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  Canadian to Head Vatican Department

By Qmi Agency
Toronto Sun
June 30, 2010

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/06/30/14565136.html

MONTREAL -- Controversial Quebec City cardinal Marc Ouellet will serve as head of the Congregation of Bishops, the Vatican announced Wednesday.

Ouellet will replace Italian cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, 76, who is retiring after holding the position since 2000.

He will also serve as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

Ouellet, 66, is Canada's highest-ranking Catholic priest, holding the position of Roman Catholic Primate of Canada.

He recently drew criticism for his stance on abortion and his refusal to offer an apology to victims of child abuse at the hands of church officials.

Ouellet has maintained abortion should not be practised even in cases of rape.

As head of the Congregation for Bishops, Ouellet will be responsible for presenting the Pope with names of bishops to serve in dioceses around the world.

The appointment comes as several bishops have submitted their resignation in the wake of the church's pedophile scandal.

Ouellet obtained a degree in theology at the University of Montreal and was ordained a priest in 1968.

He has held several positions in Montreal and was appointed archbishop of Quebec in 2002 and made a cardinal in 2003.

Ouellet is scheduled to hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon.

 
 

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