Francisco Vidal y Barraquer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Francisco de Asís Vidal y Barraquer |
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| Archbishop of Tarragona | |
Pictured sometime between 1918 and 1931.
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Appointed | 7 May 1919 |
| Reign ended | 13 September 1943 |
| Predecessor | Antolín López y Peláez |
| Successor | Manuel Arce y Ochotorena |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Priest of Santa Sabina (1921–43) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 17 September 1899 |
| Consecration | 26 April 1914 by Antolín López y Peláez |
| Created Cardinal | 7 March 1921 |
| Rank | Cardinal-priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Francisco de Asís Vidal y Barraquer |
| Born | 3 October 1868 Cambrils, Spanish Kingdom |
| Died | 13 September 1943 (aged 74) Foyer Saint'Elizabeth, Fribourg, Switzerland |
| Buried | Tarragona Cathedral (since 1978) |
| Parents | Francisco Vidal i Gimbernat Angelina Barraquer i Roviralta |
| Previous post | Titular Bishop of Pentacomia (1913–19) Apostolic Administrator of Solsona (1913–19) |
| Alma mater | University of Barcelona University of Madrid |
| Motto | Diligite alterutrum |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Francisco Vidal y Barraquer |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Tarragona |
Francisco de Asís Vidal y Barraquer (also known as Francesc d'Assís Vidal i Barraquer in Catalan) was an important Spanish Cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church. He was born on October 3, 1868, and passed away on September 13, 1943. He served as the Archbishop of Tarragona from 1919 until his death. He became a Cardinal in 1921.
Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer is well-known for not signing a letter in 1937. This letter showed support from the Spanish Church leaders for Francisco Franco's forces during the Spanish Civil War. Because of this, he lived in Switzerland away from his home country.
Contents
Early Life and Church Career
Becoming a Priest
Francisco Vidal y Barraquer was born in Cambrils, a town in Spain. His family owned land and worked in professional jobs. He went to school at Colegio San Ignacio in Manresa from 1880 to 1885. After that, he studied at the seminary in Barcelona and earned his first degree. He then studied law at the University of Barcelona for a year.
In 1895, Francisco decided to join the church and entered the seminary in Tarragona. He became a priest on September 17, 1899. A year later, in 1900, he earned his doctorate degree in law from the University of Madrid. He had thought about joining the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), but his father wanted him to finish his studies first.
Roles in Tarragona
After becoming a priest, Vidal y Barraquer worked in church communities in Tarragona. He held several important positions in the archdiocese. From 1905 to 1909, he served as a provisor and acting vicar general. He also became a canon of the Tarragona cathedral from 1907 to 1913. A canon is a type of priest who works closely with the bishop. He was the vicar general from 1909 to 1913.
Becoming a Bishop and Archbishop
On November 10, 1913, Vidal y Barraquer was given a new role. He became an apostolic administrator for Solsona and a titular bishop of Pentacomia. A titular bishop is a bishop who holds a title but does not have a specific diocese to lead. He became a bishop on April 26, 1914, in the Tarragona cathedral.
He also served as a senator for the province of Tarragona in the Spanish kingdom from 1914 to 1916. He turned down an offer to become the bishop of Cádiz. This showed his commitment to helping ease political and social problems in Catalonia. On May 7, 1919, he was appointed Archbishop of Tarragona.
Becoming a Cardinal
Pope Benedict XV chose him to become a Cardinal priest on March 7, 1921. Cardinals are high-ranking officials in the Catholic Church, just below the Pope. As a Cardinal, Vidal y Barraquer helped choose the next Pope in 1922. This was the 1922 papal conclave, which elected Pope Pius XI.
Pope Pius XI later offered him the top church position in Toledo, Spain, but Vidal y Barraquer politely refused. He also turned down offers to lead the church in Zaragoza and to work in the main offices of the Roman Curia in the Vatican. After another Cardinal, Pedro Segura y Sáenz, was sent away by the government, Vidal y Barraquer became the most important church leader in Spain. He tried to help the Church during a time of political change in Spain.
Role During the Spanish Civil War
Standing for Neutrality
During the Spanish Civil War, which began in 1936, Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer chose to remain neutral. This was a very difficult time in Spain. When the war started, his life was in danger from some groups. He had to leave his home and went to Poblet and then to Barcelona.
He was almost captured by some soldiers, but a friend named Ventura Gassol helped save him. Ventura Gassol was a former seminary student and a Catalan Culture Commissioner. He helped many priests in Catalonia during this dangerous time. Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer eventually left Spain and went to a monastery in Lucca, Italy.
Refusal to Sign the Letter
In 1937, many Spanish bishops signed a letter supporting Francisco Franco's forces in the Civil War. However, Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer famously refused to sign this letter. He believed the Church should not take sides in the conflict. This decision was very important and showed his strong beliefs.
Because of his neutrality and his good relationships with the Republican government in Catalonia, Generalissimo Franco, who led the winning side of the war, did not want him to return to his archdiocese in Tarragona. Even though he was forbidden to return, Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer never gave up his position as Archbishop of Tarragona. Pope Pius XII was very upset that Franco wanted to keep Vidal y Barraquer in exile.
Later Years and Legacy
Franco eventually lifted the ban on Vidal y Barraquer in 1941 after an agreement was made between Spain and the Vatican. However, the Cardinal chose to remain in Italy. In 1943, when German forces occupied Italy, he had to move again, this time to Switzerland.
Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer was a strong supporter of collegiality, which means bishops working together. He also supported Catholic Action, which encourages Catholic people to get involved in society.
Cardinal Vidal y Barraquer passed away in Fribourg, Switzerland, at the age of 74. He was first buried in a monastery in Valsainte. However, in 1978, his remains were moved to Tarragona Cathedral in Spain, as he had wished. He is buried next to his former assistant, Bishop Manuel Borràs, who died tragically during the Civil War.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Vidal y Barraquer para niños
