Ernest Simoni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Ernest Simoni |
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| Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria della Scala | |
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| Church | Catholic Church (Latin Church) |
| Appointed | 19 November 2016 |
| Enthroned | 11 February 2017 |
| Predecessor | Stanisław Nagy |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 7 April 1956 |
| Created Cardinal | 19 November 2016 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Deacon |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Ernest Simoni |
| Born | 18 October 1928 Troshani, Albanian Kingdom |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Motto | Albanian: Zemra jeme dotë triumfojë (My Immaculate Heart will Triumph) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Ernest Simoni |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
Ernest Simoni Troshani, born on October 18, 1928, is an important leader in the Catholic Church from Albania. He is especially known for bravely surviving a time when the government in Albania was against religious freedom. In 2016, Pope Francis chose him to become a cardinal, which is a very high rank in the Catholic Church.
Contents
Ernest Simoni's Life Story
Ernest Simoni was born in 1928 in a place called Troshani, which was part of the Albanian Kingdom at the time. He grew up and became a priest.
Facing Hardship Under Communism
In 1963, Albania was under a strict communist government. This government did not allow people to practice their religion freely. On December 24, 1963, Ernest Simoni was arrested by the authorities. This happened after he led a special church service for the former American President, John F. Kennedy, who had passed away.
During his time in prison, Ernest Simoni faced very difficult conditions. He was treated harshly and pressured to give up his faith. He was even sentenced to death, but this sentence was later changed. Instead, he spent 28 years in prison, forced to do hard labor. He worked first in a mine and then in a sewage canal, which were very tough and dangerous jobs.
Meeting the Pope and Becoming a Cardinal
After many years, the communist rule in Albania ended, and religious freedom returned. On September 21, 2014, Ernest Simoni had a special meeting with Pope Francis during the Pope's visit to Albania. He shared his incredible story of survival and faith under the communist regime.
Pope Francis was deeply moved by Ernest Simoni's courage and strong faith. On October 9, 2016, Pope Francis announced that he would make Ernest Simoni a cardinal. This happened at a special ceremony called a consistory on November 19, 2016.
Usually, cardinals are required to be bishops. However, Pope Francis made a special exception for Ernest Simoni. This meant he could become a cardinal without first being made a bishop. At the ceremony, he was given the title of Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria della Scala, which is a church in Rome.
Awards and Recognition
In 2017, Ernest Simoni received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement. This award recognizes people who have achieved great things and shown strong leadership. The ceremony where he received this honor was held in London.
See also
In Spanish: Ernest Simoni para niños
