Cláudio Hummes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Cláudio Hummes OFM |
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| Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Clergy | |
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| See | São Paulo |
| Appointed | 31 October 2006 |
| Reign ended | 7 October 2010 |
| Predecessor | Darío Castrillón Hoyos |
| Successor | Mauro Piacenza |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of S. Antonio da Padova in Via Merulana |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 3 August 1958 |
| Consecration | 25 May 1975 by Aloísio Leo Arlindo Lorscheider |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 2001 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Auri Alfonso Hummes |
| Born | 8 August 1934 Batinga Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil |
| Died | 4 July 2022 (aged 87) São Paulo, Brazil |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | Omnes Vos Fratres (We are all brothers) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Cláudio Hummes (born Auri Alfonso Hummes; 8 August 1934 – 4 July 2022) was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Brazil. He was a member of the Order of Friars Minor, a religious group known for helping others. He strongly believed in social justice, which means fairness for everyone in society.
Cardinal Hummes served as the head of the Congregation for the Clergy, a major department in the Catholic Church, from 2006 to 2010. Before that, he was an Archbishop in important cities in Brazil, like Fortaleza and São Paulo. He became a Cardinal in 2001.
Contents
Life and Church Service
Early Life and Education
Cláudio Hummes was born Auri Alfonso Hummes in a small village called Batinga Sul in Brazil. His parents were of German background. When he joined the Franciscan order, he chose the name Cláudio.
He became a priest on 3 August 1958. Later, he earned a special degree in philosophy from a university in Rome in 1963. After his studies, he taught philosophy at different seminaries and universities in Brazil. He also studied about how different Christian churches can work together.
Becoming a Bishop
On 22 March 1975, Cláudio Hummes was appointed a Bishop for the city of Santo André. He officially became a bishop on 25 May 1975.
As Bishop of Santo André, he supported labor unions during a time when Brazil was under a strict government. He allowed union meetings in church buildings. This showed his support for ordinary people and their rights. He also became friends with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who later became the president of Brazil. In 1996, he became the Archbishop of Fortaleza. Then, in 1998, he became the Archbishop of São Paulo, a very large and important city.
| Styles of Cláudio Hummes |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | São Paulo (Emeritus) |
Becoming a Cardinal
Cláudio Hummes was made a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on 21 February 2001. Cardinals are important leaders in the Catholic Church who advise the Pope and can vote for a new Pope.
He was one of the cardinals who voted in the 2005 election that chose Pope Benedict XVI. Many people thought he might even become Pope himself.
In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Hummes to lead the Congregation for the Clergy. This department helps guide and support priests around the world. He retired from this role in 2010.
In 2013, he was again one of the cardinals who voted in the election that chose Pope Francis. When Pope Francis was elected, Cardinal Hummes whispered to him, "Don't forget the poor." Pope Francis later said that this reminder made him think of Francis of Assisi, a saint known for helping the poor and protecting nature. This is why he chose the name Francis.
A year later, Cardinal Hummes became the honorary president of the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM). This group works to support the Church's efforts in the Amazon region, especially helping the local people and protecting the environment. He emphasized that the Church in the Amazon should be "missionary, merciful, prophetic, and close to all the people, especially the poorest."
Passing Away
Cardinal Hummes passed away at his home in São Paulo on 4 July 2022, at the age of 87. He had been battling lung cancer.
Caring for Our Planet
On 29 November 2015, Cardinal Hummes took part in a special event before a big climate change meeting in Paris. He and an activist named Oscar Soria showed a pair of shoes that Pope Francis had donated. These shoes were part of a symbolic march.
Because public protests were not allowed in Paris at the time, people from all over the world donated shoes. These shoes were placed in a public square to represent a march for climate action. Pope Francis supported this idea.
Cardinal Hummes told reporters that Pope Francis wanted to join in this symbolic way. He said, "We ask for big cuts in carbon emissions to keep the global temperature from rising too much." He also asked wealthier countries to help poorer countries deal with the effects of climate change.
He later shared that it was a very important and emotional moment. He felt it was a powerful way for people, including Pope Francis, to push for action against climate change.
Important Ideas
Fairness in Money Matters
Cardinal Hummes often spoke about how global capitalism (the worldwide system of buying and selling) could sometimes lead to problems. He believed that selling off government companies and lowering taxes on imported goods had sometimes made "misery and poverty" worse for millions of people around the world.
Supporting Indigenous People
Cardinal Hummes strongly spoke out against attacks on homeless indigenous people. He said that such violence was "unacceptable" and should be stopped. He believed the Church had a duty to help those forced to live on the streets, especially the poor and those with disabilities.
Priests and Marriage
In 2006, Cardinal Hummes mentioned that the Catholic Church could discuss the rule that priests cannot marry. He explained that this rule, called celibacy, is a tradition and a church rule, not a core belief. He said it is a "long and valuable tradition" but could be reviewed.
Published Works
ISBN: 978-85-422-1151-1
ISBN: 9788534949002
