The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church - Biographies - V

The Cardinals of the Holy Roman ChurchBiographical Dictionary
(1903-2009)
V

Birth. February 4, 1912, Saint-Frédéric-de-Beauce, archdiocese of Québec, Canada. The only boy of the family of six children of Napoléon Vachon and Alexandrine Gilbert.

Education. Minor Seminary, Québec (classics; bachelor of arts, 1934); Grand Seminary of Québec, Québec (theology); University of Laval, Québec (doctorate in philosophy, 1947); Pontifical Angelicum Athenaeum, Rome (doctorate in theology, 1949).

Priesthood. Ordained, June 11, 1938, Québec, by Cardinal Jean-Marie-Rodrigue Villeneuve, archbishop of Québec. Further studies, Québec and Rome, 1938-1949. Professor of philosophy at the University of Laval, 1941-1947; professor of theology, 1949-1955. Rector of the Grand Seminary of Québec, 1955-1958. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, April 24, 1958. Vice-rector, University of Laval, 1959; rector, 1960-1972. Superior general of the Seminary of Québec, 1960-1977. Vicar general of the archdiocese of Québec, 1960-1981. Protonotary apostolic supernumerary, October 1, 1962.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Mesarfelta and appointed auxiliary of Québec, April 4, 1977. Consecrated, May 14, 1977, Québec, by Cardinal Maurice Roy, archbishop of Québec, assisted by Jean-Marie Fortier, archbishop of Sherbrooke, and by Lionel Audet, titular bishop of Tibari, auxiliary of Québec. Promoted to the metropolitan and primatial see of Québec, March 20, 1981. Attended the Sixth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 28, 1983.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of May 25, 1985; received the red biretta and the title of S. Paolo della Croce a "Corviale", May 25, 1985. Resigned the pastoral government of the archdiocese, March 17, 1990. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned 80 years of age, February 4, 1992. He retired first in Québec and then in Beauport. For several years, due to health problems, he had lived in a residence for aged persons in the region of Québec. He received eleven honorary doctorate degrees, among them from the universities of Strasbourg, France, and Notre-Dame, Indiana, United States of America.

Death. September 29, 2006, Québec. The body was exposed in the Seminary of Québec, and later, in the cathedral-basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec, on Wednesday October 4, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a liturgical celebration at 7:30 p.m., and on Thursday October 5th from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The funeral, presided by Cardinal Marc Ouellet, P.S.S., archbishop of Québec, and concelebrated by twenty-five Canadian bishops, took place on Thursday October 5, 2006, at 11 a.m., in the cathedral-basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec. Archbishop Luigi Ventura, nuncio in Canada, delivered a message of condolence from Pope Benedict XVI. The funeral was attended by the immediate family of the late cardinal, around 1,000 faithful, Lieutenant-governor Lise Thibault; the Anglican archbishop of Québec, Bruce Stavert; two former mayors of Québec and the current one, Gilles Lamontagne, Jean Pelletier and Andrée Boucher; the archbishop emeritus of Québec Maurice Couture; Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montréal; and Gilles Cazabon, bishop of Saint-Jérôme and president of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Québec. The remains of the cardinal were buried in the crypt of the bishops in the same cathedral basilica.

Bibliography. LeBlanc, Jean. Dictionnaire biographique des évêques catholiques du Canada. les diocèses catholiques canadiens des Églises latine et orientales et leurs évêques; repères chronologiques et biographiques, 1658-2202. Ottawa : Wilson & Lafleur, 2002. (Gratianus. Série instruments de recherche), pp. 853-855.

Links. Photograph and biography, in French; and his arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Birth. February 26, 1906, Rome, Italy. Son of Francesco Vagnozzi and Pasqua Jachetti.

Education. Vatican Minor Seminary, Vatican; Pontifical Roman Seminary, Rome; Pontifical Lateran Athenaeum, Rome (doctorates in philosophy, theology and canon law).

Priesthood. Ordained, December 22, 1928, with dispensation for not having yet reached the canonical age, Rome, by Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val. Further studies, 1928-1930. Staff member of the Secretariat of State, 1930-1932. Privy chamberlain of His Holiness, May 1, 1932. Staff member of the apostolic delegation in the United States of America, 1932-1942. Reappointed privy chamberlain of His Holiness, March 3, 1939. Counselor of the nunciature in Portugal, 1942-1945; of the nunciature in France, 1945-1947. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, December 23, 1945. Staff member of the delegation for the establishment of diplomatic relations with India, 1947-1948. Extraordinary papal envoy to the Independence Celebrations, Ceylon, February 25, 1948. Chargé d'affaires of the Holy See before the new Indian government, New Delhi, June to August 1948.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Mira and appointed apostolic delegate in Philippines, March 9, 1949. Consecrated, May 22, 1949, Rome, by Cardinal Adeodato Giovanni Piazza, O.C.D., secretary of S.C. Consistorial, assisted by Francesco Borgongini-Duca, titular archbishop of Eraclea di Europa, nuncio in Italy, and by Roberto Ronca, titular archbishop of Lepanto, prelate nullius of Pompei. Nuncio in Philippines, August 9, 1951. Apostolic delegate in the United States of America, December 16, 1958. Attended the Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of June 26, 1967; received the red biretta and the title of S. Giuseppe in Via Trionfale, June 29, 1967. President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, January 13, 1968. Attended the First Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 11 to 28, 1969; the II Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to November 6, 1971. Opted for order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated pro illa vice to title, March 5, 1973. Attended the III Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 27 to October 26, 1974; the IV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 29, 1977. Participated in the conclave of August 25 to 26,1978, which elected Pope John Paul I. Participated in the conclave of October 14 to 16,1978, which elected Pope John Paul II. Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, June 30, 1979 until his death; the post remained vacant until the election of Cardinal Maximilien de Furstenberg on May 24, 1982. Attended the First Plenary Assembly of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Vatican City, November 5 to 9, 1979; and the V Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 26 to October 25, 1980.

Death. December 26, 1980, in his Roman residence. Exposed in the oratory of basilica of S. Giuseppe in Via Trionfale; later, the body of the late cardinal was transferred to the patriarchal Vatican basilica, where the funeral took place presided by Pope John Paul II. Buried, Campo Verano, cemetery, Rome. The body was transferred to the basilica of S. Giuseppe in Via Trionfale in March 1983.

Bibliography. Code, Bernard. Dictionary of the American Hierarchy (1789-1964). New York : Joseph F. Wagner, 1964, pp. 287-288.

Link. His arms, Arladica Vaticana.

Birth. August 18, 1895, Bernāne, parish of Vārkava, archdiocese of Mohilev, Russia (1).

Education. Finished his secondary education (gymnasium) in Preiļi in 1913; then, entered the Theological Seminary of the archdiocese Mohilev in St. Petersburg, Russia. Later, he attended the Theological Faculty of Riga, where he earned a licentiate in theology on June 23, 1943 (thesis: Garīrgā dzīive un tās vadiīaji Kurzemē XVIII gs. (Spiritual Life and Church Hierarchy in Kurzemē in the 18th century)).

Priesthood. Ordained, April 7, 1918, in St. Petersburg, by Jan Cieplak, titular bishop of Eurea di Fenicia, suffragan of Mohilev. Incardinated in the archdiocese of Mohilev. Celebrated his first mass in the parish of Jaunavas Marijas Debesīs Uznemšanas in Vārkava. From June 9, 1918 to February 21, 1919, he was chaplain of Jaunavas Marijas Debesīs Uznemšanas in Aglona; from February 21, 1919 to February 24, 1920, he was parish priest of the same parish. Incardinated in the diocese of Riga when it was erected on September 22, 1918. From February 24, 1920 to September 23, 1920, he was chaplain of the gymnasium in Rēzekne. From September 23, 1920 to August 9, 1921, chaplain of Jaunavas Marijas Debesīs Uznemšanas in Ludza and chaplain of the gymnasium in Ludza. From August 9, 1921 to August 31, 1924, chaplain of the gymnasium in Daugavpils. From August 31, 1924 to February 20, 1925, chaplain of Jaunavas Marijas Debesīs Uznemšanas in Varakļāni. From February 20, 1925 to September 27, 1933; parish priest of Sv. Trīsvienības in Lē nas; during this time he founded filial-parishes in Vaiņode (chapel Sv. Krusta), Saldus and Silaiņi. From September 27, 1933 to June 26, 1936, parish priest of Sv. Miķeļa in Alsunga, during this time he founded the parish of Sv. Stanislava in Dviete and became in addition its first parish priest on June 26, 1936. From October 14, 1936 to April 13, 1937, parish priest of Sv. Krusta in Jaunjelgava. From April 13, 1937 to July 28, 1938; parish priest of Sv. Krusta in Ventspils. With the erection of the diocese of Liepāja on May 8, 1937, he was incardinated in this diocese. In 1938 he was decorated with the cross of merit of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Latvia (Triju Zvaigžļu Ordenis). From July 28, 1938 to April 6, 1940, parish priest of the cathedral Sv. Jēzepa in Liepāja and diocesan chancellor. Named canon of the cathedral chapter of Sv. Jēzepa on December 30, 1938. Vicar general of Liepāja from April 6, 1940; in addition, from April 8, 1940, he was also curia judge. On August 16, 1944, he was named dean of the denate of Kurzemē. When Latvia was occupied by German troups in 1944, the bishop of Liepāja had leave his diocese on October 7, 1944, and handed over all rights and obligations to Msgr. Vaivods; he took care of the diocese under the heavy conditions of the Germans until May 1945; and then during the following Soviet occupation until July 25, 1947, when Peters Strods, titular bishop of Stadia, was named apostolic administrator of the diocese of Liepāja. Bishop Strods confirmed Msgr. Vaivods as vicar general of the diocese and diocesan chancellor. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, July 4, 1949; he did not learn about this nomination until fourteen years later. On January 2, 1958, he was arrested by the Soviet authorities; and on February 11, 1958, he was sentenced to prison for two years. He spent this time in a concentration camp in Mordovia. On January 2, 1960, he returned to Liepāja, but he was not allowed to work as a priest for half a year. From June 11, 1960 to March 27, 1961, he was parish priest of Sv. Krusta in Vaiņode. From March 27, 1961 to November 15, 1962, parish priest of the cathedral of Sv. Jēkaba in Riga. From November 15, 1962, vicar general of the archdiocese of Riga. Attended the third session of the Second Vatican Council, September 14 to November 21, 1964, by papal invitation. He was the author of several publications on the history of the Catholic church and on the history of Latvia.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Macriana maggiore and appointed apostolic administrator ad nutum Sanctæ Sedis of Riga and Liepāja, November 10, 1964. Consecrated, November 18, 1964, chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa, patriarchal Vatican basilica, by Cardinal Paolo Marella, assisted by Jāzeps Rancāns, titular bishop of Marcopoli, auxiliary of Riga (expelled from his office in 1944 and living in exile in Grand Rapids, United States), and by Boļeslas Sloskāns, titular bishop of Cillio, apostolic administrator of Minsk and of Mohilev (expelled from his office since 1926 and living in exile in Louvain, Belgium). Took possession of the see on December 8, 1964, in the cathedral of Sv. Jēkaba in Riga. Attended the fourth session of the Second Vatican Council, September 14 to December 8, 1965. President of the Episcopal Conference of Latvia. Attended the First Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 29, 1967; the First Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 11 to 28, 1969; the Second Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to November 6, 1971. Received the cross of merit cross, second class, of the Order of Merit of Saint Vladimir by Patriarch Alexij of Moscow on April 16, 1968; and the cross of merit cross, first class, of the Order of Merit of Saint Vladimir by the same patriarch, on August 18, 1975. Between 1964 and 1986 he ordained sixty eight priests.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 2, 1983; received the red biretta and the title of Ss. IV Coronati, February 2, 1983. Did not have the right to participate in the conclave because he was promoted to the cardinalate when he was over 80 years of age. His celebrated his first mass as cardinal on March 8, 1983, in Sv. Alberta in Riga. Attended the Sixth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 28, 1983; the Second Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 24 to December 8, 1985; the Seventh Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 1 to 30, 1987. He was the first Latvian cardinal.

Death. May 24, 1990, 2.35 a.m., in Riga. The funeral mass was celebrated on May 28, 1990, in the cathedral of Sv. Jēkaba in Riga. The late cardinal was buried on May 29, 1990, in the garden of the minor basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aglona, Latvia. His remains were reburied on June 1, 1993, in the crypt of that church after the reconstruction work was finished. At his death, he was the oldest member of the Sacred College of Cardinals. In 1995, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth, a stamp with his portrait was issued by the Republic of Latvia.

Link. Photographs and brief biographical entry, in Latvian.

(1) Since the independence of Latvia in 1918 and erection of the Catholic hierarchy in the same year, the parish of Vārkava formed part of the diocese of Riga (archdiocese since 1923); and is now in the diocese of Rēzekne-Aglona.

Birth. November 7, 1883, Santa Fiora, diocese of Città della Pieve, Italy.

Education. Roman-Pio Seminary, Rome; Pontifical Roman Athenaeum "S. Apollinare", Rome.

Priesthood. Ordained, December 21, 1907, Rome. Faculty member of the Pontifical Regional Seminary, Fano, 1907-1909. Faculty member of the Pontifical Roman Athenueum "S. Apollinare", 1904-1920. Military chaplain in the First World War, 1914-1919. Staff member of the Secretariat of State, 1920-1921. Auditor of the nunciature in France, 1921-1927. Privy chamberlain of His Holiness, July 6, 1921; reappointed, May 5, 1922. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, July 22, 1923.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Efeso, October 18, 1927. Appointed apostolic delegate in Egypt and Arabia, October 19, 1927. Consecrated, Friday October 28, 1927, church of S. Cuore ai Prati di Castello, Rome, by Cardinal Donato Sbarretti, prefect of the S.C. of the Council, assisted by Pietro Benedetti, M.S.C., titular archbishop of Tiro, and by Giuseppe Angelucci, bishop of Città della Pieve. Named nuncio in Rumania, July 1, 1933. Nuncio in France, July 11, 1936. Awarded the grand cross of the Légion d'Honneur, in 1944 when he left France. Assigned to the section of extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs in the Secretariat of State, 1944-1948. Assessor of the S.C. for the Oriental Church, September 1, 1948. President of the Central Committee for the Holy Year, June 28, 1948.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of January 12, 1953; received the red hat and the title of S. Silvestro in Capite, January 15, 1953. Prefect of the S.C. for Religious, January 17, 1953. Papal legate to the Marian Congress, Trois-Rivières, Canada, July 2, 1954. Participated in the conclave of 1958, which elected Pope John XXIII. Attended the first session of the Second Vatican Council, 1962. Participated in the conclave of 1963, which elected Pope Paul VI.

Death. July 22, 1963, Rome. Buried in the tomb of his family in Santa Fiora, Città della Pieve.

Link. Photograph and arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Birth. August 21, 1853 (1), Cavour, archdiocese of Turin, Italy. Son of Count Giacinto Valfrè and Erminia del Carretto. Received the sacrament of confirmation, April 22, 1866.

Education. Seminary of Turin, Turin, 1871; University of Turin, Turin (doctorate in theology, July 17, 1876); Roman Seminary, Rome (doctorate in canon law, June 18, 1880); Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Rome. Received the insignias of the clerical character and the minor orders, March 7, 1875; subdiaconate, December 18, 1875; diaconate, Aprl 1, 1876. Classmate and friend of Giacomo della Chiesa, future Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922).

