José Saraiva Martins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Eminence José Saraiva Martins GCC |
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| Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints | |
Cardinal Saraiva Martins in January 2016
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| Church | Latin Church |
| Appointed | 30 May 1998 |
| Reign ended | 9 July 2008 |
| Predecessor | Alberto Bovone |
| Successor | Angelo Amato |
| Other posts | Cardinal-Bishop of Palestrina |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 16 March 1957 |
| Consecration | 2 July 1988 by Agostino Casaroli |
| Created Cardinal | 21 February 2001 |
| Rank | Cardinal-Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 January 1932 Gagos de Jarmelo, Guarda, Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Previous post |
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| Motto | Veritas in charitate (Truth in charity) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of José Saraiva Martins |
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| Reference style | His Eminence |
| Spoken style | Your Eminence |
| Informal style | Cardinal |
| See | Palestrina (titular see) |
José Saraiva Martins is a Portuguese Cardinal in the Catholic Church. He was born on January 6, 1932. From 1998 to 2008, he led a special group called the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This group helps decide who becomes a saint in the Catholic Church.
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Early Life and Education
José Saraiva Martins was born in a place called Gagos de Jarmelo in Guarda, Portugal. His parents were Antonio and Maria Saraiva. When he was young, he joined a religious group known as the Claretians. He made his promises to this group on August 22, 1950.
He became a priest on March 16, 1957. He studied theology at important universities in Rome. He earned advanced degrees in this field.
Teaching and Leadership Roles
After his studies, Saraiva Martins taught for a year in Italy. In 1959, he began teaching at the Roman Claretianum. He taught about important religious topics for ten years.
Later, he became the rector (which is like a president) of the Pontifical Urbaniana University. He held this leadership role for three terms between 1977 and 1988.
Important Church Roles
On May 26, 1988, José Saraiva Martins was given a new role. He became the Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education. This group helps guide Catholic schools and universities. At the same time, he was named an archbishop.
He officially became a bishop on July 2, 1988. This special ceremony is called an episcopal consecration.
Leading the Saints' Causes
On May 30, 1998, he was chosen to lead the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. This is a very important job. It means he was in charge of the process for deciding if someone should be recognized as a saint.
Pope John Paul II made him a Cardinal Deacon on February 21, 2001. Cardinals are high-ranking officials in the Catholic Church.
Papal Conclaves and Retirement
When Pope John Paul II passed away in 2005, Cardinal Saraiva Martins, like other major Vatican officials, lost his position. However, he was one of the cardinals who voted in the 2005 papal conclave. This was the meeting where Pope Benedict XVI was chosen. Pope Benedict XVI then confirmed him in his role as Prefect.
On July 9, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI accepted his retirement from leading the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Angelo Amato took over his role. On February 24, 2009, he was given the higher rank of cardinal bishop.
Cardinal Saraiva Martins continued to work on the case for José Sánchez del Río. This was a 14-year-old Mexican boy who died for his faith. Cardinal Martins had led the ceremony to declare the boy "blessed" in Mexico City. José Sánchez del Río was later declared a saint by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016.
In Spanish: José Saraiva Martins para niños
