On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the eve of the Solemnity of St. Francis of Assisi, His Eminence, Cardinal Jorge Enrique JIMÉNEZ CARVAJAL, Archbishop emeritus of Cartagena, Colombia, was installed as the Cardinal-Priest of Santa Dorotea Church in the Trastevere district of Rome.
The new Titular received the cardinal’s biretta from Pope Francis during the consistory held August 27, 2022. He succeeds the late Cardinal Javier LOZANO BARRAGÁN.
Those present at the installation rite included His Eminence, Cardinal Baltazar Enrique PORRAS CARDOZO, Archbishop of Caracas, Venezuela; the Most Reverend Vittorio Francesco VIOLA, Secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship; Father Jean-Michel AMOURIAUX, Superior General of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary; Friar Renzo DEGNI, Guardian of the San Giacomo Friary in Rome; Friar Umberto FANFARILLO, Pastor of Santa Dorotea Church; and the friars of the local community.
With thirty priests concelebrating, Cardinal JIMÉNEZ CARVAJAL kissed the crucifix and sprinkled the faithful with holy water. Next, Father Cristiano ANTONIETTI, Master of Ceremonies for Vatican Papal Liturgies, read out the papal bull assigning the cardinal as the Titular of Santa Dorotea Church.
In his homily, Cardinal JIMÉNEZ CARVAJAL invited those present to follow the example of the saints, namely, St. Francis of Assisi, on the day of his transitus to heaven, St. John Eudes, founder of congregation to which the cardinal himself belongs, and St. Dorotea, martyr and titular of the church in Rome where her remains repose.
“These noble figures encourage us to follow in their footsteps, to face the daily challenges of today’s society and thus, following their example, to spread the evangelical message of the poor and humble Christ, as the saints themselves did, giving witness in the time in which they lived.”
At the conclusion of the celebration, the Master of Ceremonies read the minutes of the Cardinal’s taking possession, which were signed by all the dignitaries present. Next, a fraternal agape meal was served in the San Giacomo Friary.
Cardinal JIMÉNEZ CARVAJAL, 81, was ordained a priest in 1967. In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him Bishop of Zipaquirá, Colombia (1992-2004). From 1999 to 2003 he served as the secretary general of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) and from 1999 to 2003 he served as the president of CELAM. From 2004 to 2005 he served as Coadjutor Archbishop of Cartagena, Colombia, and from 2005 to 2021 he served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cartagena. On October 11, 2002, while on his way to celebrate Mass, he was kidnapped by guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in San Antonio de Aguilera, near Pacho, Colombia. After various appeals from political and religious authorities, he was freed a week later.
Friar Paolo FIASCONARO