Priesthood. Ordained, June 10 (2), 1876. Further studies, Rome, 1876-1880. Minutante of the S.C. of Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. Domestic prelate of His Holiness. Apostolic delegate and extraordinary envoy to Costa Rica, July 11, 1884; his mission was delayed because of the outbreak of the antireligious movement prevalent at the time; the diplomatic relations were not normalized until 1908.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Cuneo, March 27, 1885. Consecrated, May 3, 1885, church of S. Filippo, Turin, by Cardinal Gaetano Alimonda, assisted by Filippo Chiesa, bishop of Pinerolo, and by Giovanni Battista Bertagna, titular bishop of Cafarnaum, auxiliary of Turin. Transferred to the diocese of Como, March 18, 1895. Assistant at the Pontifical Throne, April 5, 1895. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Vercelli, March 27, 1905. Transferred to the titular see of Trebizonda (3), September 13, 1916. Nuncio in Austria-Hungary, September 14, 1916 (4); represented the pope at the coronation of the new Austrian Emperor Karl I (5) and Empress Zita.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of December 15, 1919; received the red hat and the title of S. Maria sopra Minerva, December 18, 1919. Prefect of the S.C. for Religious, March 6, 1920. Participated in the conclave of 1922, which elected Pope Pius XI.

Death. June 25, 1922, Rome. Buried in the tomb of his family in the cemetry of Brá.

Bibliography. Benedict XV ; Rumi, Giorgio. Lettere ad un amico, Teodoro Valfrè di Bonzo. Milano : NED, 1992. Contents : Lettere da Madrid -- Lettere da Roma -- Lettere da Bologna -- Lettere da Roma. Responsibility: Giacomo Della Chiesa (Benedict XV); a cura e con introduzione di Giorgio Rumi ; premessa di Paolo Emilio Taviani; Squcciarini, Donato. Nunci apostolici a Vienna. Città del Vaticano : Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 1998, pp. 247-250.

Link. Biography, in German.

(1) This is according to Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 234; his biography in German, linked above, indicates that he was born on August 21, 1855.
(2) This is according to Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 234; his biography in German, linked above, indicates that he was ordained on June 3, 1876.
(3) This see is also called Trapezus.
(4) During his nunciature, at the end of the First World War, the Austro-Hungarian empire fell and the Republik Österreich was established; its first ambassador before the Holy See was Ludwig von Pastor, author of the famous 40-volume History of the Popes, from the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Martin V in 1417 to the end of that of Pope Pius VI in 1799.
(5) He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 3, 2004.

Birth. November 9, 1922, Lima, Perú.

Education. Joined the Society of Jesus, Novitiate of St. Stanislas Kostka, Miraflores, March 9, 1940; Jesuit Philosophical Faculty, San Miguel, Argentina and Madrid, Spain; Jesuit Theological Faculty, Granada, Spain; University of San Marcos, Lima (doctorate in education).

Priesthood. Ordained, July 15, 1955, Madrid, by José María García Lahiguera, titular bishop of Zela, auxiliary of Madrid. Spiritual director and rector (1969-1975) of "La Inmaculada" Jesuit school, Lima; provincial delegate for Jesuit educational works in Perú; provincial counselor and master of novices; director of the Marian sodality; pastoral ministry among students and founder of Hogar de Cristo and of schools Fe y Alegría.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Cissi and appointed apostolic vicar of Jaén in Perú or San Francisco Javier, June 8, 1978. Consecrated, August 15, 1978, by Carlo Furno, titular archbishop of Abari, nuncio in Perú, assisted by Ricardo Durand Flórez, S.J., archbishop bishop of El Callao, and by Manuel Prado Pérez-Rosas, S.J., archbishop of Trujillo. Elected secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Perú, 1982; reelected twice. Resigned the pastoral government of the vicariate, August 23, 1985. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Lima, December 30, 1989. Grand chancellor of the Pontifical Catholic University of Perú, 1989-1999. Attended the Eighth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 28, 1990; the Fourth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 12 to 28, 1992. President ad interim of the Episcopal Conference of Perú, 1993-1994; president, 1994-1999. Attended the Ninth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 29, 1994.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of November 26, 1994; received the red biretta and the title of S. Roberto Bellarmino, November 26, 1994. Attended the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 16 to December 12, 1997. Resigned the pastoral government of the archdiocese, January 9, 1999. Continued ministering at a homeless shelter he founded in Lima.

Death. September 4, 2000, of "derrame cerebral" (apoplexy), in a clinic in Lima. Buried in the crypt of the metropolitan cathedral basilica of Lima.

Link. Photograph, arms, and biography, in Spanish.

Birth. Fiumelatte di Varenna, archdiocese of Milan, Italy, on October 4, 1889. His mother died on the day of his priestly ordination.

Priesthood. Ordained on July 6, 1913, by Cardinal Andrea Carlo Ferrari, archbishop of Milan. He was assigned to the parish of S. Tecla as coadjutor ad tempus and named spiritual assistant to the "Suore di Maria Bambina". Don Giovanni Rossi, secretary to Cardinal Ferrari, asked him to serve as Adjunct to the Cardinal, whom he assisted especially during his last illness. He was asked to keep his position as Adjunct by Don Carlo Confalonieri, Secretary to Cardinal Achille Ratti, who succeeded Cardinal Ferrari as archbishop of Milan. He was called to Rome by Cardinal Ratti following his election to the pontificate as Pope Pius XI. Privy chamberlain and vestiari of His Holiness, 1922. Protonotary apostolic sopranumerario of His Holiness, January 22, 1936. When Archbishop Confalonieri suffered from exhaustion during his episcopate at L'Aquila, Msgr. Venini offered him his residence in Rome and the best doctors whom he had met during the lengthy illness of Pope Pius XI. He was named canon of the chapter of the patriarchal Vatican basilica, where he also was sacristan.

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Adana and appointed secret almoner of His Holiness, January 11, 1951. Consecrated, February 4, 1951, at the patriarchal Vatican basilica, by Cardinal Eugène Tisserant, bishop of Ostia and Porto e Santa Rufina, dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals, assisted by Carlo Confalonieri , titular archbishop of Nicopoli al Nesto, secretary of the S.C. for Seminaries and Universities, and by Francesco Beretti, titular archbishop of Leontopoli in Panfilia, commendatore of the Archhospital of Spirito Santo in Sassia. He was offered the see of Anagni but he declined.

Cardinalate. According to his own writings, in November 1960 he was offered the promotion to the cardinalate by Pope John XXIII, but he declined. On December 12, 1968, because of age and poor health, he resigned the post of secret almoner of His Holiness.

Death. July 20, 1981, of pneumonia, at Casa Di Cura Privata Capitanio, Milan, where he resided for the last five years of his life. The funeral took place on July 23 in the parish church of Fiumelatte di Varenna, where his body was buried. On August 2, in the patriarchal Vatican basilica, a requiem mass took place in the patriarchal Vatican basilica, presided by Cardinal Carlo Confalonieri, bishop of the title of suburbicarian sees of Ostia and Palestrina, dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals.

Bibliography. Consonni, Lauro ; Ferrara, Paolo. Mons. Diego Venini accanto agli Arcivescovi di Milano. Bellano, 2001; Venini, Diego ; Cajani, Franco. Diego Venini al servizio di Pio XII : diari 1940 - 1958. Desio : Centro Interazionale di Studi e Documentazione Pio XI, 2007. (I quaderni della Brianza). Responsibility: a cura di Franco Cajani.

VERDE, Alessandro

Birth. March 27, 1865, Sant'Antimo, diocese of Aversa, Italy.

Education. Studied at the Seminary of Aversa; and later, at the Pontifical Roman Seminary "S. Apollinare", Rome, where he obtained doctorates in theology in 1890; and utroque iure, both canon and civil law in 1893.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 31, 1888, Aversa. Further studies, Rome. Aiutante di studio of the sub-promoter of the Faith of the S.C. of Rites, 1894. Pastoral ministry in the diocese of Rome. Professor of civil law at the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum "S. Apollinare", 1896-1897. Privy chamberlain of His Holiness, March 24, 1897. Assessor of the S.C. of Propaganda Fide, June 1, 1897. Promoter of the faith in S.C. of Propaganda Fide, January 11, 1902. Lawyer in the S.C. Consistorial, January 13, 1902. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, January 16, 1902. Protonotary apostolic and canon of the patriarchal Lateran basilica, December 14, 1905. Secretary of the S.C. of Rites, June 26, 1915. Canon of the patriarchal Vatican basilica, March 19, 1916.

Cardinal Created cardinal deacon in the consistory of December 14, 1925; received the red hat and the deaconry of S. Maria in Cosmedin, December 17, 1925. Opted for the order of cardinal priests and his deaconry was elevated pro illa vice to title, December 16, 1935. Participated in the conclave of 1939, which elected Pope Pius XII. Archpriest of the patriarchal Liberian basilica, October 11, 1939. Cardinal protopriest, April 8, 1957.

Death. March 29, 1958, serenely, in Villa San Francisco, headquarters of the German Franciscan Order of the Holy Cross, located in the heart of Rome's Parioli Quarters, shortly after receiving the last sacraments and a special blessing from the pope. Buried in his family's tomb in Sant'Antimo. At his death, two days after his ninety third birthday, he was the oldest and most senior member of the Sacred College of Cardinals.

Bibliography. Daniel, Charles; Paul-Marie Baumgarten; Antoine de Waal. Rome; le chef suprême l'organisation et l'administration centrale de l'église. Paris : Plon, 1900, p. 682; "Liste des cardinaux par ordre alphabétique." Annuaire Pontifical Catholique de 1936, Paris : Maison de la Bonne Presse, 1937, p. 111; Molari, Carlo. "Card. Alessandro Verde." La Pontificia Università lateranense : profilo della sua storia, dei suoi maestri, e dei suoi discepoli. Roma : Libreria editrice della Pontificia Università lateranense, 1963, p. 234.

Link. His photograph and arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Birth. February 19, 1864, La-Croix-Barrez, diocese of Rodez, France.

Education. Seminary of Rodez, Rodez. Joined the Society of Saint-Sulpice, 1886, Paris.

Priesthood. Ordained, April 9, 1887, Rome. Faculty member of the Seminary of Perigueux, 1887-1898; its rector, 1898-1912. Faculty member and superior of the Seminary "Des Carmes," Paris, 1912-1920. Honorary canon of the metropolitan cathedral of Paris, 1923. Vice-superior general of his society, 1926-1929; superior general, July 16, 1929. Vicar general of the archdiocese of Paris, April 15, 1929. Protonotary apostolic, October 12, 1929.

Episcopate. Elected archbishop of Paris, November 18, 1929. Consecrated, December 29, 1929, Sistine chapel, by Pope Pius XI, assisted by Alfred-Henri-Marie Baudrillart, Orat., titular archbishop of Melitene, vicar general of Paris, and by Emmanuel-Anatole Chaptal, titular bishop of Isinda, auxiliary of Paris for the foreigners.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of December 16, 1929; received the red hat and the title of S. Balbina, December 19, 1929. Papal legate to the Marian Congress, Lourdes, France, July 15, 1930; to the centennial celebration of the Conferences of Saint Vincent de Paul, Paris, March 14, 1933; to the First National Catholic Congress, Prague, Czechoslovakia, June 20, 1935; to the consecration of the cathedral of Dakar, Sénégal, January 12, 1936; to the National Marian Congress, Aiguebelle, France, September 7, 1937. Participated in the conclave of 1939, which elected Pope Pius XII. Papal legate to the 12th National Eucharistic Congress, Algiers, April 16, 1939.

Death. April 9, 1940, Paris. Buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Paris.

Bibliography. Breiere, Yves de la. "Le Cardinal Verdier. Son rôle en France et hors de France." Etudes, CCXLIII (1940), 199-213; Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 513-514.

Birth. January 5, 1913, 7th arrondisesement of Paris, France. Son of François Louis Marie Joseph Veuillot, a Catholic journalist, and Marie Monnoir. His baptismal name was Pierre Marie Joseph.

Education. Seminary "Des Carmes," Paris.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 26, 1939, Paris. Pastoral ministry in the archdiocese of Paris, 1939-1942. Faculty member of "Maison de Conflans" (Minor Seminary of Paris), 1939-1949. Staff member of the Secretariat of State, 1949-1959. Privy chamberlain of His Holiness, February 22, 1950.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Angers, July 7, 1959. Consecrated, July 1, 1959, cathedral of Angers, by Cardinal Maurice Feltin, archbishop of Paris, assisted by Marc-Armand Lallier, archbishop of Marseille, and by Jean Villot, titular bishop of Vinda, auxiliary of Paris. Promoted to the titular see of Costanza di Tracia and appointed archbishop coadjutor of Paris, sedis datus, July 8, 1961; granted the right of succession, July 16, 1963. Attended the Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Paris, December 21, 1966. Chevalier of the Légion d'Honneur.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of June 26, 1967; received the red biretta and the title of S. Luigi dei Francesi, June 29, 1967. Attended the First Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, September 29 to October 29, 1967, Vatican City.

Death. February 14, 1968, at 10:37 a.m., of leukemia, in his domicile situated at 32 rue Barbet de Jouy, Paris. Buried in the metropolitan cathedral of Notre-Dame, Paris.

Bibliography. Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 515-516.

Birth. January 9, 1847, Agugliano, diocese of Ancona, Italy. Received the sacrament of confirmation, August 1, 1852.

Education. Collegio Capranica, Rome; Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (doctorates in philosophy, theology and utroque iure, both canon and civil law).

Priesthood. Ordained, September 20, 1873, Ancona. Further studies, 1873-1876. Pastoral ministry in diocese of Rome, 1876-1877. Secretary of the nunciature in Spain, 1877-1880. Secretary of the apostolic delegation in Constantinople, 1880-1883. Auditor of the nunciature in France, 1883-1887. Auditor of the nunciature in Spain, 1887-1893. Auditor of the nunciature in Portugal, 1893-1897. Privy chamberlain of His Holiness, May 25, 1886. Named apostolic delegate and extraordinary legate to Colombia, November 24, 1897 (1).

Episcopate. Elected titular archbishop of Filippi, December 22, 1897. Consecrated, January 9, 1898, Collegio Capranica, Rome, by Cardinal Mariano Rampolla del Tindaro, secretary of State, assisted by Cesare Sambucetti, titular archbishop of Corinto, and by Antonio Sardi, bishop of Anagni. Nuncio in Belgium, February 4 (2), 1904. Nuncio in Spain, with faculties of legate a latere, October 21 (3), 1907.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of November 27, 1911; received the red hat and the title of S. Callisto, December 2, 1912. Participated in the conclave of 1914, which elected Pope Benedict XV. Camerlengo of the Sacred College of Cardinals, January 22, 1915 until December 4, 1916. Pro-prefect of the S.C. of Rites, February 11, 1915. Opted for the order of cardinal bishops and the suburbicarian see of Porto e Santa Rufina, December 6, 1915. Prefect of the S.C. of Rites, July 8, 1918. Participated in the conclave of 1922, which elected Pope Pius XI. Papal legate to the Eucharistic Congress, Aquila, Italy, August 16, 1923; to the celebrations in honor of Little Flower, Lisieux, France, September 15, 1925.

