November 24, 2012
(Romereports.com) The Consistory at St. Peter's Basilica to create six new cardinals lasted less than an hour. But the ceremony was full of emotions and several exotic touches.
The event was smaller than previous consistories under Benedict XVI, with the creation of six new cardinals.
In the past, the smallest group he had created was 15. However, this
Consistory was perhaps one of the most diverse, spanning three separate
rites.
From the Latin rite, the Pope created cardinals Colombian
Ruben Salazar Gomez, American James Michael Harvey, Nigerian John
Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, and Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle. From the
Syro-Malankara rite, he created Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, from India
as cardinal. And the Maronite rite is represented by its Patriarch
Bechara Boutros Rai, from Lebanon.
BENEDICT XVI
“In
this Consistory, I want to highlight in particular the fact that the
Church is the Church of all peoples, and so she speaks in the various
cultures of the different continents. She is the Church of Pentecost:
amid the polyphony of the various voices, she raises a single harmonious
song to the living God”.
Diversity also broke through
tradition when it comes to the cardinals attire. The Pope used three
separate birettas, according to each prelate's rite. Benedict XVI
explained that diversity reinforces unity within the Church.
BENEDICT XVI
“The
new Cardinals, who represent different dioceses around the world, are
henceforth associated by a special title with the Church of Rome, and in
this way they reinforce the spiritual bonds that unite the whole
Church, brought to life by Christ and gathered around the Successor of
Peter”.
An emotional moment developed when Luis Antonio Tagle from Manila became tearful, after Benedict XVI made him cardinal.
The
Pope himself was cheerful and smiled throughout a ceremony often
interrupted by applause, and even traditional Nigerian cheers.
RGC/RCA
AA
JM
-BN
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