Rio cardinal is armed-robbery victim

September 17, 2014

Cardinal Orani Joao Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro was robbed by gunmen in broad daylight on September 16.

A spokesman for the Rio archdiocese reported that the cardinal was traveling to a local radio station, accompanied by a seminarian and a photographer as well as his driver, when three armed men stopped the car. "They recognized the cardinal, apologized, but went ahead with the robbery anyway," the spokesman said.

The robbers took the cardinal’s episcopal ring, pectoral cross, and cell phone, and the photographer’s cameras. Police later said that the cardinal’s ring and cross had been recovered, but the cameras were not.

Cardinal Tempesta, who was unhurt, continued on to the radio station for a scheduled broadcast, while his companions reported the crime.

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop of Rio robbed a gunpoint (AP)