Carlos Osoro Sierra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Carlos Osoro Sierra |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid | |
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Archdiocese | Madrid |
| See | Madrid |
| Appointed | 28 August 2014 |
| Enthroned | 25 October 2014 |
| Reign ended | 12 June 2023 |
| Predecessor | Antonio María Rouco Varela |
| Successor | José Cobo Cano |
| Other posts |
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| Orders | |
| Ordination | 29 July 1973 |
| Consecration | 22 February 1997 by Lajos Kada |
| Created Cardinal | 19 November 2016 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Carlos Osoro Sierra |
| Born | 16 May 1945 Castañeda, Cantabria, Spain |
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| Motto | Per Christum et cum ipso et in ipso (Through Him and with Him and in Him) |
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| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Carlos Osoro Sierra |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Carlos Osoro Sierra is an important Spanish leader in the Catholic Church. He was the Archbishop of Madrid from 2014 until 2023. He became a bishop in 1997 and a cardinal in 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Priesthood
Carlos Osoro Sierra was born on May 16, 1945, in Castañeda, a town in northern Spain. He first studied at a school called Escuela Normal and then taught in Santander for a year.
Later, he decided to become a priest. He went to a special school called a seminary in Salamanca. There, he studied theology and philosophy. He also earned degrees in science and education from other universities. On July 29, 1973, he became a priest.
Early Church Roles
After becoming a priest, Carlos Osoro Sierra worked in a church in Torrelavega. From 1976 to 1996, he held several important jobs in the church. He helped with vocations (people wanting to become priests or nuns) and seminaries (schools for priests). He also helped with the work of regular church members and was a leader for pastoral care. For many years, he was also the head of the diocesan seminary and a vicar general, which is a senior priest who helps the bishop.
Becoming a Bishop and Archbishop
In 1996, Pope John Paul II chose Carlos Osoro Sierra to be the Bishop of Orense. He officially became a bishop on February 22, 1997.
In 2002, he was appointed Archbishop of Oviedo. An archbishop is a bishop who leads a larger area called an archdiocese. He also served as the head of a special group for priests in the Spanish Episcopal Conference from 1999 to 2005.
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI named him Archbishop of Valencia. He also briefly served as an administrator for the Diocese of Santander.
Archbishop of Madrid and Cardinal
In 2014, Pope Francis chose Carlos Osoro Sierra to be the Archbishop of Madrid, which is a very important role in Spain. People saw him as a leader who cared deeply about people and their faith.
In October 2015, he took part in a special meeting called a synod, where church leaders discussed family matters. Pope Francis also made him a member of a council that helps organize these synods.
Becoming a Cardinal
On November 19, 2016, Pope Francis announced that he would make Carlos Osoro Sierra a cardinal. Cardinals are very high-ranking leaders in the Catholic Church who advise the Pope. He was given the title of Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Trastevere, which is a church in Rome.
As a cardinal, he became a member of important church groups. In 2017, he joined the Congregation for Catholic Education. In 2019, he joined the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, and in 2021, the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
His Approach to Leadership
Pope Francis has called Carlos Osoro Sierra "Don Carlos the pilgrim." This nickname comes from the cardinal's habit of walking around his archdiocese. He likes to meet and talk with people to understand their lives and needs.
He has always focused on encouraging young people to consider religious vocations. For example, in Valencia, the number of young men studying to become priests grew because of his efforts. When he arrived in Madrid, he planned to start a program to help people connect with the Church and strengthen their faith. He also invited teenagers to special monthly meetings to talk about their concerns. He often celebrated Mass in prisons and visited convents.
When asked if he was a "liberal" or "conservative" leader, Carlos Osoro Sierra said he was simply "a man of the Church." He believed that such labels could distract from the Church's main work.
Carlos Osoro Sierra retired as Archbishop of Madrid on June 12, 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos Osoro para niños
