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SAO PAULO — Cardinal Claudio Hummes, the Brazilian Catholic cardinal who impressed Pope Francis to choose his title after the 2013 conclave, died on Monday on the age of 87. He was one of many nation’s most important non secular leaders and a powerful advocate for the poor.
Sao Paulo archbishop, Cardinal Odilo Scherer, mentioned in an announcement that Hummes died “after a protracted sickness, which he endured with persistence and religion in God.” Hummes had been archbishop of Sao Paulo and, earlier than that, of the town of Fortaleza.
Hummes additionally labored for Pope Benedict XVI between 2006 and 2011 as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, the Vatican workplace which oversees the training, coaching and different issues for Catholic clergymen. He left the job due to age limits.
Pope John Paul II made him Sao Paulo’s archbishop in 1998 and three years later the Brazilian grew to become a cardinal.
Hummes was sitting close to Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio through the newest conclave, and, based on the pope himself, the Brazilian inspired him because the vote neared the tip.
“A fantastic buddy, an ideal buddy,” Francis mentioned about Hummes in his first press convention after being elected. “When issues began getting a bit harmful, he cheered me on. And when the vote got here to 2 thirds, the same old applause started, because the pope had been elected. He hugged me, kissed me and mentioned: ‘Don’t forget in regards to the poor.’ These phrases had been carved on my thoughts.”
Francis determined to call himself after St. Francis of Assisi, who was notably dedicated to caring for the poor.
Leftist former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who leads polls to return to the workplace after October’s elections, was a buddy of the person Brazilians name “Dom Claudio.” Hummes was thought-about a average within the Catholic church, although.
“His unconditional love for others at all times put him on the aspect of the poor, even in probably the most hostile conditions,” da Silva mentioned on Twitter.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro, whose far-right administration was usually criticized by Hummes, has not made any feedback in regards to the cardinal’s loss of life.
Hummes was additionally dedicated to causes of the Amazon and of Indigenous peoples, who’ve had troubled relationships with non secular leaders of different communities. The cardinal was one of many most important inspirations for the Synod of the Pan-Amazonian Area in October 2019, which centered on environmental debates.
“Indigenous peoples have proven in some ways they need our church to defend and shield their rights, construct their future,” Hummes mentioned through the synod, including the Indigenous of the Amazon deserve have “the main roles” of their future, removed from “the motion of anybody’s colonialism.”
Lately, Francis named the first-ever Amazonian cardinal, given the significance the area has had on his preach and the eye he has needed to attract to it.
Francis named Hummes in 2020 to guide the Ecclesial Convention of the Amazon area, which is fostered by the debates of the synod. The Brazilian cardinal mentioned in a letter in July 2021 that he feared the choices of the controversy is perhaps hole.
“It’s good to proceed debating what we must always do, however even with that being an excellent factor it’s not sufficient,” Hummes wrote.
Hummes was born within the tiny city of Montenegro, within the state of Rio Grande do Sul, bordering Uruguay and Argentina. The cardinal’s funeral was held Monday night at Sao Paulo’s central church and burial was scheduled for Tuesday morning.
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