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  Cardinal Visits Cincinnati

Ohio News Network [Cincinnati OH]
October 10, 2003

A Roman Catholic prelate who's been mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed Pope John Paul the second visited Cincinnati Friday.

Cardinal Oscar Andres Rodriguez Maradiaga of Honduras was the keynote speaker for a ceremony at a Cincinnati seminary. The Athenaeum of Ohio-Mount Saint Mary's Seminary hosted a church convocation Friday to celebrate its 175th

anniversary next year.

In his address he said the church's primary concern for sexual abuse victims should be to minister to them spiritually. That is because he says it is not enough for the church to only take care of the financial obligations to victims of clergy sex abuse.

The cardinal also says he supports the requirement of celibacy for Catholic clergy. He says celibacy is a means for priests to devote themselves to the church at all times. He said it is a responsibility that Catholic priests knowingly assume.

The 59-year-old Rodriguez Maradiaga is a former president of the Conference of Latin American Bishops. His elevation to cardinal two years ago made him the first cardinal in the history of Honduras.

The cardinal is one of at least ten who have been mentioned as possible candidates to succeed John Paul, but said he doesn't see himself becoming pope. He says he's too focused on his mission in his native Honduras to fight poverty there and find new candidates for the clergy.

 
 

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