| (R - S) |
| R |
| RATZINGER Joseph |
| Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and International Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1951. |
| His father, a police officer, came from a traditional family of farmers from Lower Baviera. He spent his adolescent years in Traunstein, and was called into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service in the last months of World War II. From 1946 to 1951, the year in which he was ordained a priest and began to teach, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the higher school in Freising. In 1953 he obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis entitled: "The People and House of God in St. Augustine’s doctrine of the Church". Four years later, he qualified as a university teacher. He then taught dogma and fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy and theology of Freising, then in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, Münster from 1963 to 1966, Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. From 1969, he was a professor of dogmatic theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and Vice President of the same university. |
| Already in 1962 he was well known when, at the age of 35, he became a consultor at Vatican Council II, of the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joseph Frings. Among his numerous publications, a particular post belongs to the ‘Introduction to Christianity’, a collection of university lessons on the profession of apostolic faith, published in 1968; Dogma and revelation, an anthology of essays, sermons and reflections dedicated to the pastoral ministry, published in 1973. |
| In March 1977, Paul VI elected him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on 28 May 1977 he was consecrated, the first diocesan priest after 80 years to take over the pastoral ministry of this large Bavarian diocese. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 27 June 1977. Titular churches, suburbicarian see of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and suburbicarian see of Ostia (30 November 2002). |
| On 25 November 1981 he was nominated by John Paul II Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; President of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission. |
| Relator of the 5th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (1980). |
| President Delegate to the 6th Synodal Assembly (1983). |
| Elected Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998. On 30 November 2002, the Holy Father approved the election, by the order of cardinal bishops, as Dean of the College of Cardinals. |
| President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the New Catechism to the Holy Father. |
| Laurea honoris causa in jurisprudence from the Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta, 10 November 1999. |
| Honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 13 November 2000. |
| Curial Membership: |
| * |
| Secretariat of State (second section) |
| * |
| Oriental Churches, Divine Worship and Sacraments, Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, Catholic Education (congregations) |
| * |
| Christian Unity, Culture (councils) |
| * Latin America, Ecclesia Dei (commissions) |
| __________________________________________________________ |
| RAZAFINDRATANDRA Armand Gaétan |
| Cardinal Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra, Archbishop of Antananarivo (Madagscar), was born into a large, old-established family which had become Christian very early on. |
| His father was called Paul Razafindratandra and his mother, Joséphine Rasoanoro. He was born on 7 August 1925 in Ambohimalaza, a locality about 50 km from Antananarivo where his grandfather was governor. |
| He received his primary and secondary education at the parish school of Faravohitra directed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools of Andohalo. He went on to the minor seminary of Ambohipo and finally, to St Michael's College directed by the Jesuit Fathers, where he earned his diploma. |
| He studied philosophy for two years at Ambatoroka major seminary and did a three-year course at St Michael's College. He then returned to Ambatoroka to study theology. |
| After his ordination to the priesthood on 27 July 1954, Msgr. Sartre sent him to the Catholic Institute in Paris, to study at the Institute of Pastoral Catechesis and the Institute of Social Studies, opposite the chaplaincy for Malagasy students. |
| He returned to his country in 1956 and became director of catechetical teaching. He drafted manuals for all the classes aged 12 years and older. At the same time, he was responsible for the spiritual direction of the public and non-confessional private schools: 40 hours a week, all while he was Vicar at the cathedral. |
| He subsequently became parish priest in Ambohimitsimbina and assistant curate in Ambavahadimitafo. He organized entertainment for the children of needy families in summer camps run by young volunteers, which became occasions where he could demonstrate his own capacity for animation. For 10 years he directed the recently founded National Centre for Catechetical Formation. |
| His experience continued to be enriched by his posts as Rector of Faliarivo minor seminary and Director of the major seminary of Ambatoroka. |
| He was appointed Bishop of Mahajanga on 27 April 1978 and was ordained Bishop the following 2 July. He proclaimed the Gospel in all the parishes of his territory, almost always visiting them on foot. This was often the first time that their Bishop had visited them. The overall area of the Diocese is about 107,000 square kilometres. |
| He was involved in founding the Ecumenical Commission of Theology, and has been entrusted with drafting the statutes of the Council of Christian Churches, a movement that has played a particularly important role in the democratic development of the Malagasy nation since 1989. |
| Named Archbishop of Antananarivo on the 3rd February 1994, he was installed on the following 15 May. Thus he returned to his native Diocese, devoting himself to serving the people with painstaking care and hard work. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 26 November 1994. Titular church Sts. Sylvester and Martin ai Monti. |
| From 1997 until December 2002, he served as President of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Evangelization of Peoples (congregation); |
| * |
| Special Council for Africa of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| RE Giovanni Battista |
| Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, was born on 30 January 1934 in Borno (Brescia), Italy. He was ordained for the Diocese of Brescia on 3 March 1957 and holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. |
| He taught in the Brescia seminary and served as a curate before entering the Holy See's diplomatic service. He was posted to Panama and Iran, until being recalled to the Secretariat of State, where he served as personal secretary to Archbishop Giovanni Benelli. In 1979 he was named Assessor. |
| On 9 October 1987 he was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops and titular Archbishop of Vescovìo, receiving episcopal consecration on 7 November. Two years later he was named Substitute of the Secretariat of State, a post he held for 11 years. |
| On 16 September 2000 the Holy Father appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. |
| President Delegate for the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2001). |
| Curial membership: |
