Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino |
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| Cardinal, Archbishop emeritus of San Cristobal de la Habana |
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Diocese | San Cristóbal de la Habana |
| Appointed | 21 November 1981 |
| Reign ended | 26 April 2016 |
| Predecessor | Francisco Ricardo Oves Fernández |
| Successor | Juan de la Caridad Garcia Rodriguez |
| Other posts | Cardinal Priest of Santi Aquila e Priscilla |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2 August 1964 |
| Consecration | 14 January 1979 by Mario Tagliaferri |
| Created Cardinal | 26 November 1994 |
| Rank | Cardinal priest |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino |
| Born | 18 October 1936 Jagüey Grande, Cuba |
| Died | 26 July 2019 (aged 82) El Cobre, Cuba |
| Nationality | Cuban |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | Sufficit tibi gratia mea ('My grace is sufficient for you'; 2 Corinthians 12:9) |
| Coat of arms |  |
Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino (born October 18, 1936 – died July 26, 2019) was an important leader in the Catholic Church in Cuba. He served as the Archbishop of Havana from 1981 to 2016. In 1994, he became a Cardinal, which is a very high rank in the Church. He was only the second Cuban ever to become a Cardinal.
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His Early Life and Becoming a Priest
Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino was born in Jagüey Grande, Cuba, on October 18, 1936. He studied to become a priest in Cuba and Canada. On August 2, 1964, he was ordained as a priest.
He worked in different churches in the Diocese of Matanzas. From 1966 to 1967, he was held in prison by the government. After his release, he continued his work as a pastor in his hometown and other areas. He helped lead a youth movement, organizing summer camps and plays to share religious messages. He also taught moral theology at a seminary in Havana.
Becoming a Bishop and Cardinal
On December 4, 1978, Pope John Paul II chose him to be the Bishop of Diocese of Pinar del Río. He officially became a bishop on January 14, 1979. His special motto as a bishop was Sufficit tibi gratia mea, which means 'My grace is enough for you'.
In 1981, he was chosen to be the Archbishop of Havana. Then, on November 26, 1994, he was made a Cardinal Priest. He also led the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba for many years.
Cardinal Ortega was one of the cardinals who helped choose two popes. He voted in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. He also voted in the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis.
Important Meetings and Resignation
In 2013, Pope Francis asked Cardinal Ortega to be his special representative at a big religious event in El Salvador. On April 26, 2016, Pope Francis accepted Cardinal Ortega's request to step down as archbishop.
Cardinal Ortega played a role in important discussions in Cuba. On May 20, 2010, he met with Cuban President Raúl Castro to talk about people who were held in jail for their political beliefs. He said that changes would happen step by step.
He also met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in 2015. Cardinal Ortega helped with secret talks to bring the United States and Cuba closer together. He even delivered a letter from Pope Francis to President Obama at the White House.
His Beliefs and Actions
Cardinal Ortega believed that both capitalism and communism had problems. He encouraged Cuba not to build its future on extreme capitalist ideas. In 1993, he and other Cuban bishops wrote a strong message called "El amor todo lo espera" ('Love endures all things'). This message was critical of the Cuban government and asked for new directions for the country. In 2010, he said that Cuba was facing a difficult time.
His Passing
Cardinal Ortega was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018. He passed away on July 26, 2019. Many services were held to honor his life, and his funeral took place at the Havana Cathedral on July 28. Important Cuban government officials attended his funeral. Religious leaders from other countries, including archbishops from Miami and Puerto Rico, also came. Cardinal Ortega was buried in the Colon Cemetery in Havana.
Awards and Honors
In 2004, Cardinal Ortega received the "Gran Cruz al Mérito Humanitario" award from an organization in Barcelona. He also received honorary degrees from many universities. These degrees are special awards given to people who have achieved great things. Some of the universities that honored him include the University of Saint Thomas, Fordham University, and Boston College.
See also
In Spanish: Jaime Ortega Alamino para niños
