Hispanic Clergy Could be in the Running

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Hispanic Clergy Could be in the Running


April 4, 2005

ALEXANDRA ALTER

In a nod to the emergence of Catholics from Latin America, several prominent Latin American cardinals have been cited as possible contenders for the papacy.

Most are theologically conservative but socially liberal, according to Christie Vila, an expert on Catholicism in Latin America and a researcher at the University of Miami.

"It would be exciting to have a Latin American pope because the church will soon be more from the Southern Hemisphere than from the Northern Hemisphere," Vila said.

Prominent Latin American contenders for the papacy include:

** Cardinal Claudio Hummes (pronounced "oomes"), Brazil

Theologically conservative, but active in confronting poverty and other social ills, the Franciscan archbishop of San Paulo is considered one of the leading Latin American candidates. Hummes, 70, who once supported a strike led by then leftist activist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, speaks five languages and is considered a centrist on Catholic doctrine.

"He is within the age range, is a moderate conservative and has extensive pastoral experience of the kind that makes him a good bet," Vila said.

** Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega Y Alamino, Cuba

As the archbishop of Havana, Ortega, 68, has been credited by some with helping the church survive under Cuba's communist regime. Many see parallels with John Paul II, who grew up under a communist regime in Poland and first visited Cuba in 1998.

Others, however, have been disappointed by what they see as Ortega's unwillingness to stand up to Fidel Castro and his inability to help the church flourish in Cuba.

** Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga, Honduras

The archbishop of Tegucigalpa has received attention as a rising star, but he may be too young to be considered a serious papal candidate. (Cardinals will likely select an older candidate to avoid another extremely long papal rule, scholars say.) Rodríguez, 62, who speaks nearly flawless English and has studied in the United States, has received death threats from Colombia-based drug cartels after denouncing their use of Honduras as a conduit. He has spoken out against globalization and criticized the American press coverage of the sexual-abuse scandal involving clergy. He speaks six languages, holds a pilot's license, and plays the violin, piano and saxophone.

** Cardinal Dario Castrillo Hoyos, Colombia

Colombia Castrillon, 75, who heads the Vatican office of the clergy, was appointed by Pope John Paul II as one of the three co-presidents of the Synod for the Americas. Castrillón is considered a favorite among archconservatives. He has taken a strong stance against Colombia's drug lords.


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