| * Secretariat of State (second section) |
| * Doctrine of Faith (congregation) |
| * Vatican City State (commission) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, Title of Most Holy Twelve Apostles. Tranferred to order of cardinal bishops on 1 October 2002, suburbicarian see of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto. |
| RIGALI Justin Francis |
| Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia (USA), was born on 19 April 1935 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. He was ordained a priest on 25 April 1961 and holds a doctorate in canon law. |
| In 1964 Cardinal Rigali entered the English-language department of the Secretariat of State, of which he was appointed Director in 1970, after serving in the Apostolic Nuncio in Madagascar (1966-70). He worked as the English translator for Pope Paul VI, whom he accompanied on various international journeys. He also served as professor and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. In 1985 he was appointed titular Archbishop of Volsinium. From 1985-90, he held many Vatican posts and was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops and Secretary of the College of Cardinals. On 15 March 1994 he was installed as Archbishop of Saint Louis, Missouri. |
| On 15 July 2003 he was nominated Archbishop of Philadelphia. He serves on various committees of the U.S. Bishops’ Conference. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of St. Priscilla. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Divine Worship and Sacraments (congregation) |
| * Vox Clara (committee) |
| * Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (office) |
| RIVERA CARRERA Norberto |
| Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Archbishop of Mexico , was born on 6 June 1942 in La Purísima, Tepehuanes, Archdiocese of Durango, Mexico. His parents were Ramón Rivera Cháidez and Soledad Carrera de Rivera. |
| After having finished his primary studies in La Purísima in 1955 he entered the seminary of Durango, where he did his classical studies, philosophy and a year of theology. |
| He earned a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. He was ordained a priest on 3 July 1966 by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter’s Basilica. |
| After serving as a curate in Rio Grande, he taught dogmatic theology for 18 years at the major seminary of Durango, where he was also prefect of discipline. He also taught sacred scripture and pastoral and spiritual theology. In 1982 he became professor of ecclesiology at the Pontifical University of Mexico. |
| He was also founder of the Movement for the Days of Christian Life; chaplain of San Martín de Porres; involved with building the parish of Santa Rosa di Lima and the church of Maria Auxiliadora; member of the Presbyteral Council, having been coordinator for two successive terms; diocesan secretary of the pastoral commission; member of the diocesan council and diocesan consultor; director of the social communications of the Archdiocese. |
| On 5 November 1985 he was nominated Bishop of Tehuacan by John Paul II. On 21 December 1985 he received episcopal ordination in the diocesan minor seminary. |
| From 1989 to 1995 he was chairman of the Mexican Episcopal Conference’s Commission for the Family. He was also member of the superior council of the Pontifical University of Mexico. |
| From April 1993 to 1995 he headed the Family Section of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM). |
| On 13 June 1995 he was appointed Archbishop Primate of Mexico City and was installed on 26 July 1995. He is also an Apostolic Visitor for seminaries. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 1998. Titular church, St. Francis of Assisi at Ripa Grande. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Divine Worship and Sacraments, Clergy (congregations) |
| * |
| Family (council) |
| * Latin America (commission) |
| * Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| RODRÍGUEZ MARADIAGA Oscar Andrés, S.D.B. |
| Cardinal Oscar Andrés Rodríguez Maradiaga, S.D.B., Archbishop of Tegucigalpa (Honduras), was born on 29 December 1942 in Tegucigalpa. He was ordained for the Salesians on 28 June 1970 and holds a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome, and a diploma in clinical psychology and psychotherapy from Leopold Franz University, Innsbruck. |
| He taught chemistry, physics and music at various Salesian colleges in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala and was professor of moral theology and ecclesiology at the Salesian Theological Institute, Guatemala, and rector of the Salesian Philosophical Institute in the same country. |
| On 28 October 1978 he was appointed titular Bishop of Pudentiana and Auxiliary of Tegucigalpa, receiving episcopal ordination on 8 December. He was promoted to Archbishop of Tegucigalpa on 8 January 1993 and was President of CELAM (1995-99). He is currently President of the Episcopal Conference of Honduras. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Clergy (congregation) |
| * Justice and Peace, Social Communications (councils) |
| * Latin America (commission) |
| * Special Council for America of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of Our Lady of Hope. |
| ROUCO VARELA Antonio María |
| Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop of Madrid (Spain), was born on 24 August 1936 in Villalba, diocese of Mondoñedo-Ferral, Spain. From 1946 to 1954 he studied at the seminary of Mondoñedo-Ferral, and from 1954 to 1958 he studied theology at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. |
| He was ordained a priest on 28 March 1959 in the ‘Catedral Vieja’ of Salamanca. From 1959 to 1964, he studied law and theology at the University of Munich and earned a doctorate, with a dissertation on Church-State relations in 16th Century Spain. |
| He was professor of fundamental theology and canon law at the seminary of Mondoñedo from 1964-1966; adjunct professor at the Institute of Canon Law at the University of Munich from 1966-1969; professor of public ecclesiastical law at the Pontifical University of Salamanca from 1969-1971; taught fundamental canon law in 1971 and served as vice-rector in 1972 of the same university. He was also an expert at the Pastoral Council of Galizia since its preparatory phase in 1974. |
| On 17 September 1976 he was appointed titular Bishop of Gergi and Auxiliary of Santiago de Compostela, and was ordained on 31 October 1976. During his years of study and scientific activities at the University of Munich he was involved in the parishes of san Raffaele and san Ansgar of the city; in Salamanca he was councillor of the Acción Católica Nacional de Propagandistas. |
| He has published many books and numerous scientific works in Spanish and in foreign reviews specialized in the theological foundation of canon law and problems with the Church-State relations. He is member of the International Association of Canon Law and the Association of Spanish Canonists. He was a relator during the Spanish Week of Canon Law and at International Congresses on the same subject. |
| Took part in the Ecumenical Group of Canonists of Heidelberg and of the Inter-confessional Christian Committee of Madrid. |
| He was Presidente della Junte de Asesores Jurídicos within the Spanish Episcopal Conference; from 1981-1989 he was a member of the Bishops’ Commission of Teaching and of Catechesis. From 1984, he is member of the Permanent Commission of the Spanish Episcopal Conference. |
| He was named Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela on 9 May 1984 and hosted the Fourth World Youth Day in August 1989. |
| In 1990, he was elected President of the Bishops’ Commission for Seminaries and Universities; member of the Synod of Bishops held in October 1993 on the formation of priests; participated at the Symposium of European Bishops from 1985 to 1989; member of the Executive Committee of the CEE, 1993. |
| He was named Archbishop of Madrid on 28 July 1994. |
| On 19 September 1996, the Holy Father nominated him ‘Magnum Cancellarium’ of the Theology Faculty of San Dámaso. |
| Author of numerous publications and has written various pastoral letters; has held conferences in Spain and abroad on the theology of law, fundamental questions of canon law, Church-State relations; participated in Congresses and Symposiums. |
| President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, March 1999. |
| Nominated General Relator by Pope John Paul II for the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops (1-23 October 1999). |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 1998, of the Title of S. Lorenzo in Damaso. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Bishops, Clergy, Catholic Education (congregations) |
| * Legislative Texts, Culture, Cor Unum (councils) |
| * Apostolic Signature (tribunal) |
| * Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| * Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See |
| RUBIANO SÁENZ Pedro |
| Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz, Archbishop of Bogotá, Colombia, was born on 13 September 1932 in Cartago, Colombia. He was ordained for the then-Diocese of Cali on 8 July 1956 following theological studies at Laval University, Québec. |
| He was a parish priest, chaplain to Marco Fidel Suárez Air Force Academy, St Liberata National College and Our Lady of Remedies Clinic, archdiocesan treasurer and vicar for pastoral ministry, and vice-rector of Santiago College. |
| On 2 June 1971 he was appointed Bishop of Cúcuta and received episcopal ordination on 11 June. On 26 March 1983 he was promoted to Coadjutor Archbishop of Cali and became the see's second Archbishop on 7 February 1985. From April 1990 to January 1991 he was also Apostolic Administrator of Popayán. On 27 December 1994 he was appointed Archibishop of Bogotà. He is presently serving his third term as President of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Catholic Education (congregation) |
| * Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (council) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| RUINI Camillo |
| Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, Archpriest of the Patriarchal Lateran Basilica, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University and President emeritus of Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem, was born on 19 February 1931 in Sassuolo, province of Modena, diocese of Reggio Emilia. |
| Having studied philosophy and theology in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University, as a student of the Almo Collegio Capranica, he obtained a licentiate in philosophy and theology. |
| He was ordained a priest on 8 December 1954. In 1957 he returned to Reggio Emilia and taught philosophy at the diocesan seminary until 1968. From 1968 until 1986 he taught dogmatic theology at the ‘Studio Teologico Interdiocesano di Modena-Reggio-Emilia-Carpi-Guastalla’, where he was also headmaster from 1968 to 1977. From 1977 to 1983 he taught dogmatic theology at the ‘Studio Teologico Accademico Bolognese’. From 1958 to 1966 he served as chaplain to Catholic University graduates and from 1966 to 1970 he served as a delegate for Catholic Action. From 1968 he was president of the John XXIII Diocesan Cultural Center. |
| On 16 May 1983 he was named titular Bishop of Nepte and Auxiliary of Reggio Emilia and Guastalla. He was ordained on 29 June the same year. As vice president of the Preparatory Committee, he contributed to the realization of the Ecclesial Convention of Loreto (1985) which has become a reference point in the dialogue between the Church and Italian society following the wounds of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1985, he was elected member of the Bishops’ Commission for Catholic Education, Culture and School. |
| John Paul II, on 28 June 1986, named him Secretary General of the Italian Episcopal Conference. |
| Member of the Central Committee for the Marian Year 1987-1988, since 1988 he has been a consultor of the Congregation for Bishops. In October 1990, during the 8th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, he was elected member of the council of the general secretariat. |
| On 17 January 1991 he was named Archbishop and Pro-Vicar General of the Pope for the Diocese of Rome. Also, on 7 March 1991 he became President of the Italian Episcopal Conference. |
| He has published many essays and research work since 1971. |
| Named Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome and Archpriest of Patriarchal Lateran Basilica, 1 July 1991. |
| Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Lateran University. |
| President emeritus of the Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem (served from 29 December 1992 until 2 May 1996). |
| Served as relator for the Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops (28 November-14 December 1991). |
| Reconfirmed as President of the Italian Episcopal Conference on 7 March 1996 by John Paul II and has been reconfirmed in 2001 for the third term. |
| He was member of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Bishops (congregation) |
| * |
| Laity (council) |
| * |
| Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See (office) |
| * |
| Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 28 June 1991, of the Title of S. Agnese fuori le mura. |
| S |
| SANDOVAL Í-IGUEZ Juan |
| Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara (Mexico) was born on 28 March 1933 in Yahualica, Jalisco, Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. He grew up in a Christian family of 12, of which nine are still alive. One of his brothers, José, is a Guadalupe Missionary in Korea at the present time. |
| After his compulsory education at the 'Amado Nervo' Institute in Yahualica, he entered Guadalajara seminary in 1945, at the age of 12. At the end of his first course in philosophy, he was sent to Rome in 1952 to continue his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where, after 8 years of study, he obtained a degree in philosophy and a doctorate in dogmatic theology with his thesis: The theology of preaching in St John of Avila. He was ordained priest on 27 October 1957, on the solemnity of Christ the King. |
| He returned to Guadalajara in 1961 and was appointed as spiritual director of the first and second Latin course pupils at the diocesan seminary. At the end of this academic year, he was named their Prefect of Discipline. He was subsequently appointed Prefect of the Faculty of Philosophy and teacher of various subjects in the same faculty. |
| He then went to the village of Tapalpa, as Prefect of the students in the propaedeutic course at the same seminary of Guadalajara, a post he held for four years. |
| In September 1971, he was named vice-rector at Guadalajara seminary with the role of rector and on 22 August 1980 he was appointed rector. |
| In addition to these duties, he has been a member of the Presbyterial Council of which he was twice president. He was also a member of the governing organ of the Archdiocese and the diocesan commission for the Clergy. |