Death. February 25, 1929, of influenza, Rome. Buried, Agugliano. His funeral monument is in the church of Santissimo Sacramento, Agugliano.

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti." Annuario pontificio per l'anno 1922, Città del Vaticano : Tipografia poliglotta vaticana, 1921, p. 78; Daniel, Charles; Paul-Marie Baumgarten; Antoine de Waal. Rome; le chef suprême l'organisation et l'administration centrale de l'église. Paris : Plon, 1900, p. 685; De Marchi, Giuseppe. Le nunziature apostoliche dal 1800 al 1956. Pref. di Antonio Samoré. Roma : Edizioni di Storia e letteratura, 1957, pp. 65, 98 and 240; "Liste des cardinaux par order alphabétique." Annuaire Pontifical Catholique de 1922, Paris : Maison de la Bonne Presse, 1922, p. 104; Pięta, Zenonem. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen IX (1903-1922). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 2002, pp. 10, 21 and 22; Restrepo Posada, José. "Galeria de representantes de la Santa Sede en Colombia." Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Historia Eclesiástica, V (January-June, 1970), 219-221; Ritzler, Remigium, and Pirminum Sefrin. Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi. Volumen VIII (1846-1903). Patavii : Typis et Sumptibus Domus Editorialis "Il Messaggero di S. Antonio" apud Basilicam S. Antonii, 1979, p. 453.

Link. Images and arms, Arladica Vaticana.

(1) This is according to De Marchi, Le nunziature apostoliche dal 1800 al 1956, p. 98; and Restrepo, "Galeria de representantes de la Santa Sede en Colombia." Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Historia Eclesiástica, p. 219; Daniel, Rome; le chef suprême l'organisation et l'administration centrale de l'église, p. 685, says that he was named titular archbishop of Filippi and named apostolic delegate on December 24, 1897; "Liste des cardinaux par order alphabétique." Annuaire Pontifical Catholique de 1922, 104, indicates that he was named in November 1898, without mentioning the day; and Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 453, indicates that he was named on March 31, 1898.
(2) This is according to De Marchi, Le nunziature apostoliche dal 1800 al 1956, p. 65; and Restrepo, "Galeria de representantes de la Santa Sede en Colombia." Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Historia Eclesiástica, p. 219; "Liste des cardinaux par order alphabétique." Annuaire Pontifical Catholique de 1922, p. 104; Pięta, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, IX, 10; and Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 453, indicate that he was named on January 28, 1904.
(3) This is according to De Marchi, Le nunziature apostoliche dal 1800 al 1956, p.240; and Restrepo, "Galeria de representantes de la Santa Sede en Colombia." Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Historia Eclesiástica, p. 219; and ięta, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, IX, 10; "Liste des cardinaux par order alphabétique." Annuaire Pontifical Catholique de 1922, p. 104; and Ritzler, Hierarchia Catholica Medii et Recentioris Aevi, VIII, 453, indicates that he was named on October 22, 1907.

Birth. February 6, 1931, Mogpoc, diocese of Lucena, Philippines.

Education. Most Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Lucena; St. Francis de Sales Seminary, Lipa City (bachelor of arts in philosophy); St. Charles Seminary, Makati (theology). Received the diaconate from Alfredo Obviar y Aranda, titular bishop of Linoe, apostolic administrator of Lucena on September 24, 1955.

Priesthood. Ordained, March 17, 1956, cathedral of San Fernando, Lucena, by Alfredo Obviar y Aranda, titular bishop of Linoe, apostolic administrator of Lucena. Successively, 1956-1965, faculty member and spiritual director, Seminary of Lucena; rector, 1965-1971. Chaplain of His Holiness, June 23, 1969.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Claterna and coadjutor, with right of succession, of Malolos, September 10, 1971. Consecrated, November 30, 1971, cathedral of San Fernando, Lucena, by Carmine Rocco, titular archbishop of Iustinianopolis in Galatia, nuncio to the Philippines, assisted by Godfredo Pedernal Pisig, bishop of Borongan, and by Rafael Lim y Montiano, bishop of Laong. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Lipa, August 22, 1973. Coadjutor archbishop, with right of succession, of Cebú, April 13, 1981. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Cebú, August 24, 1982. Attended the Sixth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 28, 1983.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of May 25, 1985; received the red biretta and the title of Ss. Pietro e Paolo a Via Ostiense, May 25, 1985. Attended the Second Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 24 to December 8, 1985; the Seventh Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 1 to 30, 1987; president delegate; member of its general secretariat, 1987-1990. Attended the Eighth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 29, 1990; member of its general secretariat, 1990-1994. Attended the Ninth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 29, 1994. Participated in the conclave of April 18 to 19, 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI. Resigned the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Cebu in conformity with canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law on October 15, 2010. He was apostolic administrator of the see until the installation of his successor, Jose Serofia Palma, until then archbishop of Palo, on January 13, 2011. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned eighty years old on February 6, 2011.

Bibliography. Bransom, Charles. "Philippine episcopology (V. 1970-1980)." Boletín Eclesiástico de Filipinas, LXV, 720-721 (November-December 1989), 830.

Links. Photograph and biography, in English, The Official Website of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines; his arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Birth. October 3, 1868, Cambrils, archdiocese of Tarragona, Spain. From a family of liberal professionals and rural property owners. Son of Francisco Vidal i Gimbernat and Angelina Barraquer i Roviralta.The other children were Josep, a physician; Paula, a nun; and Tomás, who died at seven. The first child, also named Francisco, died shortly after birth. Two of his uncles were priests.

Education. At the recommendation of his uncles the priests, he studied at the Jesuit Colegio San Ignacio, Manresa, 1880-1885 (secondary education); Conciliar Seminary of Barcelona, 1885 (licentiate in law); Law Faculty, Barcelona (practiced law for a year); Seminary of Tarragona, Tarragona, 1895-1899. University of Madrid, Madrid (doctorate in law, September 24, 1900; dissertation: "El derecho de la guerra en Roma"). He wanted to become a Jesuit but his father had asked him to finish a career first. On May 1, 1898, he received the ecclesiastical tonsure and the first order from Archbishop Tomás Costa Fornaguera of Tarragona, who had a special predilection for him. The following year, he received the remaining orders from the same prelate.

