Polish cardinal-designate has dedicated his life to church, papacy

Published: 2003-10-07

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- Polish Cardinal-designate Stanislas Nagy said that as a theologian he has always tried to "illuminate the importance and significance of the whole papal office." Cardinal-designate Nagy, who turned 82 Sept. 30, said, "The church has always been the main object of my academic interest -- I try to follow the pope's teaching and illuminate the importance and significance of the whole papal office." He told Poland's Catholic information agency, KAI, "Even so, this is a colossal surprise as well as burden landing on my weak shoulders." He was one of four priests over age 80 who were named cardinals by Pope John Paul II Sept. 28. Because of their age, the over-80 cardinals cannot vote in a conclave to elect a new pope after they are installed in the College of Cardinals Oct. 21 at the Vatican. Cardinal-designate Nagy said he received a personal telephone call from the pope after his nomination.

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