| On 3 March1988 he was appointed coadjutor Bishop of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and received his episcopal ordination in this city on 30 April the same year. On 11 July 1992 he became Bishop of Ciudad Juárez. |
| Pope John Paul II named him Archbishop of Guadalajara on 21 April 1994, and he took possession of the Diocese the following 19 May. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 26 November 1994. Titular church, Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Philip the Martyr on Via Aurelia. |
| Relator general of the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops (1997). |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Institutes of Consecrated life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Catholic Education (congregations) |
| * |
| Culture (council) |
| * |
| Latin America, Institute of Religious Works (commissions) |
| * |
| Economic Affairs of the Holy See (office) |
| * Council of Cardinals for Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See |
| * Special Council for America of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| SARAIVA MARTINS José, C.M.F. |
| Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, C.M.F., Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, was born on 6 January 1932 in Gagos do Jarmelo, Portugal. He was ordained for the Claretians on 16 March 1957 and holds a licentiate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome. |
| After teaching metaphysics for a year at the Claretian seminary in Marino, Italy, he was assigned to the Claretianum, Rome, where he taught fundamental and sacramental theology for 10 years. He later taught sacramental theology at the Pontifical Urbanian University, where he also served as rector (1977-80, 1980-83 and 1986-88). He is the author of many books and scholarly articles. |
| In 1983 he was Special Secretary of the VI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. |
| On 26 May 1988 he was appointed Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education and titular Archbishop of Thuburnica, receiving episcopal ordination on 2 July. |
| On 30 May 1998 he was named Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001. Diaconate of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Divine Worship and Sacraments, Bishops (congregations) |
| * Health Care Workers (council) |
| * Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| SCHEID Eusébio Oscar, S.C.I. |
| Cardinal Eusébio Oscar Scheid, S.C.I., Archbishop of Saõ Sebastião do Rio de Janiero and Ordinary for the faithful of the eastern rite residing in Brazil and without an ordinary of their own rite, was born in Bom Retiro, Joaçaba, Brazil, on 8 December 1932. He studied at the Dehonian Fathers’ Seminary and was ordained a priest in Rome on 3 July 1960. He holds a specialization and a doctorate in Christology. |
| Back in his homeland he taught dogmatic theology and liturgy until his appointment as Bishop of São José dos Campos on 11 February 1981; he was ordained on 1 May. He was appointed Archbishop of Florianópolis on 23 January 1991. On 25 July 2001, he became Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro, and that same year he was named Ordinary for Eastern-Rite faithful resident in Brazil. The Cardinal also served as President of South Region IV of the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference; within the Bishops’ Conference he is currently Counsellor of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. He is also an expert in family ministry. |
| Cardinal Scheid is a Dehonian priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He has been Archbishop of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro since 2001. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Social communications (council) |
| * Latin America (commission) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 October 2003. Titular church, Sts. Boniface and Alexius. |
| SCHÖNBORN Christoph, O.P. |
| Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, O.P., Archbishop of Vienna and Ordinary for the faithful of the Byzantine rite in Austria, was born on 22 Janaury 1945 in what is now Skalsko, the Czech Republic. He studied theology at Le Saulchoir, philosophy and pyschology at the University of Vienna, Slavic and Byzantine Christianity at the Sorbonne and theology at the Catholic Institute of Paris. He was ordained for the Dominicans on 27 December 1970. He obtained a licentiate in theology in 1971 and a doctorate in theology in 1974 in Paris. |
| From 1973 to 1975 he was Chaplain at the University of Graz. He taught dogmatic and Eastern Christian theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He was member of the Theological Commission of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference (1980-1991), Swiss Commission for Dialogue between Orthodox and Roman Catholics (1980-1987), Swiss Commission for Dialogue between Roman Catholics and Christians (1980-1984), International Commission of Theologians (since 1980), and the Foundation ‘Pro Oriente’ (since 1984). From 1987 to 1992 he served as secretary of the commission responsible for drafting the Catechism of the Catholic Church. |
| On 11 July 1991 he was appointed titular Bishop of Sutri and Auxiliary of Vienna and was ordained on 29 September 1991. He was then appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Vienna on 13 April 1995 and became Archbishop of Vienna on 14 September 1995. |
| In 1996 he preached the Lenten spiritual exercises for the Pope and the Roman Curia. He is the author of many publications. |
| Since June 1998 he is President of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference. |
| Curial membership: |
| Doctrine of the Faith, Oriental Churches (congregations) |
| Culture (council) |
| * Cultural Heritage of the Church (commission) |
| * Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 1998, of the Title of Jesus the Divine Worker. |
| _________________________________________________________________ |
| SCHWERY Henri |
| Cardinal Henri Schwery, Bishop emeritus of Sion (Switzerland), was born on 14 June 1932 in Saint-Léonard, diocese of Sion, a small agricultural center in the valley of Rosano, a few kilometers from the city of Sion, Switzerland. |
| Last child of 11 children, he studied theology at the major seminary of Sion, then continued in Rome at the French seminary of St Clare. In 1957, he was called to Switzerland to pursue other studies. |
| He was ordained a priest on 7 July 1957 at the age of 25. He was then sent to Fribourg and obtained a university diploma in mathematics and in physics. In 1961 he taught in Sion. |
| For eight years, since 1958 he was diocesan chaplain of the Catholic Action of Young Students. Since 1958 until 1977, he was a military chaplain. Also, in 1958 he was chaplain to the Our Lady of Sion children’s choir and councilor of the Swiss Committee of children choirs. |
| From 1968 to 1972 he served as director of the minor seminary of Sion and rector of the College in Sion from 1972 until 1977. |
| On 22 July 1977 he was appointed Bishop of Sion and was ordained on 17 September 1977. He was also member of the Congregation for Catholic Education (1978-1983), and participated in numerous reunions on vocations and evangelization in Europe and in the extraordinary Synod of 1985. He is also Canon of honor of the territorial Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaunne. |
| He also served in the Bishops’ Conference and in dicasteries for schools, seminaries and faculties, military chaplains, health-care ministry, relations with dioceses outside Switzerland and European Conferences. From 1 January 1983 to 31 December 1988, he was President of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference. |
| He is the author of many pastoral letters and biblical-theological reflections on the relationship between the pastor and the human and religious reality of his Church. In 1978 he dedicated his first letter to the lay and priestly vocations. |
| Since 1 April 1995 Bishop emeritus of Sion. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Causes of Saints (congregation) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 28 June 1991, of the Title of Protomarytrs a Via Aurelia Antica. |
| SCOLA Angelo |
| Cardinal Angelo Scola, Patriarch of Venice, was born on 7 November 1941 at Malgrate, Milan. He was ordained on 18 July 1970 and holds doctorates in theology and philosophy. |
| Cardinal Scola was actively involved in the Communion and Liberation Movement before becoming assistant researcher in philosophy and then assistant professor of moral theology at the University of Fribourg. In 1982 he was appointed professor of theological anthropology at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and taught contemporary Christology at the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. On 21 September 1991, he was ordained Bishop of Grosseto, subsequent to his appointment on 20 July. The Holy Father appointed him Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University and President of the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in 1995. |
| On 5 January 2002 the Pope appointed him Patriarch of Venice, and on 9 April 2002 he was elected President of the Bishops’ Conference of the Triveneta region. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Clergy (congregation) |
| * Family, Laity (councils) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 October 2003, of the Title of Twelve Holy Apostles. |
| SEBASTIANI Sergio |
| Cardinal Sergio Sebastiani, President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See , was born on 11 April 1931 in Montemonaco (Ascoli Piceno), Italy. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Fermo in 1956 and holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome. |
| After studying at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, he was posted to Peru, Brazil and Chile before being recalled to the Secretariat of State, where he served as secretary to Cardinals Cicognani and Villot. On 27 September 1976 he was appointed titular Archbishop of Caesarea in Mauretania and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Madagascar and Mauritius, with responsibility as Apostolic Delegate for La Réunion and the Comorros, receiving episcopal ordination on 30 October. In 1985 he was named Apostolic Nuncio in Turkey. |
| On 16 November 1994 he was appointed General Secretary of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. On 3 November 1997 the Holy Father named him President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Bishops, Clergy, Causes of Saints (congregations) |
| * Christian Unity, Interreligious Dialogue (councils) |
| * Apostolic Signatura (tribunal) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Deaconry of St. Eustache. |
| SEPE Crescenzio |
| Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urban University, was born on 2 June 1943 in Carinaro (Caserta), Italy. He was ordained for the Diocese of Aversa on 12 March 1967 and holds degrees in theology and canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University and in philosophy from the University of Rome. |
| He taught theology at the Lateran and Urban Pontifical Universities and then studied at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. He was posted to Brazil and then recalled to the Secretariat of State, where he was appointed Assessor for General Affairs in 1987. He was also President of the Commission for Vatican Telecommunications. |
| On 2 April 1992 he was appointed titular Archbishop of Grado and Secretary of the Congregation for the Clergy, receiving episcopal ordination from the Holy Father on 26 April 1992. |
| On 3 November 1997 he was named General Secretary of the Central Committee for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. |
| He was President of Peregrinatio ad Petri Sedem from 8 November 1997 until July 2001. |
| On 9 April 2001 he was named Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He is also the Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urban University. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Deaconry of the Most Merciful Father. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Clergy, Doctrine of the Faith (congregations) |
| * Social Communications, Interreligious Dialogue, Christian Unity, Legislative Texts (councils) |
| * Latin America (commission) |
| * Special Council for Asia of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| SHIRAYANAGI Peter Seiichi |
| Cardinal Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi, Archbishop emeritus of Tokyo, Japan was born on 17 June 1928 in Hachioji City, Tokyo. In March 1945 he graduated from Gyosei (Stella Maris) Junior School as a minor seminarian of the Diocese of Tokyo. In March 1951 he received a philosophy degree from Sophia University, and in March 1954 a specialization in theology from the same institution. |
| On 21 December 1954 he was ordained a priest at Kanda Catholic Cathedral. In 1960 he earned a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. |
| He was ordained titular Bishop of Atenia and Auxiliary of Tokyo on 8 May 1966. On 15 November 1969 he was appointed titular Archbishop of Castro and Coadjutor Archbishop of Tokyo and succeeded to the See on 21 February 1970. |
| He is the representative of the Religious Juridical Body of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo; representative director of the Juridical Foundation of Tokyo Caritas House and of the Social Welfare Juridical Foundation: Karashidane, Jiseikai, Saint Johhankai, etc. |
| As Archbishop of Tokyo, on 18 January 1970 he was authorized to continue the Tokyo Archdiocesan Convention begun by Cardinal Doi, to put into practice the spirit and resolutions of the Second Vatican Council. The Convention continued for several months and finished in 1971, after setting up a new archdiocesan system in which the laity and clergy co-operated in applying the directives of Vatican II in the context of the Catholic Church in Tokyo. |
| Since the 1957 visit of Cardinal Frings, Archbishop of Cologne, a friendship was established between Cologne and Tokyo. Archbishop Shirayangai promoted this friendship and, following the example of the Archdiocese of Cologne, began to help other Churches in Asia with the resources of the Tokyo Archdiocese. In particular, he established 'Myanmar Sunday', an annual occasion for making the Church in Tokyo aware of its duty to help other Churches in Asia, such as those in Myanmar, China, the Philippines, etc. |
| In 1989, he organized a group of priests, sisters and lay people to visit the Catholic Church in China, in order to meet Chinese Catholics without distinction. There were three objectives: to seek forgiveness for all the sins committed by the Japanese Imperial Army against the Chinese people and the Catholic Church in China; to promote solidarity among all Catholics, both those of the Patriotic Association and those of the so-called Underground, in order to alleviate the sufferings caused by the Church's internal division; and to help rebuild Catholic churches, seminaries and institutes of women religious. |
