Benedict XVI remembered Cardinal Antonio María Javierre Ortas, former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, as a "valuable collaborator of the Successor of Peter."The cardinal, who would have been 86 this month, died today of a heart attack. It was a "very serene and tranquil death," said Father Lope Rubio Parrado, rector of the Spanish College in Rome.
The priest said he celebrated Wednesday's feast of St. John Bosco with the cardinal, who was a member of the Salesians, the order the saint founded. Benedict XVI sent his condolences in two telegrams, one to Father Pascual Chávez Villanueva, rector major of the Salesians, and another to the cardinal's brother, Father José María Javierre Ortas.
The Pope wrote to the cardinal's brother: "Remembering the renowned man of the Church and valuable collaborator of the Successor of Peter, I raise my prayers to the almighty so that he will grant your deceased brother the eternal recompense promised to those who serve him faithfully." Father Antonio Javierre served as the rector of the Pontifical Salesian University before being appointed as secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education in 1972.
He was also ordained a bishop. He was elevated to as cardinal in 1988 and appointed to work in the Vatican Library and the Vatican Secret Archives.
In 1992, Cardinal Javierre Ortas was appointed prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. He retired in 1996. Benedict XVI will preside at Cardinal Javierre's funeral Mass at noon on Friday in St. Peter's Basilica, announced the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.
With his death, there are now 184 members of the College of Cardinals, including 110 electors who could participate in a conclave.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce