March
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March 4
The Press Office of the Holy See informed
that the Holy Father named Members of the Congregation for Bishops Cardinals Sérgio da Rocha, Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia,
Brazil, and Joseph William Tobin, C.SS.R., Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America.
February
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February 27
Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako, Archbishop emeritus of Khartoum, Sudan, turned eighty years old and, according to
the regulation in the seventh paragraph of the introduction of the apostolic constitution Universi
Dominici gregis, lost the right to participate in the Conclave.
The number of Cardinals is 227. The Cardinal electors are now 127; and the Cardinal
non-electors are now 100.
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February 22
The Press Office of the Holy See informed
that the Holy Father named Members of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See Cardinals Peter Kodwo Appiah
Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of the Human Integral Development, and Luis Antonio Gokim
Tagle, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
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February 20
The Press Office of the Holy See informed
that the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the post of Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments presented by Cardinal
Robert Sarah.
The Press Office also informed
that the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the charges of Vicar General of His Holiness for Vatican City, Archpriest of the Papal Vatican Basilica, and President of the
Fabric of Saint Peter's Basilica presented by Cardinal Angelo Comastri and has named to those charges Cardinal
Mauro Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv., former Custode General of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi.
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February 18
Additional information has been included in the biographical entries of Cardinals Philippe Barbarin (2003) and
Jean-Pierre Ricard (2006), kindly provided by Mr. Alexandre Jore, from Versailles, France.
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February 17
The Press Office of the Holy See informed
that yesterday afternoon, February 16, 2021, the Council for the Economy met online.
The participants in the virtual assembly were the President, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Münich und Freising, Germany;
the Secretary, Msgr. Brian Edwin Ferme; and the majority of members of the Council: Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier,
O.F.M., Archbishop of Durban, South Africa; Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of São Paulo, Brazil; Cardinal
Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, L.S.P.X., Archbishop of Québec, Canada; Cardinal Joseph William
Tobin, C.Ss.R, Archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, United States of America; Cardinal Anders Arborelius, O.C.D.,
Bishop of Stockholm, Sweden; and Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, Archbishop of L’Aquila, Italy; and with them, Professor
Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchhof, Dr. Eva Castillo Sanz, Dr. Leslie Jane Ferrar, Dr. Alberto Minali, Dr.
María Concepción Osákar Garaicoechea, and the Honorable Ruth Kelly, via live connection from their respective countries of residence. Also
connected from the Vatican were the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin; Father Juan Antonio Guerrero
Alves, S.J., Prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy; Dr. Maximino Caballero Ledo; and Dr. Emilio Ferrara, respectively secretary
general and director of the administrative section of the same Secretariat.
The meeting focused on the discussion of the annual Holy See Budget for 2021, presented in detail by Dr. Caballero Ledo, followed by observations by Dr.
Ferrara, on behalf of the Audit Committee. Dr. Ferrara then presented some principles for the application of the two points of the Motu proprio of
December 28, 2020, "A better organisation with particular regard to the approval of budgets and financial statements and the appointment of official auditors". Finally, the
discussion turned to the statutes of the Audit Committee. The Assembly closed at 6 p.m. and adjourned to the next meeting, scheduled for April 2021.
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February 11
The Press Office of the Holy See informed
that the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Archdiocese of Karachi, Pakistan, presented by Cardinal Joseph
Coutts. To succeed him the Holy Father named Benny Mario Travas, until then Bishop of Multan.
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February 4
Proceso Digital informed that
Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, S.D.B., Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, has been admitted to a private clinic after
testing positive for Covid-19. His condition is stable.
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February 3
ACI Prensa informed
that Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez, Archbishop emeritus of Guadalajara, México, was hospitalized due to heart failure. In a
statement, the Archdiocese of Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, said that "the diagnosis given by the doctors who are treating him indicates that it is a heart failure
that is being monitored." The Cardinal, specified the Archdiocese, "was admitted to intensive care and his situation is stable."
