Antonio María Rouco Varela facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Antonio Rouco Varela |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop emeritus of Madrid | |
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Antonio María Rouco Varela
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| Archdiocese | Madrid |
| Appointed | 28 July 1994 |
| Reign ended | 28 August 2014 |
| Predecessor | Angel Suquía Goicoechea |
| Successor | Carlos Osoro Sierra |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of San Lorenzo in Damaso President of the Spanish Episcopal Conference |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 28 March 1959 |
| Consecration | 31 October 1976 by Maximino Romero de Lema |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 1998 |
| Rank | Cardinal Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Antonio María Rouco Varela |
| Born | 20 August 1936 Vilalba, Galicia, Spanish Republic |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Denomination | Roman Catholicism |
| Parents |
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| Motto | In ecclesiae communione |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Antonio Rouco Varela |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Madrid |
Antonio María Rouco Varela (born 20 August 1936) is a Spanish prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. A prelate is a high-ranking religious leader. He served as the Archbishop of Madrid from 1994 to 2014. He became a cardinal in 1998. Cardinal Rouco Varela also led the Episcopal Conference of Spain for several years. This conference is a group of bishops who work together on important church matters in Spain.
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Life and Education
Antonio Rouco Varela was born in Vilalba, Spain, on August 20, 1936. His parents were Vicente Rouco and María Eugenia Varela. He studied to become a priest at the seminary in Mondoñedo. He also attended the Pontifical University of Salamanca. There, he earned a degree in theology.
Becoming a Priest and Bishop
Antonio Rouco Varela became a priest on March 28, 1959. He continued his studies at the University of Munich in Germany. In 1964, he earned a special doctorate in canon law. Canon law is the set of rules and laws that govern the Catholic Church.
After his studies, he taught at the seminary of Mondoñedo and the University of Munich. In 1976, he became a bishop. He was first an Auxiliary bishop in Santiago de Compostela. An auxiliary bishop helps the main bishop of a large area.
Leading Archdioceses
In 1984, he became the Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela. An archbishop is a bishop who leads a very large and important church area called an archdiocese. He helped organize the 4th World Youth Day in 1989. This is a big event where young Catholics from all over the world gather.
Five years later, in 1994, he was named the Archbishop of Madrid. Madrid is the capital city of Spain.
Cardinal and Important Events
In 1998, Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal-Priest. Cardinals are very important leaders in the Catholic Church. They help the Pope and can vote for a new Pope.
While he was Archbishop of Madrid, Cardinal Rouco Varela led many important events. These included the wedding of Prince Felipe and Letizia Ortiz. He also baptized their daughters, Leonor, Princess of Asturias, and Sofia.
He participated in the 2005 papal conclave. This is when cardinals gather to elect a new Pope. In 2005, they chose Pope Benedict XVI. In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI visited Madrid for World Youth Day. Cardinal Rouco Varela was the Archbishop there at the time. He also helped found the University of "San Dámaso" in Madrid that same year.
In 2013, he again participated in the papal conclave. This time, Pope Francis was elected. Cardinal Rouco Varela retired as Archbishop of Madrid on August 28, 2014. He was replaced by Carlos Osoro Sierra.
His Beliefs and Focus
Cardinal Rouco Varela has shared his views on several topics.
Supporting Families
He is a supporter of the Neocatechumenal Way. This is a movement within the Catholic Church that focuses on Christian education and community. He helped organize large events called 'family days' in Madrid. These events promoted the traditional Catholic family model.
Church Art and Design
During his time as Archbishop, he oversaw the decoration of the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid. This cathedral was decorated with paintings by Kiko Argüello and mosaics by Father Marko Ivan Rupnik.
Connecting with Young People
Cardinal Rouco Varela has always wanted to help young people. He believes that Christ loves them and wants them to be happy. He has invited young people to have a "profound, authentic and joyful encounter with Jesus Christ." He believes that Jesus can offer them truth, hope, and love. He also believes Jesus can show them the right path to lasting happiness. This was a key message before World Youth Day in 2011.
See also
In Spanish: Antonio María Rouco Varela para niños
