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Cardinal Re to preside the Eucharist of the Centennial

by OAR | Photography: Archivo

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Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, will take part on November 28 in the activities organized by the Augustinian Recollects on the occasion of the Centenary of the Chapter of San Millan. He will join the 14 Augustinian Recollect bishops in the Rioja monastery and preside over the solemn Eucharist of the Centennial which will also concludes the Vocation Year. Cardinal Re was made Brother General of the Order during the last General Chapter (Rome 2004).

Cardinal Re and the Augustinian Recollects

The relation of Cardinal Re with the Augustinian Recollects started from way back. It began in Panama when the Cardinal was appointed in 1963 the Secretary of the Nuntiature. Since the Nuntiature stands in front of Colegio San Agustín of the Augustinian Recollects, a cordial relation developed spontaneously with Fr Benjamín Ayechu, then rector of the school, and the other friars.

From Panana, Giovani Battista Re was transferred to the Nuntiature of Tehran, Iran and later to the Secretariat of State in Rome. Fr Ayechu maintained communication with Msgr Re, a relation of trust which extended to other friars.

Cardinal Re has shown his friendship to the Order on events like the celebration of the 4th Centennial of the Recollection (1988), the canonization of St Ezekiel Moreno in Santo Domingo (1992) and the beatification of the Martyrs of Motril (1999). He presided over the Eucharists celebrated in Rome on the occasion of the centenary of the death of St Ezekiel (2006) and the opening of the Process of beatification of Fr Jenaro Fernández (2008).

During the 2004 General Chapter he presided the Eucharist on November 1 and on that very day the Prior General Javier Guerra bestowed on him the title of Brother General of the Order. The document reads: "We admit Your Eminence to participate in the spiritual goods of the Order of Augustinian Recollect, in recognition of your long and continuous friendship and closeness to the Order, and with great pleasure we give you our welcome to become part of our religious family".

Short biographical sketch

Date of Birth. He was born on January 30, 1934 in Borno, diocesis of Brescia, Italy.

Education. Seminary of Brescia. Gregorian Pontifical University, Rome (Doctorate in Canon Law). Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, Rome.

Priesthood. Ordained March 3, 1957 in Brescia. He pursued studies in Rome from 1957 to 1960. In Brescia, 1960-1961, member of the seminary faculty and pastoral ministry. He continued his studies, in Rome, from 1962 to 1963.

Offices. He joined the Vatican diplomatic service on July 1, 1963. Secretary of the Nuntiature in Panama, 1963-1967. Monsignor, with the title Papal Chaplain. Secretary of the Nuntiature of Iran, 1967-1971. Recalled to the Vatican and promoted as 2nd Class Auditor; worked in the Secretariat of State and was Secretary to Msgr Giovanni Benelli, titular Archbishop of Tusuro. Substitute of the Secretariat of State, 1971-1977. 1st. Class Auditor, 1974. Councilor of the nuntiature, 1976. Assessor of the Secretariat of State, December 1, 1979.

Episcopate. Appointed titular Archbishop of Vescovio and Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops, October 9, 1987. Consecrated bishop on November 7, 1987 in the Basilica of St Peter by Pope John Paul II.

Substitute of the Secretariat of State. On December 12, 1989 he was appointed Substitute of the Secretariat of State in the Section of General Affairs.

Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. On October 16, 2000 he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Cardinalate. Made Cardinal priest on February 21, 2001, he received the red hat and the title of the Holy Twelve Apostles.