French cardinal-designate has been advocate for immigrants, peace

Published: 2003-10-09

PARIS (CNS) -- Shortly after arriving in Lyons in 2002, Cardinal-designate Philippe Barbarin announced his support for a group of illegal immigrants occupying a parish. The new archbishop said he would follow their case personally. For Cardinal-designate Barbarin, head of the French bishops' social commission, advocating on behalf of France's illegal immigrants is a task that has shaped his ministry. The French archbishop was among 30 new cardinals Pope John Paul II named Sept. 28. He will be elevated in a consistory at the Vatican Oct. 21. Cardinal-designate Barbarin said those being named a cardinal in 2003 have a much different mandate than those named in past years. This nomination, he said, "is geared toward the election of the future pope." He told the French Catholic daily La Croix, "This is a task I have not prepared myself for at all." The pope's fragile health "makes this responsibility particularly hard," he said. "I know I will greet the new pope as someone who participated in his election," he said.

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