RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, FEB. 27, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A Cistercian monk will be the new archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, succeeding Cardinal Eusébio Oscar Scheid.
Fifty-eight-year-old Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of Belem do Para will be moved to the populous Rio archdiocese, the Vatican announced today. Cardinal Scheid has retired upon reaching the age limit.
Orani João Tempesta was born in 1950 and joined the Cistercians in 1967. He took his vows in 1969 and was ordained a priest in 1974. After serving as prior and abbot within his congregation, he was named the bishop of São Jose do Rio Preto in 1997. He was moved to Belem do Para in 2004.
The Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro has nearly 6 million inhabitants, some 60% of whom are Catholic. They are served by six auxiliary bishops, just 600 priests, about 50 permanent deacons, almost 400 men religious and 1,200 women religious.
ZE09022705 - 2009-02-27
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-25221?l=english
Cistercian Named to Lead Rio de Janeiro
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