After the Angelus this Sunday (6), Pope Francis announced that he will hold a Consistory on December 8 to create 21 new cardinals, coming from different parts of the world. Among them is the Brazilian Dom Jaime Spengler, archbishop of Porto Alegre, in Rio Grande do Sul, and current president of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops (CNBB) and the Latin American Episcopal Council (Celam).
The new cardinals come from several countries such as Iran, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Ivory Coast, Algeria, in addition to Brazil, with Spengler’s appointment. The announcement, made from the window of the Apostolic Palace, is part of a tradition of Francis’ pontificate, which often surprises with his choices of cardinals from less traditional regions. The ceremony will take place on December 8th, during the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
After this date, the number of cardinal electors – that is, those under 80 years of age and who can vote in the conclave – will reach 122, exceeding the limit of 120 provided for in the rules of the Catholic Church. However, two of the named cardinals will reach the age limit later this year, and another 13 will do so by the end of 2025.
Who is the new Brazilian cardinal Dom Jaime Spengler
Born in Gaspar (SC) in 1960, Dom Jaime Spengler joined the Order of Friars Minor in 1982. He studied philosophy and theology both in Brazil and in Jerusalem, Israel. In 1990, back in his hometown, he was ordained a priest.
Later, Dom Jaime obtained a doctorate in philosophy from the Pontifical University Antonianum, in Rome. In 2010, he was appointed auxiliary bishop by Pope Benedict XVI, and was ordained in 2011 in Gaspar.
In September 2013, he was appointed Archbishop of Porto Alegre by Pope Francis, following the resignation of Dom Dadeus Grings. In 2019, he was elected 1st vice-president of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB).
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