BASIC BIOGRAPHICAL DATA:
His Eminenece Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera
Date and place of birth:
June 6, 1942 in La Purisima, Tepehuanes, Durango
Sacerdotal Ordination:
July 3, 1966 at the hands of His Holiness Pablo VI
Episcopal consecration:
December 21, 1985. He was appointed Bishop of Tehuacán
by H. H. Juan Pablo II
Appointment as cardinal:
Created and published Cardinal of the Holy Church by H. H. Juan
Pablo II on January 18, 1998 who imposed him the cardinal canopy
in the consistory of February 21 the same year.
Positions in the Archdiocese of Mexico:
Promoted by H. H. Juan Pablo II, he is currently Primate Archbishop of
the Archdiocese of Mexico, he first took possesion of the post
on July 26 of 1995. Was ecclesiology professor at the Universidad
Pontificia de Mexico.
Positions in the Mexican Episcopate:
Executive Secretary of the Department of Pastoral for the Family
in the Episcopal Commission for the Apostolate of the Laity.
He was President of the Episcopal Commission for Family Pastoral
Care from 1992 to 1995
Positions in the Latin American Episcopal Council:
He was appointed President of the Episcopal Commission of Culture
for the triennium 2004-2006.
Positions in the Roman Curia:
He is Member of the Pontifical Council for the Family since November
1993. Also member of the Congregation for the Divine Worship.
Other activities and information:
Studied Philosophy at the diocesan seminary of Durango and Theology
at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome as a student at
the Colegio Pío Latino Americano, getting the Degree in
Theology. He was vicar in the parish of Rio Grande, Zacatecas,
Professor of Dogmatic Theology at the Seminary of Durango, Diocesan
Assistant of the Movimiento Jornadas de Vida Cristiana, prefect
of discipline at the Seminary of Durango, Diocesan Assistant
of the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano, Head of Social Communications
for the Archdiocese of Durango.
Participated in the Synod of America that was held in the Vatican
from November 16 to December 12, 1997.
Profile:
Episcopal motto:
Lumen Gentium: The Church, Light of nations.
It is remarkable his deep love for the Church
• A man formed in a very humble family, but of deep faith and piety; intelligent,
pragmatic and lucid. In order to sustain his family, his father worked as an
immigrant in the United States. Since the time he was a child he showed great
commitment to work, has always been a struggler, a man of very concrete
achievements. At present, he maintains a close relationship with his brothers.
His parents have lived with him (his father until his death, whom he acknowledged
having received much of his education from).
• His personal vision always includes a supernatural dimension, yet is
clearly anchored in concrete situations, therefore he has been concerned with
developing specific projects with clear goals.
• His mood is the one of a typical 'northern' Mexican, which implies frankly,
and a direct way of speaking, that had impressed many people.
• He constantly shows his interest on staying close to people. This attitude
is confirmed by his likeness to greeting in his Sunday Mass and in his pastoral
visits, as well as in his constant readiness to bless objects that people raises
to him and in being photographed with those who approach him to say hello.
• Demonstrates his concern for maintaining cordial relations with all
sectors of society, acknowledges himself as everyone´s pastor, with various
political parties, entrepreneurs, and leaders of other churches. In fact he
has been the Chairman of the Interreligious Council during years, which speaks
of his ecumenical sense and his disposition to dialogue.
• Looks for the proximity to the most vulnerable: for example, during
the Christmas and Easter celebrations done in prisons. Through his management
during his episcopate in this city and with the help of entrepreneurs has achieved
the release of over five thousand prisoners.
• He made truth one of the most sensitive dreams of mexican people, the
canonization of the indigenous Juan Diego, manifesting so his concern for the
indigenous people in the archdiocese, creating a pastoral area for them which
is coordinated by one of his auxiliary bishops.
• Also, he is always pending on the mexican social issues focusing his
attention on the immigrants, whom consistently defends in a strong prophetic
way. Sample of this concern was the foundation in his diocese of the first
Hispanic Seminary to look after the immigrants living in the U.S.
• He likes to spend time with the younger generations, particularly with
young people: example of that is his attendance at the annual meeting with
100 thousand young people in the Azteca stadium.
• He has a high organizational capacity to govern: has efficiently structured
the world's largest diocese establishing a collegiate governance with his nine
auxiliary bishops, episcopal council that operates as a central government.
• Despite the size of the diocese,he procures to give personalized attention
to his priests. His concern for priests with problems has led to the creation
of Casa Damasco, which is a specialized care center attending various issues
and has sought to ensure social security to the clergy.
• Has a clear and solid doctrine. Is particularly a defender of
life, openly and publicly confronting those who violate it. His good relations
with politicians and businessmen have not stopped him from speaking out against
systems that maintain poverty. Hence it is known as "conservative" in
matters of life and 'liberal' on social issues.
• Convinced that it is important to maintain a presence in the media as
a current mode of evangelization. Has a clear concern and care towards it.
Over 40 reporters from various media cover weekly his Mass at the Cathedral
and summarize his comments on social and political life of the country.
• He has played an important role in righting ecclesiastical institutions
that needed revision. (Ceresure).
• As Great Chancellor of the Pontifical University, has sought the consolidation
of this institution in its own nature.
• Maintains a constant concern for vocations and priestly formation, so
he looks constantly to be in touch with the seminaries.
• Concerned about the mission, reinforced a diocesan project in
the plurality of cultures that make up the city.
• Is concerned with contemporary culture (started his magistrate activity
taking position at the New Age).
• In his diocese he served as parish priest and as a both material (built
two temples) and spiritual builder of his community.
• In recent times, his role as a mediator in conflicts has been highlighted, acknowledging
him for his great moral and conciliatory qualities.
• He has been committed with creating one of the most important Archdiocesan
Offices of Communication in the country, where life and magistrate of the Church
are spread in such publications as L'Osservatore Romano (Spanish edition for
Mexico and U.S.) and the Catholic weekly edition"Desde la Fe" newspaper
that has the widest distribution in Latin America (over 450 thousand copies).
In this Office operates an advertising agency, an Institute for Media Education
(responding to the interest in forming trainers to guide the responsible use
of media as a necessity of the families) a radio address and television, and
other systems as well as the department of Pastoral for the Communication.
• Has given a new government and vitality to the largest sanctuary of
the country and second largest in influx of pilgrims in the world: The Basilica
of Our Lady of Guadalupe that will soon expand its area in a large project
of evangelization, its area will increase over 20 thousand square meters.
• Recovered the Episcopal cathedral as his see, punctually celebrating
the Eucharist every Sunday at noon, rescuing the beauty and dignity of the
liturgy in the archdiocese.
• In conjunction with the federal government and private initiative has
achieved the restoration of this church which is the most important artistic
monument of America (the Cathedral was threatening to collapse, at this stage
the final touchings up are made).
• Is a sportsman in good health and with an impressive capacity
for work. He likes to read and has a pretty clear vision of the problems of
the Church and Mexico
up |
