Francis Arinze

[jrndveritatis]

This is a really good article on Cardinal Arinze I found on [url="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1377656/posts?page=12"]FreeRepublic.com[/url]. It gives a very informative bio and also a good look at his character.

[quote]I'm a graduate theology student and I was very fortunate enough to have him to myself for two hours seven weeks ago - showing him around town.
Not at liberty to give out everything he said, but on the whole I came away very impressed by him. He has a great self-deprecating sense of humor and a feisty streak. Theologically he's essentially in the John Paul II mold, right down the line - though he openly admitted that he's not the intellectual that the Holy Father was.

He also seems likely to be a more hands-on administrator if he is elected.

Humorous anecdote. He was trying to pull the car seat forward but kept pulling the recline lever instead. Finally he figured it out. "Ah!" he exclaimed with glee. "Now I have discovered America!!!" You had to be there. I broke down laughing.

For those curious, here's an article I had published (written before my afternoon with him) on the Cardinal last month in our town and university newspaper, the Angelus:


---------
God’s Invisible Hand: A Life of Cardinal Francis Arinze

By xxxxxxxx

ANGELUS March 2005

When one reviews the career of Cardinal Francis Arinze one is struck by not merely an extraordinary life but extraordinary paradoxes. He has dodged bombs and secret police and yet built one of the most vibrant churches in Catholicism. His most personal testimonies include presiding at the funeral of seven Trappist monks in Algeria decapitated by Muslim fundamentalists and yet for nearly two decades he won praise for his work conducting the Church’s dialogue with Islam and other non-Christian religions. He grew up in a land where enculturation constantly challenged Catholic worship and yet now has the Vatican’s top job in regulating and enforcing liturgical norms.

But then “extraordinary” is a label that seems unavoidable in discussions of Cardinal Arinze.

"He's very intelligent but in a gentle, smiling kind of way,“ says Ave Maria University provost Fr. Joseph Fessio. “He loves the Church, and he knows the tradition. He's just very perceptive."

Easily one of the Church’s best known and charismatic leaders, Arinze is generally considered to be very much in the mold of – and a potential successor to - Pope John Paul II: a biography of triumph over adversity in a land where the Church and its members are frequently attacked and what journalist Gerard O’Connell has called a “meteoric rise” through the ranks. Yet Arinze is also much in his theological mold, combining a passion for social justice with an insistence on doctrinal and liturgical norms.

As with the Pope himself, this combination has made the cardinal no stranger to controversy. Last year Arinze made national headlines when his commencement address at Georgetown University was disrupted by several angry faculty members after he denounced an “anti-life mentality,” consisting especially of abortion, contraception, divorce, euthanasia, pornography and same-sex marriage, which in the West had placed the family “under siege.” Seventy of the faculty later signed a letter of protest – a jarring development showing how much has changed at one of America’s oldest Jesuit universities in recent years and in the Church at large. According to Fr. Fessio the speech was planned to make such a statement – and elicit a reaction.

"This wasn't some faux pas on his part. He went there knowing what would happen,” he said.

"That incident made clear what has been obvious for many years. There is a culture in the academy which has been hostile to the family for many years...what is basic Catholic doctrine shouldn't be a shock to them."

Throughout it all, however, Arinze remains an unflappable figure – thanks no doubt in no small part to the ups and downs of a long and extraordinary life.

Early Life and Career

Arinze, the third of seven children, was born on November 1, 1932 – All Saints Day - in Eziowelle, Nigeria. While his parents worshipped traditional Ibo deities, they sent Francis to an Irish missionary school Thanks to the inspiration of his mentor, Blessed Fr. Michael Cyprian Iwene Tansi (West Africa’s first beatification), he had decided by age nine to be baptized and before long decided on a vocation in the priesthood. He entered the All Hallows Seminary (Ognissanti) of Nuewi at age fifteen, and taught there for an additional three years until 1953, when he began philosophy studies at Bigard Memorial Seminary at Enugu. In 1955 he traveled to Rome to take courses in theology at the Pontifical Urban University. Only three years later he was ordained to the priesthood.

He briefly returned to Bigard to teach liturgy, logic, and philosophy but before long was appointed as regional secretary for Catholic education for eastern Nigeria. He earned a diploma at the Institute of Pedagogy in London in 1964 before receiving a significant double appointment to the titular church of Fissiana, Nigeria and as coadjutor to the Archbishop of Onitsha on July 6, 1965, and was consecrated less than two months later – at the age of only 32. Two years later he took over the complete pastoral government of the archdiocese and was named archbishop on June 26, 1967, at the age of 34.

Arinze’s ecclesiastical career in the 1960’s was marked by extremes. He was appointed to the hierarchy in time to attend the last session of the Vatican II Council but also in time to steward his archdiocese through the horrors of the Nigerian civil war. Arinze dodged bombs and Nigerian security forces as a “fugitive bishop,” in a harrowing period documented in Gerard O’Connell’s recent book, God’s Invisible Hand. When the smoke cleared, Arinze was left with the arduous task of rebuilding his diocese, one made especially difficult after the expulsion of all foreign missionaries from Nigeria. Nonetheless, under Arinze vocations and membership in Onitsha boomed in the postwar years.

His great success led to a flurry of new honors and appointments in subsequent years. In 1979 he was elected president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. In 1982 he was elected vice president for Africa of the United Bible Society. Pope John Paul II was so impressed when he visited that year that in 1984 he named Arinze to head the Secretariat for Non-Christians (now the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue), and created him cardinal the following year in the 1985 consistory.

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue

If indeed the threat of Communism was the great challenge for the Church in the 20th century, many have come to think that its relationship with Islam may be its challenge for this century. For nearly two decades, Cardinal Arinze served as the Church’s point man on this front.

Taking its cue from the Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate, the Council for Intereligious Dialogue has the difficult task of undertaking study and dialogue with non-Christian and non-Jewish religions. For Arinze, this meant a heavy schedule of meetings with a host of imams, mullahs, lamas and building respectful dialogue while at the same time maintaining the Church’s line on doctrine.

By and large, Arinze managed the balancing act with plaudits from inside and outside the Church – no mean feat in places like his native Nigeria, where religious clashes frequently lead to bloodshed. In1999 he received a gold medallion from the International Council of Christians and Jews for his "outstanding achievements in inter-faith relations".

Congregation for Divine Worship

On October 2, 2002, Pope John Paul II nominated Cardinal Arinze to his most formidable assignment yet: Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, which stands just fourth in the curial hierarchy.

One of the better known curial offices, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has been in existence as currently constituted for only 36 years but has roots going back much further. It has responsibility to regulate and promote the sacred liturgy, primarily of the sacraments - though without prejudice to the competence of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In the wake of Vatican II and its liturgical reforms, the office has quickly become one of the most important – and unenviable – congregations in the curia.

Although Cardinal Arinze has been prefect for little over two years, he has energetically overseen its efforts to address growing concerns over practices and abuses in the liturgy – the most notable effort being last year’s Redemptionis Sacramentum. It also helped to clarify an issue especially of concern to Cardinal Arinze: how enculturation may take place acceptably within the liturgy.

According to Fr. Fessio, Arinze, like his predecessor, shares concerns about what has happened to the liturgy in recent years. "The Cardinal has the same orientation as Cardinal Medina,” he said. There's no question about the fact that he appreciates tradition. It would have been a stronger document had it not been bounced around to so many congregations.“

“It was a compromise document."

Curial membership:

Doctrine of the Faith, Oriental Churches, Causes of Saints, Evangelization of Peoples (congregations) Laity, Christian Unity, Culture (councils) International Eucharistic Congresses (committee) Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops

Special Council for Africa and Special Council for Lebanon of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 25 May 1985, of the Title of S. Giovanni della Pigna (deaconry raised pro hac vice to presbyteral title on 29 January 1996).


18 posted on 04/05/2005 8:27:08 AM PDT by The Iguana [/quote]

I really like the mention of how he intentionally made those comments at Georgetown, aware of the controversy they would cause.

I pray that the Holy Spirit chooses Arinze.

[Antonius]

I wonder if he's aware that still there are bishops and priests in the USA who do not follow Redemptionis Sacramentum. I wonder if he has a special solution for the American church... I know that we are only a part of the Church, but America has been and still could be a fruitful part of the Church, if only the Faith was properly taught and the Church's Mass was celebrated instead of Fr. Wishy-Washy's hippie version.

Arinze has the assertiveness to do it. Georgetown was a warning to all those who support a culture of death and numbness to life. You can "follow your consciences" right out the door!

Maybe I'm being a bit reactionary?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Antonius' date='Apr 14 2005, 02:16 PM'] Maybe I'm being a bit reactionary? [/quote]
No, you're completely correct.

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='Antonius' date='Apr 14 2005, 01:16 PM'] You can "follow your consciences" right out the door!
[/quote]
:rotfl: :haha:

I've been tempted to say that to some Catholics, but was worried that actively telling someone to leave the Church would be wrong. Hilarious, though.

[Antonius]

Yeah, it is a nice way to phrase the situation.

I learned it from a guy I met on the way home from an Avery Cardinal Dulles lecture at Fordham. The guy was saying what he would do if he were Pope. Really great guy. He said then that Cardinal Pell would do something like that, since he's a solid guy.

[MC Just]

[quote name='Antonius' date='Apr 14 2005, 01:16 PM'] I wonder if he's aware that still there are bishops and priests in the USA who do not follow Redemptionis Sacramentum. I wonder if he has a special solution for the American church... I know that we are only a part of the Church, but America has been and still could be a fruitful part of the Church, if only the Faith was properly taught and the Church's Mass was celebrated instead of Fr. Wishy-Washy's hippie version.

Arinze has the assertiveness to do it. Georgetown was a warning to all those who support a culture of death and numbness to life. You can "follow your consciences" right out the door!

Maybe I'm being a bit reactionary? [/quote]
I'd like to find every dissenter Church in Usa and report them.

[MC Just]

Bump!

[toby1986]

[quote]"Greet eachother outside of church. When you get inside church be silent." [/quote]
and
[quote]"The church never said to remove the altar rails... If anyone can find me something where the church said to remove the altar rails I will give him a reward."[/quote]

OO, OO, OO, When did Arinze quote this? This is awesome! A parish next to mine recently build a new church building and I have attended mass there [u]only once[/u] for an ordination of my bro-in-law to deaconnite. There were kids running all over the place, people talking out loud like if they were at a barbecue, choir making noise, (not serious practice). It was complete chaos. My bro-in-law afterwards, when we met a dinner, stated that there would not be another church like that, to which I blurted out "Thank God". He didnt appreciate it. Altar rails? Many kids now-a-days do not have the foggiest idea what one looks like. We have them at our church and we all kneel to receive communion-- on the tongue-- BTW its not a TLM either...

[quote]But I think greatest thing about Arinze is that he would be awesome with young adults like us.[/quote]
HEY!!! I think he would be awesome with old dudes like me too..

I love him and for sometime now have hoped that he would be the next Pope. I think that just as John Paul the Great was great in the downfall of communism, he can have the same effect with Islam. Especially since the Church is growing by leaps and bounds in Africa.
I think he would look great with an :afro: Just kidding.....

[toby1986]

[quote]That is THE DOPEST MITRE ever worn! BAM! Couldn't you just see him as our PAPA! [/quote]

I think that Mitre is awesome. Can you just envision him preaching hellfire and brimstone wearing that Mitre?!!
I'm sure that would scare the out of many people...

[timsj]

[quote name='Cam42' date='Apr 8 2005, 06:41 PM'] You guys do realize he wouldn't be the first black pope right?

Pope St. Gelasius I (one of my favorite popes), was [i]natione Afer[/i], however, he was [i]Romanus natus[/i].

This means that he was of African descent, but born a Roman citizen. ie. He was most probably black. Did I say that I really like the name Pope Gelasius III.

Cam [/quote]
I am not sure there will ever be a gelasius III... as the second Gelasius had such a bad time!!! The Holy Roman emperor (I think Henry IV) drove Gelasius from Rome in March, pronounced his election null and void, and set up Burdinus, archbishop of Braga, as antipope under the name of Gregory VIII.

Gelasius fled to Gaeta, where he was ordained priest ( he had been elected pope by his predecessor outside of holy orders!!) on the 9th of March and on the following day received episcopal consecration. He at once excommunicated Henry and the antipope and, under Norman protection, was able to return to Rome in July; but the disturbances of the imperialist party, especially of the Frangipani, who attacked the pope while celebrating mass in the church of St Prassede, compelled Gelasius to go once more into exile. He set out for France, consecrating the cathedral of Pisa on the way, and arrived at Marseilles in October. He was received with great enthusiasm at Avignon, Montpellier and other cities, held a synod at Vienne in January 1119, and was planning to hold a general council to settle the investiture contest when he died at Cluny.

Maybe not the best precedent!!!!

By the way I think scholasticopinion is that Gelasius I, was not Black... as you rightly say he was born in Rome but his parents (possibly traders from around what is now algeria/morroco) when probably of Arabic complexion. Although there is no definate prood either way

[timsj]

"The church never said to remove the altar rails... If anyone can find me something where the church said to remove the altar rails I will give him a reward."

I'm not sure he did say this.... as it is faintly ridiculous.

When the church reformed the liturgy in Vatican II, the guidlines issued where a little important than the importance of altar rails.... which of course where not present in all churches anyway!

this is the danger of us all projecting our own agendas and putting words into the Cardinals mouths..... May I be as bold as to suggest a bit of caution.

Edited April 17, 2005 by timsj

[Myles Domini]

Its not at all ridiculous Tim. Vatican II did not reform the mass, Sancrosanctum Concilium merely issued guidelines for this--and though I must admit I am not that well versed in the document, I dont recall it laying down any concrete (that is 'do this, this, this and that') instructions for the reform of the Mass. My reading of the document was merely that Sancrosanctum Concilium issued guideliness for liturgical reform, guideliness which were ultimately interpreted by Paul VI's liturgical commission which produced the revised breviary 4 years after the Second Vatican Council was closed.

Being ethnically afro-carribean I know how blunt black people can be. Moreover, knowing Arinze that sounds like something he could and would say and indeed I would second him. Where do the magisterial documents of the Church say we should remove altar rails?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='timsj' date='Apr 17 2005, 06:37 PM'] "The church never said to remove the altar rails... If anyone can find me something where the church said to remove the altar rails I will give him a reward."

I'm not sure he did say this.... as it is faintly ridiculous.

When the church reformed the liturgy in Vatican II, the guidlines issued where a little important than the importance of altar rails.... which of course where not present in all churches anyway!

this is the danger of us all projecting our own agendas and putting words into the Cardinals mouths..... May I be as bold as to suggest a bit of caution. [/quote]
Actually, I have heard that there was no call to remove the altar rails. I would like to see where that was called for.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='Myles' date='Apr 17 2005, 07:12 PM'] Being ethnically afro-carribean I know how blunt black people can be. Moreover, knowing Arinze that sounds like something he could and would say and indeed I would second him. Where do the magisterial documents of the Church say we should remove altar rails? [/quote]
I love the blunt style.

Someone the other day, a devout Catholic, was saying that he was just trying to dodge the question when he said, "that's a first grade question."

I saw something different...I see a guy who is sick of the media asking the same questions over and over looking for some new soundbite they can twist and reject and mock. He was blunt and refused to give it to them.

If indeed it is time to separate the wheat from the chaff, I think Cardinal Arinze may do it.

I love him, and as the Irish/German/Polish white boy I am, I salute this cultural trait.

[Guest Eremite]

haha. I am also enthused by Arinze's bluntness. When I saw him on EWTN, I couldn't help but think about him as Pope, laying the smack down without mincing words. (Not that John Paul II was a pushover; but he did have a different personality).