| As President of the Japanese Catholic Bishops' Conference from 1983 to 1992, Archbishop Shirayanagi, in response to Pope Paul VI's appeal, founded the first Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace in 1970. He was also Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Social Activities, to establish basic policies for the Church's active evangelization, with particular attention to social problems such as refugees, a basic policy for foreign aid and against discriminatory legislation and the Government's policy of nationalizing the Shinto-Yasukuni Shrine; in 1981, Archbishop Shirayanagi organized events connected with the first papal visit to Japan. |
| In 1982 the Japanese Catholics' Pilgrimage for Peace was organized to promote arms reduction talks at the UN General Assembly. That same year the first Japanese Catholic Peace Week was held, to promote peace education, peace actions and prayer throughout the Japanese Catholic Church every year. |
| In 1986 the Federation of Asian Catholic Bishops' Conferences held its Fourth General Assembly in Tokyo. As President of the JCBC, Archbishop Shirayanagi acknowledged the war guilt of the Japanese Catholic Church for the first time to the Asian Bishops attending the solemn Mass celebrated at St Mary's Cathedral in Tokyo. |
| In 1987 Archbishop Shirayanagi, opened the First National Incentive Convention on Evangelization in Kyoto. Seventeen Bishops, representing 16 Dioceses, took part in the three-day discussions aimed at promoting the work of evangelization in contemporary Japanese society. |
| In 1989 on the occasion of the death of Emperor Hirohito, Archbishop Shirayanagi spoke on behalf of the Japanese Catholic Bishops, asking the Government to observe strictly the separation of State and religion in Japan. |
| In 1990 Archbishop Shirayanagi took the initiative of building the Japanese Catholic Centre in Tokyo as the official seat of the JCBC and at the same time opened an office in Rome to facilitate communication with the Holy See. |
| Archbishop emeritus of Tokyo, 12 June 2000. |
| In November 2000, Pope John Paul II addressed to Cardinal Shirayanagi a message for the celebration of the World Conference of Religions for Peace held in Kyoto 30 years ago. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 26 November 1994, of the Title of S. Emerenziana a Tor Fiorenza. |
| SIMONIS Adrianus Johannes |
| Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis, Archbishop of Utrecht (the Netherlands), was born on 26 November 1931 in Lisse. He is one of a family of 11 children. After his studies in the Hageveld and Warmond seminaries he was ordained a priest on 15 June 1957. After this he served as curate of two parishes. From 1959 to 1966 he studied biblical exegesis in Rome where he completed his studies by defending the thesis ‘Die Hirtenrede’. The book deals with the texts concerning the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John. |
| On 29 December 1970, he was nominated Bishop of Rotterdam by Pope Paul VI. The ordination took place on 20 March 1971. |
| On 27 June 1983, he was nominated Archbishop-Coadjutor of Utrecht with the right of succession to Card. Johannes Willebrands. On 8 December 1983 he was installed as Archbishop. Since then, he has been the president of the Episcopal Conference in the Netherlands. |
| As Archbishop, he assumed the role of president of the Commissions for teaching and education and for religion. He was named Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Nijmegen. He has been dedicated to defending the catholic doctrine regarding matrimony, the family and the inviolable value of human life. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Catholic Education (congregations) |
| * Christian Unity (council) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 25 May 1985, of the Title of St. Clement. |
| SIN Jaime Lachica |
| Cardinal Jaime L. Sin, Archbishop emeritus of Manila (Phlippines), was born in New Washington in Aklan, Southern Philippines, on 31 August 1928. He pursued his ecclesiastical studies at the San Vicente de Ferrer Seminary in Jaro and was ordained to the priesthood on 3 April 1954. |
| After his ordination, he was appointed diocesan missionary of the diocese of Capiz. He spent 3 years doing mission work in the hilly towns of the diocese, after which he was appointed the first rector of the St. Pius X Seminary in Roxas City. There he served for 10 years as principal, dean of studies, professor and diocesan consultant. |
| He was named apostolic administrator sede plena of Jaro Archdiocese on 20 June 1970. |
| In January 1972, Pope Paul VI named him titular Archbishop of Massa Lubrense and coadjutor Archbishop of Jaro, with the right of succession. Seven months later he succeeded to the Archdiocese. |
| He received honorary degrees: doctor of laws from Adamson University and doctor of humanities from De La Salle University, both in Manila. |
| He has been chairman of about a dozen Catholic institutions, among them San Juan de Dios Hospital, Radio Veritas, the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital, Board of Catholic Charities and the Pius XII Catholic Center. |
| Has been well-known as an advocate of ecumenism. He was the first Catholic archbishop in the Philippines to have been invited to address Protestant, Muslim and other non-Catholic groups. He has also been a speaker on family planning, abortion, separation of church and state and other important subjects touching on the life and destiny of his people. |
| President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, 1977-1981. |
| He received John Paul II in his pastoral visits to the Philippines (1981 and 1995). During the Holy Father’s second visit, at least 4 million faithful took part in the eucharistic celebration held in Rizal Park in Manila for the closing of the 10th World Youth Day. |
| Archbishop emeritus of Manila, 15 September 2003. |
| Curial membership: |
| * Divine Worship and Sacraments, Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (congregations) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the Consistory of 24 May 1976, of the Title of S. Maria ai Monti. |
| SODANO Angelo |
| Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on 23 November 1927 in Isola d’Asti, Italy. He is the second out of 6 children. Having studied philosophy and theology at the seminary of Asti, he then obtained a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University. |
| He was ordained a priest on 23 September 1950 and dedicated his first years to teaching dogmatic theology at the diocesan seminary and to the youth apostolate. |
| In 1959, he joined the Holy See’s Diplomatic Corps and after having attended the Pontifical Ecclesiatical Academy, he served in Ecuador, Uruguay and Chile, as Secretary of the Nunciature. In 1968 he was called to Rome to serve in the then Council for Public Affairs of the Church. During this period, as a member of the Holy See’s missions, he visited Romania, Hungary and East Germany. |
| On 30 November 1977 he was named titular Archbishop of Nova di Cesare and Apostolic Nuncio in Chile. He was ordained on 15 January 1978. |
| In Chile, he worked for 10 years visiting nearly every diocese and cooperating also in the happy conclusion of the pontifical mediation between Chile and Argentina, for the peaceful solution to the controversy over the sovereignty of the 2 States in some zones of the austral territory. |
