Echegaray, Roger

The future Cardinal Echegaray was born on September 25, 1922 , in Espeleta , diocese of Bayonne , France . Echagaray of Basque origin, although it is considered a French cardinal . At baptism received the name Roger-Marie-Ely .

Educated at the seminary of Ustaritsa, Bayonne , in the senior seminary , Bayonne, as well as at the Pontifical Gregorian University , in Rome .

He was ordained a priest on July 13, 1947 , in 2017 Cardinal Echegaray celebrated the 70th anniversary of his stay in the dignity. In 1947 - 1961, work in the Diocese of Bayonne - pastoral work, secretary of the bishop, general secretary of the pastoral work of the " Catholic Action ", general vicar of the diocese .

In 1961 - 1966 , secretary-adjunct of the episcopal conference of France . In 1965, Secretary of the Committee on Relations with the European Episcopal Conference . In 1966 - 1970, Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of France.

He was elected titular bishop of Gemella di Numidia and appointed auxiliary bishop of Paris from March 29, 1969 to December 22, 1970 . He was consecrated bishop on May 27, 1969 , in the Cathedral of Paris , Cardinal Francois Marty , Archbishop of Paris , assisted by Cardinal Paul Guillon , Archbishop of Rennes , and Vladislav Rubin (future Cardinal), titular Bishop of Sertus, General Secretary of the World Synod of Bishops . Pope Paul VI appointed to the archbishopric chair of Marseille , December 22, 1970 . Echegaray was the archbishop of Marseille in 1970 - 1985, for fifteen years. The first chairman of the European Episcopal Conference in 1971 - 1979 . For ten years, he chaired the episcopal conference of France in 1975 - 1985 . Prelate of the Mission of France from November 25, 1975 to April 23, 1982 .

Participant of numerous bishops' conferences and synods, both regional and worldwide. Active church figure.

Echegaray was elevated to cardinal priests with the title of Church of St. Leo I by Pope John Paul II at his first consistory of June 30, 1979 . Cardinal Echegaray was chairman of the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace in 1984 - 1998 , and chairman of the Pontifical Council of Cor Unum in 1984 - 1995 .

On June 24, 1998, he was appointed Cardinal Bishop of Porto Santa Rufina . One of the close cardinals of Pope John Paul II. He lost the right to participate in the Conclave in 2002 , after he reached 80 years of age.

In 2003, the Vatican opposed the American invasion of Iraq and sent Cardinal Echegaray as an envoy to persuade Washington to refrain from war.

He was elected vice dean of the College of Cardinals , after the election of Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 . Despite his age, he is actively involved in the work of the Curia and was an approximate pope of Benedict XVI.

He was a friend of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II . ^[four]

On August 7, 2007, Cardinal Echegaray met with His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia during his visit to Russia . At a meeting with reporters, Cardinal Echegaray spoke about a possible meeting between Alexy II and Benedict XVI:

Of course, one cannot help but think about this meeting. Both the Patriarch and the Pope are thinking about a meeting. We are moving towards this goal. The steps are speeding up, but we cannot force it. The meeting should be a meeting in truth, in sincerity, and not populist, and should take place when there are the best conditions for this. ^[five]

On December 9, 2008, together with Cardinals Casper and Glemp, he represented the delegation of the Holy See at the funeral of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II .

On November 26, 2008 , Cardinal Echegaray overtook Cardinal Giacomo Antonelli (long secretary of state of Pope Pius IX ) as the longest serving cardinal who had never participated in the Papal Conclave . (He reached eighty years and lost the right to participate in the Conclave to elect future popes in September 2002 ).

On December 24, 2009, Cardinal Echegaray was knocked down together with Pope Benedict XVI, when 25-year-old Suzanne Mayolo tried to grab Pope by the neck while passing the solemn procession through St. Peter's Basilica for Christmas Eve . The pontiff was not injured, but Echegaray’s hip was broken and he was placed in the Jemelle clinic. ^{[6] [7]}

On June 10, 2017, the Holy See Press Service announced that Pope Francis accepted the request submitted by Cardinal Roger Echegaray, Cardinal Bishop of the Suburbrican Diocese of Porto Santa Rufina , to relieve him of his position as Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals and approved the election of a new Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals performed by cardinals from the rank of bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Cardinal-Bishop of the Suburbic Diocese of Sabina-Poggio Mirteto . ^[eight]