Belgian Cardinal Jan Schotte, Vatican official, dies at age 76

Published: 2005-01-11

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Belgian Cardinal Jan Schotte, who served the Holy See for more than three decades, died in Rome Jan. 10 at the age of 76. The Vatican did not give a cause of death. In a telegram of condolence to a member of the late cardinal's family, Pope John Paul II said Cardinal Schotte left his mark as an example of someone who lived his life for Christ, dedicated to his priestly and religious vocation. The late cardinal addressed social issues "in full faithfulness to the Gospel and church teachings," the pope said in his written message released Jan. 11 by the Vatican. Pope John Paul was scheduled to preside and deliver the homily at the cardinal's Jan. 14 funeral Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Cardinal Schotte died while still holding several Vatican posts, including president of the Vatican's labor office, which is responsible for overseeing the city-state's work force.

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