Pope accepts resignations of three of Brazil's six cardinals

Published: 2004-01-28

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignations of three of the six cardinals who head archdioceses in Brazil. Although all three are well past the normal retirement age of 75, accepting their resignations on the same day, Jan. 28, was unusual. Those retiring are Cardinals Aloisio Lorscheider of Aparecida, 79; Serafim Fernandes de Araujo of Belo Horizonte, 79; and Jose Freire Falcao of Brasilia, 78. Also Jan. 28, Pope John Paul named new archbishops to succeed the three cardinals. Auxiliary Bishop Raymundo Damasceno Assis of Brasilia was named archbishop of Aparecida. The 66-year-old was secretary-general of the Latin American bishops' council, known by its Spanish acronym, CELAM. Auxiliary Bishop Walmor Oliveira de Azevedo of Sao Salvador da Bahia, 49, was named archbishop of Belo Horizonte. He is president of the Brazilian bishops' doctrinal commission. Archbishop Joao Braz de Aviz of Maringa, 56, was named archbishop of Brasilia.

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