Interviews with 3 newly-named cardinals

October 25, 2012

Vatican Radio has interviewed three of the prelates who will be created cardinals during a November 24 consistory.

“I see it purely as God’s grace, certainly not as any reward for any good action,” said Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja. “I’m not the best archbishop in the world and God has chosen me. Also thanks to the Pope who has chosen to include me in this very special group of servants of the Church.”

“Coming from a country like Nigeria we have been doing our best to promote dialogue and an apostolate of peace making and peace building with Muslims,” he added. “This is because I personally believe, not only do I believe but it is my experience that the vast majority of Nigerians want to live in peace.”

“I received the news with great emotion, and at the same time I wanted to conform to the intentions of the Holy Father: that is, for a greater love for Christ and for the Church and for a more effective apostolate in Lebanon and the Middle East,” said Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai. “Because freedom of conscience is not recognized, there are many secret conversions to Christianity in Lebanon and in Arab countries … we continue to insist, on every occasion, on the need for freedom of conscience and the separation of religion and state.”

“The Church of Asia is often a minority Church, like John the Baptist crying in the wilderness…..even in the Philippines, if the Church is a majority, I realize that the sufferings of people and the difficult questions they ask are an invitation to be first in solidarity with them, not to pretend we have all the solutions,” said Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila. “You might be saying the right things but people will not listen if the manner by which you communicate reminds them of a triumphalistic, know-it-all institution.”

 

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Further information:

• Card-designate Onaiyekan: Simplicity of heart, humility of spirit (Vatican Radio)
• Maronite Cardinal-elect Rai on Syria, Lebanon, freedom of conscience (Vatican Radio)
• Cardinal-designate Tagle calls for quieter, listening Church (Vatican Radio)
• Pope Benedict names 6 new cardinals in surprise announcement (CWN, 10/24)