CONGO – 74 years, Archbishop of Kinshasa (Congo), can the Black Pope is a fine biblical scholar. E ‘was named by Pope Benedict XVI to lead the last retreat in the Vatican. ordained a priest on 21 December 1963 by Cardinal Grégoire-Pierre Agagianian, then prefect of Propaganda Fide. Key point of his cultural background is to have studied from 1964 to 1970 in the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and Jerusalem. First African to have a bachelor’s degree in biblical sciences: “The notion of nomos dans le Pentateuque grec” the subject of his doctoral dissertation, published in “Anacleta Bible” (n. 52).
Returning home, he joined the pastoral teaching of Holy Scripture, for ten years, in the faculty of theology at the major seminary in Kinshasa and John XXIII. So, as part of the Episcopal Conference, was Deputy Secretary-General from 1972 to 1975 and then secretary-general until 1980, as well as representative of the episcopate with the Government. At forty, February 13, 1980, he was appointed titular bishop of Waters of New Proconsolare and auxiliary Inongo. On May 4, he was ordained in Kinshasa by John Paul II, in his first apostolic journey to Africa.
A year later, April 7, 1981, he became auxiliary bishop of Kisangani and seven years later, on 1 September 1988, the archbishop of the diocese. A service that has played for nineteen years. Meanwhile, in 1984, was elected president of the Episcopal Conference, unusual role for an auxiliary bishop, and he held this office until 1992. He was reelected in 2004 and remaining in office until 2008. From 1997 to 2003 he served as President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), after having served as vice president from 1994 to 1997. A warrant carried out with the conviction that the Church – he says – “has the duty to intervene in a loud voice to say to the parties that Christian charity is an indispensable condition for reconciliation.” Busy in the forefront of the movement Pax Christi International – especially in reconciliation initiatives in the Great Lakes region – it served as vice president from 1999 to 2007 and co-chair from 2007 to 2009. Cardinal since 2010.
United States – 73 years old, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, studies at the Catholic University of America and then to the Gregorian University in Rome, host of the North American College, PhD in theology at the Ateneo St. Thomas, was ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II in 1986 and assigned as an auxiliary in Seattle, Washington. Since 1987 he has led the Diocese of Pittsburgh for 18 years before being appointed in 2006 in Washington DC. It ‘cardinal by 201 Member of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Congregation for the Clergy. As president of the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the American bishops had moved the emphasis to the text of sr. Elizabeth Johnson of Fordham University, “In search of the living God,” saying that “undermines the gospel at the root.” Last Synod of Bishops in October 2012 was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as rapporteur-general. His last pastoral letter last September entitled “The Church our home.”
BRASILE-Brasile, 65 anni. E’ stato consacrato vescovo all’età di 46 e nel 2011 è stato chiamato al Vaticano da Benedetto XVI. E’ l’attuale Prefetto della Congregazione per gli Istituti di Vita Consacrata.
ITALY-78 years of Romano Canavese, Piedmont. Vatican Secretary of State and Camerlengo. Studies at the Salesian High School Valsalice oratory of Valdocco (that of St. John Bosco), then entered the novitiate at Monte Oliveto (Pinerolo). Ordained a priest in 1960, he obtained a licentiate in theology with a dissertation on tolerance and religious freedom. Continued his studies in Rome, he obtained a doctorate in canon law (one of the editors of the new edition of the Code). In 1967 he was appointed professor of moral theology at the Salesian in the capital, where he became rector in 1989. Two years later he was appointed archbishop of Vercelli, Piedmont in 1995 left the diocese to become secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Joseph Ratzinger’s deputy). In December 2002 he became archbishop of Genoa in 2003, John Paul II elevated him to the rank of cardinal. As the right arm of Cardinal Ratzinger, at the time of the former Holy Office took charge of the dossier hottest: liberation theology, the schism of Lefebvre, the third secret of Fatima (to dispel rumors of an alleged fourth secret, the apparitions of Medjugorje the case Milingo.Nominato Secretary of State by Pope Benedict XVI holds the position since 15 September 2006. on 4 April 2007, the Pope chose him as chamberlain, Cardinal guards the apostolic See in the absence of the Pope.
Born in Kabba in Nigeria in 1944, he completed his studies in Rome where he was ordained a priest in 1969.Diventa rector of the seminary of Kokoja and received his doctorate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the University Urbaniana.Nel 1980 John Paul II appointed him a member of the international Theological Commission and three years after the Bishop of Ilorin in the state of Kwara. Since 1994 he has auxiliary Abuja and since 1994 the metropolitan of diocesi.Presidente of the Episcopal Conference and the Association interdenominational Christian Nigerians (NIREC), co-chair of the African Council of Religious Leaders and Religions for Peace (ACRL-RFP) has denounced the tragic situation in Nigeria today on several occasions: significant his testimony last Synod of Bishops autumn scorso.Valido bearer of the emerging African theology, is known for its commitment to dialogue between fedi.Per his tireless activity in the construction of inter-religious dialogue in 2012 was awarded by Pax Christi International Peace Prize during a ceremony in Brussels on 31 October has been set in that case a “bridge builder”.
ITALY-70, archbishop of Genoa, president of the Italian bishops. Strong spirituality and proven obedience, spiritual son of Cardinal Siri. On 29 June 1966 he was ordained a priest. He graduated in Philosophy at the University of Genoa in 1979. Parochial vicar from 1966 to 1985 in the parish of “St. Peter and St. Theresa of the Child Jesus” in Genoa. . From 1980 to 1998 Professor of Metaphysics and contemporary atheism at the Theological Faculty of Northern Italy, Parallel Section of Genoa. From 1975 to 1984 Professor of Italian in the High School Seminary. From 1980 to 1995 he was Assistant Diocesan FUCI From 1985 to 1996 he was Director of the Catechetical Office of the Diocese and Liguria, as well as Regional Delegate for the Pastoral Care of the School. From 1986 to 1994 Professor and Dean of the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences of Genoa. On 3 January 1998 he was appointed Bishop of Pesaro and 11 March 2000 Archbishop. In 2003, 20 June, he was appointed Archbishop Military Ordinary for Italy. Since 2005 he has been Secretary of the Episcopal Commission IEC for Culture and Social Communications. On 29 August 2006 he was appointed Archbishop of Genoa. On 26 September 2006 he was elected President of the Episcopal Conference Ligure. On 7 March 2007 he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI President of the Italian Episcopal Conference. On 24 November 2007, he was created Cardinal. On 30 September 2011 he was elected Vice President of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences for the years 2011-2016.