Seventeen new Cardinals were named on Saturday. They come from all over the world and a range of backgrounds.
The Pope Francis has now chosen 44 cardinal electors. That’s about a third of the number allowed by Church Law to choose his successor.
Thirteen of his newest Cardinals are under the age of 80. While they are under 80 they are eligible to choose his successor.
Three of them are from the US, while others come from a wide variety of places, including Malaysia, Lesotho, Bangladesh and Mauritus.
Some are from places where Catholics are in the minority.
The only Italian is the Papal envoy to Syria.
In Saturday’s ceremony elevating the 17 to the College of Cardinals, Francis warned them against becoming victim to a “growing animosity” between people and xenophobia.
He is particularly concerned that they avoid creating or falling into divisions within the Church.
At present divisions within the Church are appearing as some conservative Cardinals are challenging his stance on matters involving including divorce, remarriage and communion.
The Pope also encouraged them to look out for refugees and protect them.
Francis, who celebrates diversity, said “We come from distant lands; we have different traditions, skin color, languages and social backgrounds; we think differently and we celebrate our faith in a variety of rites.
“None of this makes us enemies; instead, it is one of our greatest riches.”
The new Cardinals are looking forward to stepping up to meet the challenges.
One said, “It’s getting out of hand in society today, where people almost have this contagious inflammation of animosity towards each other because they’re different, they speak different languages, they look different. Are we going to be swept up in this violence?”
Another agreed. “We cardinals have to contribute… to make sure there is respect and dialogue everywhere, both in the Church and in the world.”
Source
- BBC NEWS
- Inquirer.net
- Image: KBC TV