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February 1
Additional information has been included in the biographical entries of Cardinals
Joseph Emmanuel de La Trémoille (1506);
Filippo Sega (1591);
Cesare Baronio, Orat. (1596);
Alphonse Duplessis de Richelieu, O.Carth. (1629);
Diego Guzmán de Haros (1629);
Vincenzo Maculani, O.P. (1641);
Domingo Pimentel Zúñiga, O.P. (1652);
Leopoldo de' Medici (1667);
Orazio Mattei (1686);
Pietro Vidoni, iuniore (1816);
Francesco Bertazzoli (1823);
Giacomo Giustiniani (1826);
Luigi Frezza (1834);
Fabio Maria Asquini (1844);
Francesco de' Medici di Ottaiano (1856);
Francisco de Paula Benavides y Navarrete, O.S. Iacobis (1877);
Jean-Pierre Boyer (1895);
Antonio Agliardi (1896);
Francesco di Paola Cassetta (1899);
Gregorio María Aguirre García, O.F.M. (1907);
Gaetano Bisleti (1911);
Francesco Bracci (1958);
Sebastiano Baggio (1969);
Avelar Brandão Vilela (1973);
Giovanni Benelli (1977);
Paul Augustin Mayer, O.S.B. (1985) and
Friedrich Wetter (1985), kindly provided by Mr. Eman Bonnici, from Malta.
January
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January 28
L'Essentiel informed that the
Archbishop of Luxembourg, Cardinal Jean-Claude Höllerich, S.J., has tested positive for Covid-19, indicated this Wednesday the
Commission of Episcopates of the European Community (COMECE), which he has chaired since 2018.
The Cardinal “has been in quarantine for several days,” noted COMECE. His state of health is stable. He faces this ordeal by sharing the sufferings of those who struggle against the
disease and of their families ”.
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January 25
L'Osservatore Romano, Anno CLXI n. 19 (48.642) lunedì 25 gennaio 2021, p. 12, informed that in the afternoon of Saturday January 23, 2021, Scalabrinian Cardinal
Silvano Maria Tomasi, special delegate to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), solemnly took possession of the deaconry of
San Nicola in Carcere. Arriving in the Roman church in via del Teatro di Marcello, the Cardinal was welcomed by the rector, Father Aldo Sperolini, who presented him
with the Crucifix for kissing and veneration. It was Monsignor Lucio Bonora who read the Papal Bull. Subsequently, Cardinal Tomasi presided over the
Eucharistic celebration. Present were the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Peter
Kodwo Appiah Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development, accompanied by some collaborators, including the assistant secretary Don
Augusto Zampini and the under-secretaries Father Nicola Riccardi, Franciscan , and Father Fabio Baggio, Scalabrinian. Also present,
among others, were representatives of the SMOM - with the Prelate Bishop Jean Laffitte - and of the Scalabrinian religious family; Monsignor Brian Edwin
Ferme, secretary of the Council for the Economy; the ambassador of Italy to the Holy See, Pietro Sebastiani; the SMOM ambassador to the Holy See,
Antonio Zanardi Landi; and Vincenzo Buonomo, Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University and president of the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman
Curia. The ceremony was directed by Monsignor Marco Agostini, papal ceremoniere.
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January 18
The Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff informed
that on Saturday January 23, 2021, at 6 p.m., Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, C.S., Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military
Order of Malta, will take possession of the Deaconry of San Nicola in Carcere, Via del Teatro di Marcello, 46, Rome.
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January 16
Vatican News informed
that Cardinal Eusébio Oscar Scheid, S.C.I., Archbishop emeritus of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was buried in the
Cathedral of São Dimas, in São José dos Campos, his first diocese, according to his express request. Because of the pandemic, he had no funeral. On Saturday Januery 16, 2021,
Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, O. Cist., will celebrate a Mass in suffrage of the soul of the late Cardinal in the Metropolitan
Cathedral of Rio that will be transmitted by Rede Vida de Televisão and also by the official networks of the archdiocese, that is, Rádio Catedral, Webtv Redentor and pages on
Facebook and YouTube. The celebration with the clergy of Rio de Janeiro is scheduled for 9 am.
The 7th Day Mass is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 19, at 6 p.m., in the Church of Candelária. That São Sebastião, patron saint of Rio de Janeiro, asks Cardinal
Tempesta, “comfort your family, friends and all those who had the grace of living together. I thank God for the gift of life of Cardinal Eusébio Oscar
Scheid and for all the work done in our archdiocese and in all the places he served. May we join in prayers for the eternal rest of Cardinal Eusébio and
all of our brothers and sisters who left victims of Covid-19 ”.