Priesthood. Ordained, September 17, 1899, Tarragona, by Tomás Costa Fornaguera of Tarragona. Celebrated his first mass on September 21, 1899, in the chapel of the school of the nuns of the Sacred Heart in Sarriá. Pastoral ministry in the archdiocese of Tarragona and official of its archdiocesan curia: substitute fiscal of the metropolitan ecclesiastical tribunal, November 27, 1900; fiscal, May 5, 1905; provisor and acting vicar general, 1905-1909; canon of its cathedral chapter, September 19, 1907 until 1913; vicar general, 1909-1913; archpriest, 1910; vicar capitular, October 9, 1911, at the death of Archbishop Costa Fornaguera, until his promotion to the episcopate.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Pentacomia and appointed apostolic administrator of Solsona, November 10, 1913. Consecrated, April 26, 1914, cathedral of Tarragona, by Antolín López Peláez, archbishop of Tarragona, assisted by Ramón Barberá y Boada, titular bishop of Antedone, apostolic administrator of Ciudad Rodrigo, and by Ramón Guillamet y Coma, bishop of Córdoba. His episcopal motto was Diligite alterutrum. Senator of the Spanish kingdom for the province of Tarragona, December 20, 1914 to 1916. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Tarragona, May 7, 1919.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of March 7, 1921; received the red biretta from King Alfonso XIII, in the chapel of the Royal Palace, Madrid, together with neo-Cardinals Juan Bautista Benlloch y Vivó, archbishop of Burgos, and Francesco Ragonesi, nuncio in Spain; received the red hat and the title of S. Sabina, June 16, 1921. Participated in the conclave of 1922, which elected Pope Pius XI. During the dictatorship of Captain General Miguel Primo de Rivera, he defended the freedom of the Church and maintained, together with the bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Tarragona, the Catalonian language as the normal one for preaching and catechesis. In 1924, he declined transfer to the see of Zaragoza; and in 1926, he declined switching sees with the bishop of Coria, Pedro Segura y Sáenz; as well as his transfer to Rome as Curia cardinal. Once the Spanish Republic was established in 1931, he was able to avoid the burning of churches and convents in Catalonia. He was elected head of the Spanish episcopate after the exile of Cardinal Segura, archbishop of Toledo, primate of Spain. He tried, with little success, before the provisional government to mitigate the dispositions of the constitutional project that affected the rights of the Church; this in spite of the sincere friendship that existed between him and President Aniceto Alcalá Zamora. The revolution exploded in Tarragona on July 21, 1936. The cardinal was forced to seek refuge in Poblet as a guest of Eduard Toda i G|ell. Some militiamen of the FAI from Hospitalet de Llobregat went to Poblet to look for him. Fearing for his life and not wanting to leave his archdiocese abandoned, he thought it was more appropriate to as his auxiliary bishop, Manuel Borrás, to stay in Tarragona; but soon after, the bishop was assassinated. The cardinal was transferred to Barcelona with his personal secretary, Joan Viladrich; the counselors of culture and the interior of the Generalitat, facilitated that the cardinal and his secretary could embark for Italy in a vessel of the Spanish Navy. The cardinal went to reside in the Carthusian monastery of Faneta, near Lucca; he stayed there until 1943, when he went to the Carthusian monastery of Valsainte, Switzerland. He was one of the only two Spanish bishops who did not support the rising of Generalissimo Francisco Franco against the Republic. Participated in the conclave of 1939, which elected Pope Pius XII. His Catalonianism, good relations with the Republican authorities of Catalonia, and his refusal to sign the joint letter of the Spanish episcopate during the Spanish Civil War, caused the government of Generalissimo Franco to forbid him from returning to his archdiocese of Tarragona.

Death. September 13, 1943, Foyer Saint'Elizabeth, Fribourg, Switzerland. Buried in the church of the Carthusian monastery, Valsainte, Switzerland. In May 1978, following his will, his remains were transferred to the metropolitan cathedral of Tarragona and buried near the tomb of Auxiliary Bishop Manuel Borràs, assassinated during the Spanish Civil War.

Bibliography. Echeverría, Lamberto de. Episcopologio español contemporáneo, 1868-1985 : datos biográficos y genealogía espiritual de los 585 obispos nacidos o consagrados en España entre el 1 de enero de 1868 y el 31 de diciembre de 1985 . Salamanca : Universidad de Salamanca, 1986. (Acta Salmanticensia; Derecho; 45), p. 75; Muntanyola, Ramón. Vidal i Barraquer. El cardenal de la paz. Barcelona : Editorial Estela, 1971; Raguer Suñer, Hilario M. ; Howson, Gerald. Gunpowder and incense : the Catholic Church and the Spanish Civil War. Uniform title: Pólvora y el incienso. English. London ; New York : Routledge, 2007. (Routledge/Caqada Blanch studies on contemporary Spain ; 11; Variation: Routledge/Cañada Blanch studies on contemporary Spain ; 11). Contents: 1. The religious question during the Spanish Republic: a polemical subject -- 2. The initial reasons for the rebellion: the military uprising of July 1936 -- 3. From the pronunciamiento to the Crusade: the consecration of the pronunciamiento -- 4. The initial attitude of the Spanish bishops: involvement of the Spanish Church in the Civil War -- 5. The initial attitude of the Vatican: the Vatican press in the Civil War -- 6. Collective letter: how the document originated -- 7. Persecution and repression: religious persecution -- 8. Stories of persecution and repression: Jesuits in the Red Levante -- 9. Franco's relations with the Vatican are strengthened: the arrival of Antoniutti -- 10. The third Spain: doves and hawks -- 11. The Republic desires reconciliation with the Church: a Basque Catholic in the government of the Republic --12. The exile of Cardinal Vidal i Barraquer: a veto against Vidal i Barraquer -- 13. The Church of victory; Vidal i Barraquer, Francesc; Batllori, Míquel; Arbeloa, Víctor Manuel. Església i estat durant la segona república espanyola : 1931-1936 : arxiu Vidal i Barraquer. Barcelona : Monestir de Montserrat, 1977. (Scripta et documenta ; 27; Scripta et documenta ; 28). Contents: 3: 14 d'abril - 21 de desembre de 1932.

Links. Biography, in English, Gran Enclopèdia Catalana; same biography, in Spanish, Gran Enclopèdia Catalana; photographs and biography, in Spanish, Tinet.cat, Diputació de Tarragona; his statue in Cambrils, his native town; and his photograph and arms, Arladica Vaticana.

Birth. June 13, 1912, Visosa, archdiocese of Maceió, Brazil. His brother, Senator Teotonio Vilela, fought for the return of democracy in Brazil. He died in 1983.

Education. Seminary of Maceió, Maceiô; Seminary of Olinda, Olinda.

Priesthood. Ordained, October 27, 1935. Faculty member and spiritual advisor of the Seminary of Arucajú; secretary of the diocese of Aracajú; diocesan chaplain of the Catholic Action.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Petrolina, June 13, 1946. Consecrated, October 27, 1946, Aracajú, by José Gomes da Silva, bishop of Aracajú, assisted by Adalberto Accioli Sobral, bishop of Pesqueira, and by Mário de Miranda Villas-Boas, archbishop of Belém do Pará. His episcopal motto was De plnitudine Christi. Promoted to metropolitan see of Teresina, November 5, 1955. Attended Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965. President of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), 1966-1972. Attended the First Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 29, 1967; the First Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 11 to 28, 1969; the II Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to November 6, 1971. Transferred to the metropolitan see of São Salvador da Bahia, March 25, 1971.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of March 5, 1973; received the red biretta and the title of Ss. Bonifacio ed Alessio, March 5, 1973. Attended the III Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 27 to October 26, 1974. Participated in the conclave of August 25 to 26, 1978, which elected Pope John Paul I. Participated in the conclave of October 14 to 16,1978, which elected Pope John Paul II. Attended the III General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate, Puebla, México, January 27 to February 13, 1979; the First Plenary Assembly of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Vatican City, November 5 to 9, 1979. Named primate of Brazil when the see of São Salvador da Bahia was given that rank, October 25, 1980.

Death. December 19, 1986, of stomach cancer, São Salvador da Bahia. Buried in the metropolitan cathedral of São Salvador da Bahia.

Links. His portrait, arms and biographical information, in Portuguese, Arquidiocese de Teresina, he is the fourth on the page; Fundação Dom Avelar Brandão Vilela, in Portuguese; and his arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Birth. November 2, 1883, Montréal, Canada. Of a very modest family, he was one of the three children of a shoe repairer.

Education. Primary studies in his native parish of Sacré-Coeur, Montréal; secondary studies, Mont-Saint-Louis, 1896-1900 (diploma in science and commerce); taught for a while in a school in Dorval; joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Noviatiate of Lachine, August 14, 1901; took his first vows on August 15, 1902; and his perpetual vows, September 8, 1903; Oblate Scholasticate, Ottawa (philosophy and theology); University of Ottawa, Ottawa (doctorate in philosophy, 1919; doctorate in theology, 1922; and doctorate in canon law, 1930).

