Hispanic Clergy Could be in the Running

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http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?fpa=0&id=22073

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.
Source: (c)2004 Miami Herald. All Rights Reserved.