The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, is to be created a Cardinal. The announcement was made today by Pope John Paul. The ceremony is likely to take place in late February. News of the move has been welcomed by political leaders. President McAleese congratulated Dr Connell, saying the announcement was a cause of great pride and satisfaction to the people of Ireland.
The Taoiseach said that he was delighted at the announcement of the elevation of Dr Connell to cardinal. He said this is a great honour for Dr Connell and for the archdiocese of Dublin who must be very proud of him. John Paul named 37 new cardinals today, possibly including the man who one day will succeed him as Roman Catholic leader. Cardinals are the elite "princes" of the Church. Those under 80, called "cardinal electors," can enter a secret conclave to elect the next Pope from among themselves after John Paul's death.
With the new appointments, to be formalised at a Vatican ceremony on February 21, the Pope has chosen all but 10 of the 128 "cardinal electors" in the 178-member College of Cardinals. According to experts, since the Pope promotes prelates who agree with his teachings, the appointments increased the possibility the next Pontiff will also be a theological conservative who will not tamper with controversial rulings such as bans on contraception and women priests. Only seven of the new cardinals are Italian, increasing the possibility that the Polish-born Pope's successor will be a non-Italian.
Seventeen of the new cardinals come from Latin America, Asia or Africa, raising the chance that the next Pope may come from the developing world.The 80-year-old Pope, who has been suffering from poor health in recent years, announced their names to pilgrims in St Peter's Square after his weekly blessing. Cardinals, who wear red hats and robes, are the Pope's closest advisers in Rome and around the world. The new cardinals come from the Vatican bureaucracy as well as from Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia and elsewhere.