Priesthood. Ordained, May 25, 1907, metropolitan cathedral of Ottawa, by Joseph-Thomas Duhamel, archbishop of Ottawa. Professor of philosophy in the Scholasticate of Ottawa, 1907-1913; of moral theology, 1913-1920; at the same time, he pursued his doctoral studies at the University of Ottawa. Superior of the Oblate Scholasticate, Ottawa, February 16, 1920-1930; he continued teaching moral theology, canon law, liturgy, spirituality, ecclesiastical history; dean of the Theological Faculty. Founder of the School of Superior Ecclesiastical Studies, 1928; he was the titular of the chair of ecclesiastical law. From 1929, dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the University of Ottawa; and founder of the Superior School of Canon Law. He actively participated in the Social Weeks of Canada; in the Association Catholique de la Jeneusse Canadienne; in the labor unions, having been member of the Superior Council of National Labor Unions in Montréal; and in the promotion of closed retreats. He was one of the inspirers of the foundation of Revue de l'Université d'Ottawa; and defended the rights of the minorities and supported the bilingual schools, contributing to the journal Le Droit.

Episcopate. Elected first bishop of Gravelbourg, July 3, 1930. Consecrated, September 11, 1930, metropolitan cathedral of Ottawa, by Joseph-Guillaume-Laurent Forbes, archbishop of Ottawa, assisted by Louis Rhéaume, O.M.I., bishop of Haileybury, and by Joseph Wilfred Guy, O.M.I., titular bishop of Zerta, apostolic vicar of Grouard. His episcopal motto was Docere quis sit Christus. Promoted to the metropolitan see of Québec, December 11, 1931. President of the Missionary Union of the Clergy, February 26, 1932.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of March 13, 1933; received the red hat and the title of S. Maria degli Angeli, March 16, 1933. Papal legate to the National Eucharistic Congress, Québec, May 31, 1938. Participated in the conclave of 1939, which elected Pope Pius XII. Papal legate to the dedication of Sainte-Joan d'Arc's basilica, Domrémy, France, June 15, 1939. He visited in the Fall 1944 the Canadian military stationed in Great Britain, Italy, Belgium, and Holland. Papal legate to the Marian Congress, Guadalupe, México, September 24, 1945.

Death. January 17, 1947, at 7:50 a.m., Alhambra, California, United States of America (1). His funeral was celebrated on January 24, 1947, in the metropolitan cathedral basilica of Québec, by Cardinal James Charles McGuigan, archbishop of Toronto; according to his will, there was no funeral eulogy but only Gregorian music. He was buried in the metropolitan cathedral basilica of Québec, with his golden cross of his religious order and in a plain oaken casket in accordance with his request for a coffin of common quality.

Bibliography. "Cardinali defunti." Annuario pontificio per l'anno 1958. Città del Vaticano : Tipografia poliglotta vaticana, 1958, p. 82; LeBlanc, Jean. Dictionnaire biographique des évêques catholiques du Canada. Les diocèses catholiques canadiens des Églises latine et orientales et leurs évêques; repères chronologiques et biographiques, 1658-2002. Ottawa : Wilson & Lafleur, 2002. (Gratianus. Série instruments de recherche), pp. 859-866; "Liste des cardinaux par order alphabétique." Annuaire Pontifical Catholique de 1939. Paris : Maison de la Bonne Presse, 1939, p. 72.

Link. His photograph and arms, Araldica Vaticana.

(1) He he had been stricken by a heart attack on July 7, 1946, on his return from Île-à-la-Crosse, where he had taken part in the celebrations for the centennial of the Oblate missions; he was hospitalized in Hôtel-de-Dieu and later, he had a long convalescence. He left Québec for New York, specifically for Misericordia Hospital in Manhattan, on October 4, 1946 for medical treatment and had another crisis on October 14. Seeking a milder climate, he arrived at a convent in Alhambra, California, on January 14, 1947. Three days later, the cardinal stopped his private secretary during the beginning of the latter's mass, sensing his death was imminent. He died within the hour.

Birth. October 11, 1905, Saint-Amánt-Tallende, diocese of Clermont-Ferrand, France. Only child of Joseph Villot and Marie Laville. His baptismal name was Jean-Marie.

Education. Collège Sainte Marie, Riom (1914-1921); Gran Seminary of Clermont (1922-1923); Catholic Faculty of Lyon, Lyon, 1923-1925); military service until August 2, 1924; Novitiate of the Order of the Servants of Mary (Marists), September 7, 1925; left three months later, at the beginning of December 1925; Seminary des Carmes of the Institut Catholique, Paris (October 1926-1930; theology); Pontifical International Angelicum Athenaeum, Rome (licentiate in canon law; doctorate in theology; thesis: Le pape Nicolas II et le décret de 1059 sur l'éction pontificale); Studio of the Vatican Library, Vatican.

Priesthood. Ordained, April 19, 1930, Paris, by Alfred-Henri-Marie Baudrillart, Orat., titular archbishop of Melitene, vicar general of Paris and rector of the Institut Catholique. Incardinated in the archdiocese of Paris as titulum patrimonii; Further studies, 1930-1934, Rome. Secretary to Pierre-Marie Gerlier, bishop of Tarbes et Lourdes, 1931-1934, in Rome and Lourdes; and in Lyon, 1939. Faculty member of the Seminary of Clermont and of the Catholic University of Lyon, 1934-1942. Declined the appointment of canonist to the French embassy at the Vatican, January 31, 1940. Pastoral ministry in the archdiocese of Lyon, 1942-1950. Vice-rector of the Catholic University of Lyon, 1942-1950. Director of the secretariat of the French Episcopal Conference, 1950. Protonotary apostolic, February 22, 1950.

Episcopate. Elected titular bishop of Vinda and appointed auxiliary of Paris, September 2, 1954. Consecrated, October 12, 1954, Notre Dame metropolitan cathedral, Paris, by Cardinal Maurice Feltin, archbishop of Paris, assisted by Emile-Maurice Guerry, archbishop of Cambrai, and by Pierre de la Chanonie, bishop of Clermont; in attendance were the nuncio in France, the other five French cardinals and seventy bishops. His episcopal motto was Auxilio a Domino. Promoted to titular archbishop of Bosporo and appointed coadjutor of Lyon, with right of succession, December 17, 1959. Undersecretary of the Second Vatican Council, 1962-1964. Succeeded to the metropolitan see of Lyon, January 17, 1965.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 22, 1965; received the red biretta and the title of Ss.ma Trinità al Monte Pincio, February 25, 1965. Prefect of the S.C. of the Council, April 7, 1967. Attended the First Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 29, 1967. Secretary of State, prefect of the Council for Public Affairs of the Church, president of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, May 2, 1969. Attended the First Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 11 to 28, 1969. Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, October 16, 1970. President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, July 15, 1971 until September 4, 1978. Attended the II Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to November 6, 1971. Attended the III Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 27 to October 26, 1974. Bishop of the title of the suburbicarian see of Frascati, December 12, 1974. Attended the IV Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 29, 1977. Participated in the conclave of August 25 to 26,1978, which elected Pope John Paul I. Participated in the conclave of October 14 to 16,1978, which elected Pope John Paul II.

Death. March 9, 1979, at 9:25 p.m., from a bronchial pneumonia, in his apartment at the Vatican. The funeral, presided by Pope John Paul II, took place in the patriarchal Vatican basilica, March 13, 1979, at 10:30 a.m. Buried in the crypt of the church of SS. Trinità al Monte Pincio, Rome (1).

Bibliography. Chapeau, O.S.B. André and Fernand Combaluzier, C.M. Épiscopologe français des temps modernes, 1592-1973. Paris : Letouzey et Ané, 1974, p. 521-522; Wenger, Antoine. Le cardinal Jean Villot (1905-1979), secretaire d'Etat de trois papes. Paris: Desclee De Brouwer, 1989.

Link. His portrait and arms, Araldica Vaticana.

(1) This is the French translation of the inscription in Latin, written by Msgr. Jean-François Arrighi, placed on the stone on his tomb in the crypt, taken from Wenger, Le cardinal Jean Villot (1905-1979), p. 275: Sous ce maître autel, dans l'attente de la résurrection, repose l'éminentissime et révérendissime signeur Jean Villot, cardinal évêque du titre de l'église de Frascati, auparavant cardinal prêtre de cette église, archêveque de Lyon, secrétaire d'Etat et camerlingue de trois suverains pontifes, Paul VI, Jean-Paul Ier, Jean Paul II, Français, neé à Saint-Amant Tallende en Auvergne le 11 octobre 1905, piesement décédé à Rome le 9 mars 1979.

Aprè les funérailles célébrées solennellement dans la basilique vaticane par Sa Santité le papae Jean-Paul II, concébrant avec le Sacré Collège, il a été enterré ici le 13 mars 1979. Qu'il repose en paix.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of February 21, 2001; received the red biretta and the title of S. Bernardo alle Terme, February 21, 2001. Attended X Ordinary Assembly of Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 27, 2001. Participated in the conclave of April 18 to 19, 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI. Attended the XI General Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 2 to 23, 2005. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned 80 years old on May 29, 2007. Elected president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), at Jamshedpur, February 19, 2008. Attended the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 26, 2008, on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church".

Links. Photograph and biography, in English, archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly; and his arms, Araldica Vaticana.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of November 26, 1994; received the red biretta and the title of S. Croce in Gerusalemme, November 26, 1994. Special papal envoy to the celebrations in honor of St. Zdislava di Lemberk, Jablonné, Czech Republic, May 28, 1995. Attended the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 16 to December 12, 1997; by papal appointment. Attended the Second Special Assembly for Europe of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 1 to 23, 1999; the Tenth Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 30 to October 27, 2001. He met the president of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, on May 17, 2007, and on the occasion of his 75th birthday the Plaque of Honour was conferred on him. Participated in the conclave of April 18 to 19, 2005, which elected Pope Benedict XVI. Attended the Twelfth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, October 5 to 26, 2008, on "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church". On Sunday March 1, 2009, he received the "Medal of Reconciliation," the highest award by the Ackermann Gemeinde in Prague. On February 13, 2010, his resignation from the pastoral government of the archdiocese of Prague was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI in conformity to canon 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law. The cardinal was apostolic administrator of Prague until the installation of his successor, Dominik Jaroslav Duka, O.P., until then bishop of Hradec Králové, on April 10, 2010.

Bibliography. Boudre, Alain. Laveur de vitres et archevêque : biographie de Mgr Miloslav Vlk (Prague). Preface by Václav Havel. Paris : Nouvelle Cité, 1994. (Récit); Regina, Sara. Miloslav Vlk : da lavavetri a cardinale. Torino : Edizione San Paolo, 1998.

Links. His photograph, arms and biography, in English; his photograph, arms and biography, in Czech; his arms, Araldica Vaticana; and the list of the archbishops of Prague.

Birth. December 27, 1903, Steinheim, diocese of Mainz, Germany. Son of Franz Volk, an upholsterer, and Catharina Josepha Kaiser.

Education. Elementary studies in Steinheim; secondary, in Hanau; Seminary of Mainz, Mainz (philosophy and theology for four years); University of Münster, Münster; University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland, 1935-1938 (doctorate in philosophy; thesis: "Die Kreaturauffassung von Karl Barth"; doctorate in philosophy; thesis: "Emil Brun-ners Lehre von der ursprünglichen Gottesebenbildlichkeit des Menschen").

Priesthood. Ordained, April 2, 1927, Mainz, by Ludwig Maria Hugo, bishop of Mainz. Pastoral ministry in the diocese of Mainz: chaplain in Alzey, 1927-1931; chaplain in St. Ignaz, Mainz, 1932-1935. Further studies in Switzerland, 1935-1938. Assistant in the vicariate of St. Paul in Offenbach und St. Rufus in Gau-Odernheim, 1940-1941. Vicar in Nidda, 1941-1942; pastor, 1942-1945. Obtained the habilitation in dogmatic theology in University of Münster in 1943 (Habilitationsschrift: "Emil Brunners Lehre von dem S|nder"). Assistant professor of theology at the University of Münster, 1945-1946; professor, 1946-1962; rector of the university, 1954-1955. Domestic prelate of His Holiness, February 25, 1962. Elected bishop of Mainz by the cathedral chapter, March 3, 1962.

Episcopate. Elected bishop of Mainz, March 25, 1962. Consecrated, June 5, 1962, cathedral of Mainz, by Hermann Schaufele, archbishop of Freiburg im Breisgau, assisted by Karl Leiprecht, bishop of Rottenburg, and by Joseph Reuss, titular bishop of Sinope, auxiliary of Mainz. Attended the Second Vatican Council, 1962-1965. Attended the First Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, September 29 to October 29, 1967.

Cardinalate. Created cardinal priest in the consistory of March 5, 1973; received the red biretta and the title of Ss. Fabiano e Venanzio a Villa Fiorelli, March 5, 1973. Participated in the conclave of August 25 to 26,1978, which elected Pope John Paul I. Participated in conclave of October 14 to 16,1978, which elected Pope John Paul II. Attended the First Plenary Assembly of the Sacred College of Cardinals, Vatican City, November 5 to 9, 1979. Resigned the government of the diocese, December 27, 1982. Lost the right to participate in the conclave when turned 80 years of age, December 27, 1983. Attended the Second Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, Vatican City, November 24 to December 8, 1985; as special guest.

Death. July 1, 1988, after a long illness, in Mainz. Buried in the crypt of St. Martin's cathedral, Mainz (1).

Bibliography. Baron, Ruth. Hermann Kardinal Volk : 20 Jahre Bischof von Mainz. 4e Aufl. Mainz : Krach, 1983; Cicholaz, Roger Krzysztof. Glauben und Leben : die Theologie des geistlichen Lebens bei Hermann Kardinal Volk. Berlin Münster Lit, 2007; Dissertation: Thesis (doctoral) -- Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule St. Georgen, Frankfurt am Main, 2006. (Theologie der Spiritualität / Beiträge; Bd. 11; Variation: Theologie der Spiritualität ; Bd. 11); Hilger, Peter. Kreatürlichkeit : Hermann Kardinal Volk als Theologe. Sonderdr. Mainz : Öffentlichkeitsarbeit des Bistums, 1990; Jungnitz, Ingobert. Hermann Kardinal Volk zum Gedenken. Mainz : Abteilung Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Bischöfliches Ordinariat Mainz, 1988. (Aktuelle Information ; 50; Variation: Aktuelle Information (Mainz) ; 50); Jürgensmeier, Friedhelm. "Volk, Hermann (1903-1988)." Die Bischöfe der deutschsprachigen Länder, 1945 2001 : ein biographisches Lexikon. Unter Mitwirkung von Franz Xaver Bischof ... [et al.] ; herausgegeben von Erwin Gatz. Berlin : Duncker & Humblot, 2002, pp. 359-361; Lehmann, Karl ; Reifenberg, Peter. Zeuge des Wortes Gottes - Hermann Kardinal Volk. Mainz : Matthias Grünewald Verlag, 2004. Conference proceedings. Memorial volume.

Link. His photograph and biography, in English, Wikipedia.

(1) This is the text of the memorial tablet on the eastern wall, in the western bishops' crypt of the cathedral, provided by an electronic message from Mr. Mark West, London: HERMANN KARDINAL VOLK
DR PHIL DR THEOL
gebornen an 27 Dezember 1903 in
Steinheim am Main
gestorben am 1 Julii 1988 in Mainz
zum Priester gewelh am 2 April 1927
Bischof um Mainz vom 5 Junii 1962 bis
27 Dezember 1982
zum Kardinal ernamt am 5 Marz 1973

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