Henri Schwery facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Henri Schwery |
|
|---|---|
| Cardinal Bishop of Sion |
|
| Church | Roman Catholic |
| Diocese | Sion |
| Appointed | 22 July 1977 |
| Reign ended | 1 April 1995 |
| Predecessor | François-Nestor Adam |
| Successor | Norbert Brunner |
| Other posts | Cardinal Priest of Santi Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica (1991–2021) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 7 July 1957 |
| Consecration | 17 September 1977 by François-Nestor Adam |
| Created Cardinal | 28 June 1991 |
| Rank | Cardinal priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Henri Schwery |
| Born | 14 June 1932 Saint-Léonard, Switzerland |
| Died | 7 January 2021 (aged 88) Home Le Carillon, Saint-Léonard, Switzerland |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Previous post | President of the Swiss Bishops' Conference (1983–1988) |
| Motto | Spiritus Domini gaudium et spes ('The Spirit of the Lord, [our] joy and hope') |
| Styles of Henri Schwery |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Sion |
Henri Schwery (born June 14, 1932 – died January 7, 2021) was an important leader in the Catholic Church from Switzerland. He served as the Bishop of Sion from 1977 to 1995. In 1991, he was given the special title of Cardinal.
Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Henri Schwery was born in St-Léonard, a town in Valais, Switzerland. He studied many subjects, including mathematics, physics, and theology (the study of religious faith). He went to schools in Sion, Rome, and Fribourg. On July 7, 1957, he became a priest.
Becoming a Bishop
From 1961 to 1977, Henri Schwery taught at the theology school in Sion. He was even in charge of the school from 1972 to 1977.
On July 22, 1977, Pope Paul VI chose Schwery to be the Bishop of Sion. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the Catholic Church. On September 17, 1977, he was officially made a bishop by François-Nestor Adam, who was the bishop before him.
Henri Schwery also led the Swiss Bishops' Conference from 1983 to 1988. This group helps guide the Catholic Church in Switzerland.
In June 1988, a religious leader named Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre went against the Pope's wishes. He appointed four bishops without the Pope's approval. Bishop Schwery strongly asked for everyone to stay united within the Church.
Becoming a Cardinal
On June 28, 1991, Pope John Paul II gave Henri Schwery the very important title of Cardinal. Cardinals are special advisors to the Pope. He was assigned to a church in Rome called Santi Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica.
Later, on July 25, 1991, Pope John Paul II made him a member of two important groups in the Vatican. These groups help with church services and with guiding priests.
When Archbishop Lefebvre passed away in March 1991, Cardinal Schwery visited quietly to pray. He went with Edoardo Rovida, who was the Pope's representative in Switzerland.
On April 1, 1995, when he was 62 years old, Pope John Paul II accepted Cardinal Schwery's request to step down as Bishop of Sion. He had asked to leave his role because of health issues.
In 2005, Cardinal Schwery was one of the cardinals who voted to choose the next Pope. This special meeting is called a papal conclave. They chose Pope Benedict XVI.
Cardinal Henri Schwery passed away on January 7, 2021, at a retirement home in St-Léonard.