| On 28 May 1988 John Paul II called him to serve as Secretary of the then Council for Public Affairs of the Church. On 1 March 1989, with the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus becoming effective, he then assumed the title of Secretary for the Relationship with States. |
| He has even dedicated particular attention to the Pontifical Commission for Russia, of which he was President. |
| He has represented the Holy See in various international reunions, especially at the meetings of Foreign Ministers of the Conference of Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) held in Vienna, Copenhagen, New York and Paris. |
| On 1 December 1990, he was called to serve as Pro-Secretary of State. |
| On 29 June 1991, he was named Secretary of State. |
| Elected Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals on 30 November 2002. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Doctrine of the Faith, Bishops, Oriental Churches (congregations) |
| * Vatican City State, Institute for Works of Religion (commissions) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 28 June 1991, of the Title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano (retaining in commendam Title of Santa Maria Nova, 10 January 1994). |
| STAFFORD James Francis |
| Cardinal James Francis Stafford, Archbishop emeritus of Denver, Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, was born on 26 July 1932 in Baltimore, Maryland (United States of America), the son of F. Emmett and Mary Dorothy Stafford. |
| He studied at Loyola College, Baltimore (1950-52) and at Saint Mary’s Seminary University, Baltimore (1952-54). He also studied at the Catholic University of America (1962-64). |
| He was ordained priest on 15 December 1957 in Rome. He served as assistant priest in the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (1958-62) and in the Parish of Saint Ann (1964-65), both in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He was also chaplain to Villa Maria, Baltimore (1976-81). After pastoral ministry in various institutions, he was named chaplain of His Holiness in 1969. |
| He was named titular Bishop of Respetta and Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore on 19 January 1976, and was ordained to the episcopate on 29 February in the Cathedral of Mary Queen of Peace by Archbishop William D. Borders of Baltimore. The co-consecrating Bishops were Cardinal Lawrence Sheehan, Archbishop emeritus of Baltimore, and Bishop Austin Murphy, Auxiliary of Baltimore. |
| On 17 November 1982, he was named Bishop of Memphis, Tennessee, and on 18 January 1983 he took possession of the Diocese. |
| On 30 May 1986, he was named Archbishop of Denver, Colorado, and on 31 July he took possession of the Archdiocese. |
| He has held many positions of responsibility. Co-President of the Dialogue between Roman Catholics and Lutherans, U.S.A. (1984-97); Vicar of the Archdiocese of Baltimore (1976-83); Administrator of the Parish of Saints Philip and James, Baltimore (1980-81); Director of the Associated Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Baltimore (1966-76); Member of the Council of the Center for Metropolitan Planning of Johns Hopkins University (1973-83); President of the Senate of Priests, Archdiocese of Baltimore (1971); Member and then president of the Bishops’ Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops(1984-91). |
| He was also President of the Catholic Conference of the United States’ Adhoc Committee for the Evaluation of the Catholic Telecommunications Network (1987-89); Member of the NCCB’s Adhoc Committee on Biblical Fundamentalism (1985-87); Member of Council of Administration of the Pope John Center (1986-89); Member of the NCCB’s Dialogue between Roman Catholics and Jews (1988-91): Co-President of the NCCB’s Consultation between Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox (1988-91); President of the USCC’s Bishops’ Commission on Marriage and Family Life (1978-84); Member of the NCCB’s Commission on Doctrine (1978-84); Member of the Ordinary Synod on Marriage and the Family (1980); Co-President of the Dialogue between the World Methodist Council and Roman Catholics of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Rome (1977-87); Member of the Council of Administration of the Pontifical North American College (1989-96); Member of the Council of Administration of the Catholic University of America (1990-96); Member of the Congregation for Bishops’ Adhoc Commission on Episcopal Conferences (1990-92). |
| Resigned as Archbishop of Denver, 20 August 1996, he was named President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on 20 August 1996, succeeding Cardinal Eduardo Pironio in the position. |
| As President of the Council, he organized the twelfth World Youth Day which took place in Paris in August 1997. At the beginning of the Eucharistic Celebration at Longchamp on Sunday 24 August, Archbishop Stafford expressed to the Pope the gratitude of all the young people gathered in Paris where, he said, there was born a new "revolution of love". "You have said to our young people" - were the Archbishop’s words to the Pope – "that the heart of Christian love lies in the scandal of the Cross. This means a great overturning, where the first will be last and vice versa. Accepting your invitation, many have shown in this way their free acceptance of the Gospel in their lives." |
| Previously in 1993, as Archbishop of Denver, he had welcomed Pope John Paul II to the city chosen for the 8th World Youth Day. Archbishop Stafford introduced the people of Colorado to the Pope. "We have come together to listen to your prophetic message", he said at the start of the Mass celebrated on the Feast of the Assumption at the conclusion of the World Youth Day. |
| At the American Synod on 25 November 1995 at the Thirteenth General Congregation he spoke on the theme, "The Laity in the Culture of Disillusionment". "How can the Church catechize in a world of virtual reality?" he asked at the Synod. "The formation of lay people for communio assumes great importance in a dechristianized culture." |
| President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, 20 August 1996-4 October 2003. As president of the council, he organized the international meetings of the 12th World Youth Day in Paris in 1987; the 15th World Youth Day held in Rome-Tor Vergata during the Jubilee Year 2000 and the 17th World Youth Day in Toronto, Canada in 2002. |
| Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 4 October 2003. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Doctrine of the Faith, Bishops, Causes of Saints, Evangelization of Peoples (congregations) |
| * |
| Legislative Texts (council) |
| * Special Council for Oceania of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 1998, of the Deaconry of Good Shepherd at Montagnola. |
| STERZINSKY Georg Maximilian |
| Cardinal Georg Maximilian Sterzinsky, Archbishop of Berlin (Germany), was born on 9 February 1936 in Warlack, Germany. He was raised in a family rich of children, but already at a young age he lost his mother. Like many other families, even his, at the end of World War II in 1946 was forced to abandon their home to seek refuge in Thüringen. From 1948 he went to school in Erfurt, and in 1954 he began to study philosophy and theology at the regional seminary of Erfurt. On 29 June 1960 he was ordained a priest. |
