Papal Transition
A voice that proposed love and fulfillment
The following editorial appeared in the Feb. 13 issue of The Record, newspaper of the Archdiocese of Perth, Australia. It was written by Peter Rosengren, the editor. It seems nearly impossible to say anything that will be unique or new about the most talked about news of the week, and probably of the year. However, […]
Pope considering last-minute changes to conclave rules, Vatican says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is considering making some changes to the conclave rules and rituals before he leaves office Feb. 28, the Vatican spokesman confirmed. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters Feb. 20 that any papal document is more likely to deal with possible discrepancies between the apostolic constitution governing […]
Cardinal focuses on evangelizing power of Catholic social teaching
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Taking the helm of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in 2009, near the beginning of the global financial crisis, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson's work has focused heavily on promoting Pope Benedict XVI's calls for more carefully regulated international markets and for real solidarity with the poor. The 64-year-old former archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, also continued his longtime defense of Catholic teaching on the family while highlighting the connection between strong families and strong, peaceful societies.
With huge diocese, Brazilian cardinal uses variety of media to teach
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Brazilian Cardinal Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paulo, 63, heads Brazil's largest diocese and ministers in one of the most populous cities in the world. In the city of more than 11 million people -- more than 80 percent of whom are Catholic -- the cardinal oversees parishes that struggle with high poverty rates, crime, youth unemployment and lack of basic services like running water.
Outspoken Honduran cardinal known for charm, international charity work
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, 70, is a personal ambassador of the Catholic Church's emergency relief and development aid and probably the best-known Latin American member of the College of Cardinals. In May 2011, he was elected to a second four-year term as president of Caritas Internationalis, the Vatican-based umbrella organization for national Catholic charities around the globe. Under his presidency, he has worked with Vatican officials and Caritas leaders to implement new rules requested by Pope Benedict XVI to strengthen the agencies' Catholic identity and their ties to their local bishops.
Life in Latin America, Quebec, Rome gives cardinal unique world view
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- With extensive experience in Latin America, the Vatican and his home province of Quebec, Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet possesses broad knowledge of the universal church as well as strong pastoral and leadership skills from serving as the former primate of Canada. Today the 68-year-old cardinal leads the Congregation for Bishops -- the office that helps the pope choose bishops for Latin-rite dioceses around the world. With his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, he became the first North American cardinal to be placed in charge of the powerful congregation.
Hungarian cardinal’s ministry, reach extend well beyond Europe
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo ministers from the heart of Europe, but with a concern and contacts that span the globe. The 60-year-old archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Cardinal Erdo serves as the president of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences, coordinating common projects on the continent as well as European church support for Catholic communities in the developing world.
Biographer: In past six months, pope was ‘exhausted and disheartened’
OXFORD, England (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI was “exhausted and disheartened” well before his Feb. 11 resignation announcement, according to his German biographer, Peter Seewald. In an article, “Farewell to my pope,” in the Feb. 18 issue of Germany’s Focus weekly, Seewald said he had held several Vatican meetings with the 85-year-old pontiff over the […]
Catholics in Archdiocese asked to offer prayers for Pope Benedict, cardinals
The retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave to elect a new pope will take place in Rome but plans to pray for both are underway in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Top among them is a Mass to be celebrated 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 for Pope Benedict at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia.
Before conclave, Cardinal Rigali lists qualities cardinals will seek in electing next pope
Philadelphia’s Archbishop Emeritus, Cardinal Justin Rigali, was just as surprised as everyone else by the almost unprecedented Feb. 11 announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that he would resign from the papacy at 8 p.m. Rome time, Feb. 28. "We all know the extraordinary issues he has to face day in and day out," the Cardinal said, "so he very candidly said, ‘I had been thinking about this and I am now convinced the role of successor St. Peter is so involved, I don’t have the strength.’ This was beautiful, because he certainly gave his all in everything that he did.”