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January 14
After learning the news of the death of Cardinal Eusébio Oscar Scheid, S.C.I., Archbishop emeritus of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro,
of the Title of Ss. Bonifazio ed Alessio, the Holy Father sent Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, O. Cist., Archbishop of São
Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, a telegram of condolence.
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January 13
Istoé informed that Cardinal
Eusébio Oscar Scheid, S.C.I., Archbishop emeritus of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, died today in São José dos Campos, in the
early afternoon. His health was very poor and his condition worsened after contracting Covid-19 about a week ago, complicated by pneumonia. He was 88 years old.
After the death of Cardinal Scheid, the members of the College of Cardinals are 227; 128 are
electors and 99 are now non-electors.
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January 11
On Sunday, January 10, 2021, the casket with the remains of the late Cardinal Henri Schwery, Bishop emeritus of Sion,
Switzerland, was taken to the parish church of Saint-Léonard, Valais, for lying in state. At noon, the church's doors were opened for visitors, four at a time according to sanitary
standards. Over the closed casket were a mitre, stole and his ordination chalice. A condolence book was available in the vestibule for mourners to leave a note of sympathy. The
following day, January 11, the funeral Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of Sion at 10:30 am., presided by Jean-Marie Lovey, Bishop of Sion. Due to the ongoing
pandemic, only 50 mourners were allowed to be present. Concelebrating with Bishop Lovey were, among others, Norbert Brunner, Bishop emeritus of
Sion; Pierre Bürcher, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chur; Alain de Raemy, Auxiliary Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg; and Father
Jean Scarcella, CRA, Abbot of the Territorial Abbey of Saint-Maurice. The homily was delivered by Bishop Lovey. In accordance with the late
Cardinal's wishes, interment was not held at Sion's Cathedral crypt but rather in the small cemetery adjacent to the parish of Saint-Léonard amidst the surrounding vineyards of the
valley.
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January 7
[24] Heures informed that Cardinal Henri
Schwery, Bishop emeritus of Sion, Switzerland, died this morning at Home Le Carillon, in St-Léonard, Switzerland. He was eighty eight years old.
The burial Mass will be celebrated Monday at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, Sion, in accordance with current health directives, specified the diocese of Sion.
As places are limited, it will not be possible for worshipers to attend the ceremony.
After the death of Cardinal Schwery, the members of the College of Cardinals are 228; 128 are
electors and 100 are non-electors.
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January 4
Crux informed
that Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Papal Almoner, was released from the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, Rome, after recovering from
Covid-19.
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January 4
The Catholic World Report informed
that the Polish parliament has declared 2021 the Year of Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński, in honor of the churchman who helped to
preserve and strengthen Christianity under Communist rule.
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January 4
The Press Office of the Holy See informed
that the Pope accepted the resignation from the pastoral government of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya, presented by Cardinal John
Njue.
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January 2
The Office of Liturgical Celebrations informed
that the taking of possession of the deaconry of Santa Maria del Divino Amore a Castel di Leva by Cardinal Enrico Feroci, scheduled
for Monday January 4, 2021, at 12 noon, has been postponed to a later date. The postponement is due to a precaution for the coronavirus pandemic.
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As of January 1, 2021, the members of the College of Cardinals are 229; 128 are electors
and 101 are non-electors, having lost their right to participate in the conclave when they turned 80 years old, according to the
regulation in the seventh paragraph of the introduction of the apostolic constitution Universi
Dominici gregis. During this year, six cardinals will turn 80. They are: Gabriel Zubeir Wako, February 27, 1941;
Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M., March 8, 1941;
George Pell, June 8, 1941;
Maurice Piat, C.S.Sp., July 19, 1941;
Beniamino Stella, August 18, 1941; and Angelo Scola, November 7, 1941.
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From January 1 to December 31, 2020, the cardinals' site received 74,938 visits as well as numerous electronic messages with comments, corrections, and additional information.
The counter records only the initial visit to the site and not the ones to other sections on the same occasion. On January 1, 2021, the number of visitors to the site since January
1, 2002, was 2,534,200. The site contains the biographical entries of the 4,457 pre-cardinals, cardinals, quasi-cardinals and pseudocardinals identified between 494 and 2020.
©1998-2021 Salvador Miranda.