery language ...!" (he having been an anti-aircraft gunner in the War). Information kindly provided by Mr. Mark West, from London,
England.
(2) This is the text of the inscription on the plaque, courtesy of Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta:
Birth. April 18, 1928, Cologne, Germany. From a family of solid Catholic tradition. His father was a professor of literature at a lyceum. He was the third of four siblings. The other children were Constantin (also a Jesuit), Heinz and Anneliese. Under National Socialism, despite the risk of reprisals, the parents were able to prevent the registration of their children in the youth associations imposed by the regime. The father suffered two processes by the authorities precisely because of his consistency between life and faith. His middle name is also listed as Joseph.
Education. Initial studies at Dreikönigsgymnasium, Cologne, which he left in 1946; he was a classmate of future Bishop Hubert Luthe of Essen. Entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) on April 13, 1948, after having studied classical philology for three semesters. After the novitiate in Cologne, he did the scholasticate in Pullach and then he studied philosophy at the Jesuit University of Pullach (today University for Philosophy in Münich) from 1950 to 1953; and from 1955 to 1959, he studied theology at the University for Philosophy and Theology Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt (Main). His doctoral dissertation in theology was "Die Rechtfertigungslehre nach Domingo de Soto. Das Denken eines Konzilstellnehmers vor, in und nach Trient", which he defended in 1963; it was published in 1967.
Priesthood. Ordained, July 31, 1958, Frankfurt. Further studies and third probation, 1958 to 1965. From 1963 to 1969, he was professor of theology at the Jesuit Faculty of Hochschule Sankt Georgen, Frankfurt. Professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, from 1969 to 2003. Consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since September 15, 1977. He participated in the preparation of the important ecumenical document "Dichiarazione comune sulla giustificazione". More recently he was member of the working group constituted by the Commission Ecclesia Dei to conduct the colloquies with the Society of Pius X, of the followers of excommunicated Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. In 2010 he published with Professor Ilaria Morali, also from the Gregorian University, and twenty five collaborators, "Catholic Engagement with World Religions", work of orientation on the theology of religions. He enjoyed the respect and trust of Pope Benedict XVI since the latter, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, was prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Episcopate. Because of advanced age, he requested to be exempted from receiving the episcopal consecration, normally required when promoted to the cardinalate.
Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of February 18, 2012; received the red biretta, the cardinalitial ring and the deaconry of S. Giuliano Martire on that same day (1). He had reached age 80 before being created cardinal, so was not eligible to participate in a conclave. His cardinalitial motto was Quarere Deum in omnibus. Took possession of his deaconry on April 22, 2012.
Death. February 10, 2015, at 3 a.m., in the Roman hospital of the Fatebenefratelli. Upon learning the news of the death of Cardinal Becker, Pope Francis prayed for the eternal repose of his soul and sent a telegram of condolence to Father Adolfo Nicolás Pachón, superior general of the Society of Jesus (2). On Monday February 16, 2015, at 2:45 p.m., at the Altar of the Cathedra of the Papal Vatican Basilica, took place the exequies for the late cardinal. The exequial liturgy was celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, together with other cardinals, archbishops and bishops. At the end of the eucharistic celebration, Pope Francis presided over the rite of Ultima Commendatio and of Valedictio. Buried in the chapel of the Society of Jesus in Campo Verano Cemetery, Rome (3).
Bibliography. Sentire cum ecclesia. Homenaje al Padre Karl Josef Becker S.J.. Edited by Enrique Benavent Vidal, Ilaria Morali. Valencia, Spain : Facultad de Teología San Vicente Ferrer 2003. (Series Valentina ; 49; Variation: Series Valentina ; 49). Language: Spanish; Articles in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish; introduction in Spanish.
Webgraphy. Biography, in Italian, Sala Stampa della Santa Sede; biography, in English, Holy See Press Office; brief biographical data, in English, Wikipedia; biography, in German, Wikipedia; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; An Examination of Subsistit in: A Profound Theological Perspective by Father Karl Josef Becker,S.J., in English, Taken from: L'Osservatore Romano, Weekly Edition in English, 14 December 2005, page 11, Eternal Word Television Network; German Jesuit named to the College of Cardinals, in English, Jesuits, 09 January 2012; The New Jesuit Cardinal, on World Religions by Francis X. Clooney, S.J., in English, America, Posted at: Saturday, January 14, 2012 06:45:03 PM; Only Karl Josef Becker, SJ after all?, in English, Blog Whosoever Desires; Becker: The Gregorian University theologian, Vatican Insider, 02/14/2012.
(1). On February 3, 2012, the Press Office of the Holy See informed that for reasons of health he would not be created cardinal in the consistory of February 18, 2012 but in another moment. On February 9, 2012, domradio.de reported that he would indeed take part in the consistory of February 18, 2012.
(2) This is the text of the telegram, taken from the Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office:| Top | Catalogs | Home | Search |
©1998-2022 Salvador Miranda.