Cláudio Hummes
Cláudio Cardinal Hummes, O.F.M. (pronounced HOO-mez) (born August 8, 1934 in Montenegro, Brazil to German-Brazilian parents) has been the Roman Catholic Archbishop of São Paulo since 1998, having previously been Archbishop of Fortaleza since 1996. He became a Cardinal in the consistory of 2001. He has been the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy since 31 October 2006
One of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI, Hummes was often mentioned as a possible successor to Pope John Paul II.
| Styles of Cláudio Cardinal Hummes | |
|---|---|
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | São Paulo (Emeritus) |
Auri Alfonso Hummes (he took the name Cláudio when he made profession as a Franciscan) was ordained as a Franciscan on August 3, 1958 and holds a doctorate in philosophy from the Antonianum, Rome, and a specialization in ecumenism from the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Geneva, Switzerland. He taught philosophy at the Franciscan seminary in Garibaldi, at the major seminary of Viamão and at the Pontifical Catholic University of Porto Alegre. He was adviser for ecumenical affairs to the National Bishops' Conference of Brazil, Provincial of Rio Grande do Sul (1972-75) and president of the Union of Latin American Conferences of Franciscans.
On 22 March 1975 he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Santo André and received episcopal ordination on 25 May. He became Diocesan Bishop of the see on 29 December. Bishop Hummes allowed the labour unions to meet in parishes throughout his diocese, going against the dictatorship in Brazil at the time. It was here that he forged his friendship with the union boss at the time, the man known simply as Lula. At around this time he became a supporter of the Liberation theology; this would later put him at odds with the Vatican. On May 29, 1996 he was promoted to Archbishop of Fortaleza and was transferred to São Paulo on 15 April 1998.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of 21 February 2001. Titular church St. Anthony of Padua in Via Merulana.
Cardinal Hummes has Curial membership of Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pontifical Council for the Laity, Pontifical Council for the Family, Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Pontifical Council for Culture, Pontifical Commission for Latin America, X Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational, and Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
Judged to be a moderate, he has made strong statements in favor of social justice. He has been quoted as saying, "nationality isn't the issue - the important thing is who can help the church and the world, now and in the future." He's also active on the issue of indigenous peoples and made an official statement condemning the anonymous attacks on homeless indigenous people. "Such violence and cruelty is unacceptable and should be vigorously repudiated. The Church has cried out many times regarding the need to come to the aid of those who are forced to live in our streets, without shelter. She does so out of a duty of humanity and because of her faith in Jesus Christ, who wishes to be identified in each person, especially in the poor and handicapped," the Cardinal said.
On the 31 October 2006 Pope Benedict appointed Cardinal Hummes to be the Prefect for the Congregation for the Clergy sucedding Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos due to his age.