| After spending two years at Eisenach, he served for 2 years as an assistant of theology at the seminary of Erfurt. In 1964 he was named Vicar at Heilegenstadt/Eichsfeld. For 15 years, from 1966 to 1981, he was a parish priest of the St. John the Baptist community at the University City of Jena, the most numerous parochial community within the territory of the old German Democratic Republic. On 25 June 1981 he was elected Vicar General to Bishop Joachim Wanke, Apostolic Administrator of the territories of Erfurt-Meiningen. During those years, he carried out an intense pastoral activity by occupying himself with giving assistance to deacons and candidates to the diaconate, catechists and women religious. His constant ecumenical dedication must also be remembered. On 28 May 1989 he was elected Bishop of Berlin and on the following 9th of September he received episcopal ordination. On 27 June 1994 he was named Archbishop of Berlin (Berlin was made a Metropolitan see). |
| In his although brief pastoral ministry, he already marked an era in the history of the German capital. In fact, as a Bishop he lived the events that had pronounced the end of 1989, in this case, the destruction of the iron curtain and the collapse of the Berlin wall. |
| On 11 November 1989, John Paul II wrote a letter to the Episcopal Conference of Berlin, stating that within a few days Msgr. Sterzinksy would be made president of the Conference. He was president until 1990, when the Episcopal Conference of Berlin (East Germany) was joined with the German Bishops’ Conference (West Germany) making just one Conference. |
| Archbishop of Berlin, 27 June 1994. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Catholic Education (congregation) |
| * Migrants and Itinerant Peoples (council) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 28 June 1991, of the Title of St. Joseph all’Aurelio. |
| SUÁREZ RIVERA Adolfo Antonio |
| Cardinal Adolfo Antonio Suárez Rivera, Archbishop emeritus of Monterrey (Mexico), was born on 9 January 1927 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, the son of Adolfo Suárez Solórzano and Alicia Rivera de Suárez (both deceased). He has five brothers and sisters, all married. |
| He studied classical literature for four years at the conciliar seminary of Chiapas in San Cristóbal de las Casas. |
| He studied philosophy for a year at the archdiocesan seminary of Jalapa and then for three years at the Pontifical Seminary of Montezuma in Montezuma, New Mexico, USA. |
| He then began four years of theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a doctorate in theology. He was ordained a priest in Rome on 8 March 1952 in the chapel of the Pontifical Latin-American College. |
| In 1962 he studied catechetics at the Latin-American Catechetical Institute in Santiago, Chile. |
| At the diocesan seminary of San Cristóbal de las Casas in Chiapas he served for 10 years as spiritual director and professor, first of classical literature and then of philosophy. |
| In the Archdiocesan Curia he was a department head and secretary for 10 years. |
| He also carried out an intense lay apostolate: diocesan adviser to the Christian Family Movement and to Catholic Action (youth division). He was particularly active in the field of catechesis as diocesan director of the Catechetical Office, a post he held for six years. |
| He was chaplain of Our Lady of Ransom Church in San Cristóbal de las Casas for five years. |
| He was a founding member of the interdiocesan pastoral ministry group, the Union for Mutual Episcopal Aid (UMAE), for the postconciliar updating of priests (four years, full time, 1964-1968). |
| He was parish priest of St Bartholomew's (Venustario Carranza, Chiapas) for four years (1968-1971). On 14 May 1971 he was named Bishop of Tepic and was ordained on 15 August 1971. On 8 May 1980 he was transferred to Tlalnepantla. |
| He had a number of duties at the service of the Holy See: adjunct member of the Congregation for Bishops (1979-1983); delegate by papal appointment to the Sixth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (September-October 1983) on the theme: 'Reconciliation and Penance. |
| He was appointed Archbishop of Monterrey on 8 November 1983. |
| Archbishop emeritus of Monterrey, 25 Juanuary 2003. |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 26 November 1994, of the Title of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Monte Mario. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Clergy (congregation) |
| SZOKA Edmund Casimir |
| Cardinal Edmund Casimir Szoka, Archbishop emeritus of Detroit,President of the Governatorate of Vatican City, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, and Achbishop emeritus of Detroit, was born on 14 September 1927 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His parents are Casimir, a polish immigrant, and Mary Szoka. He did his primary studies at St. Michael school in Muskegon. He entered St. Joseph’s seminary in Grand Rapids and then St. John’s in Plymouth, always in Michigan. |
| He was ordained a priest on 5 June 1954 in Marquette and served as an assistant priest in the parish of St. Francis in Manistique, Michigan. In 1955, he became secretary to the Bishop Noa of Marquette. During the period of 1955 and 1962, he also served as chaplain at St. Mary’s Hospital. In 1956, he was even chaplain at the air base of Sawiyer. |
| From 1957 to 1959, attended the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome. Upon returning to the United States, from 1960 until 1971 he served at the matrimonial tribunale of the diocese of Marquette, while at the same time serving as chancellor’s assistant (1962-69), parish priest of St. Pius X parish in Ispheming on North lake (1962-63), parish priest of St. Christopher’s (1963-71) chancellor of the diocese of Marquette. He also accompanied Bishop Noa to the first session of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council. |
| On 11 June 1971 he was elected Bishop of Gaylord in Michigan and was ordained on 20 July 1971. A year later, the Bishops of the 4th pastoral region of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops elected him president for the period of 1972-77. At the same time, he was treasurer and secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Michigan. |
| On 21 March 1981 he was named Archbishop of Detroit. Since 1981, he also served as president of the Administration Council of the provincial seminary of St. John in Plymouth and Sts. Cyril and Methodius seminary near Orchard Lake. He was also a president of the board of directors of the Episcopal Conference of Michigan, member of the executive committee of the Catholic University and president of the committee for university relations. Administrator of the National Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception, treasurer of the NCCB and served on a variety of other committees within the Conference for: human values, Bishops, dioceses and provinces, and economic affairs. |
| President of the Prefecture of Economic Affairs of the Holy See, 22 January 1990 to 14 October 1997. |
| Archbishop emeritus of Detroit, 28 April 1990. |
| On 14 October 1997, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State. |
| On 22 February 2001, President of the Governatorate of Vatican City State. |
| Curial membership: |
| * |
| Secretariat of State (second section) |
| * Causes of Saints, Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, Clergy, Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (congregations) |
| Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 28 June 1988, of the Title of St. Andrew and St. Gregory at Monte Celio. |