Francis Effect? Cardinal spends birthday with the homeless

Last updated on: July 1, 2016 at 4:30 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Francis Effect? Cardinal spends birthday with the homeless 2016-07-01T16:30:48-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This seems to be a trend. I also have to wonder if a man like this might be the next pope. It’s interesting to read his biography and learn that he’s actually a Cistercian monk and former abbot.

Details:

Despite having been carjacked twice and caught up in a gun battle over the last two years alone, Brazilian Cardinal Orani João Tempesta decided to spend his birthday on June 22 with the homeless of Rio de Janeiro, offering clothes, blankets, milk and coffee.

A Brazilian cardinal who seems almost bulletproof, having survived two robberies at gunpoint and a shootout between police and armed men in the last two years, proved June 22 that he’s also basically fearless by spending his birthday eve roaming the streets of Rio de Janeiro, celebrating it with the homeless.

Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, archbishop of Rio, which in 35 days will host the Olympic Games, celebrated his 66th birthday on June 23.

On the eve of the occasion, and “grateful to be able to celebrate another year of life,” he went out to Rio’s downtown area late at night carrying clothes, blankets, milk and coffee, offering them to some of the thousands who live in the streets, far from the lights and glamour of Copacabana, one of the world’s most famous beaches.

[img attachment=”110244″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=”Cardeal_Tempesta_com_irmos_de_rua_aniversrio_1_23062016113357″ /]

According to a statement from the archdiocese, Tempesta was able “to learn up close about the reality of those who live and sleep on the streets.”

The communique, posted in the diocesan website along with some pictures, also said that with the initiative the cardinal was giving personal witness to the Holy Year of Mercy, inviting his flock to practice the corporal works of mercy, such as clothing the naked.

With this gesture, Tempesta chose to mark his birthday in a similar fashion to Pope Francis, who celebrated his 77th birthday by having breakfast with a group of Rome’s homeless (and their dog), and the following year instead of receiving gifts he gave them out, asking a group of volunteers to distribute sleeping bags among those who live in the streets of the Eternal City.

[img attachment=”110245″ align=”aligncenter” size=”full” alt=” ” caption=”/]

Tempesta was appointed to Rio de Janeiro by Benedict XVI in 2009, and in 2014 Francis made him a cardinal.

Read it all.

Photos: Archdiocese of Rio website

Uncategorized

Previous Post

July 1, 2016

Mel Gibson's next movie is about sacrifice, heroism—and faith

Next Post

July 2, 2016 If you're shocked by what the pope says, consider this...

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism education Education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized Vatican VATICAN vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Nehemiah was a cupbearer to King Nebuchadnezzar.

Select your answer to see how you score.

TRUE FALSE

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »