Odilo Scherer
Encyclopedia
Odilo Pedro Scherer is a Brazil
ian Cardinal
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He currently serves as Archbishop of São Paulo
, and was elevated to the cardinalate
in 2007.
, was born in Cerro Largo, Rio Grande do Sul
, to Edwino and Francisca (née Steffens) Scherer, and is a distant relative of the late Cardinal Archbishop of Porto Alegre
Alfredo Scherer
. His mother was descended from German
immigrants
from Saarland
.
After attending the minor
and major seminaries
in Curitiba
, Scherer studied at the Pontifical Catholic University
of Paraná
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
(from where he obtained his Doctorate of Sacred Theology
in 1991) in Rome
. He was ordained
to the priesthood
by Archbishop Armando Círio
, OSI
, on December 7, 1976.
at the diocesan
seminary of Cascavel
(1977–1978), the diocesan seminary of Toledo
(1979–1982, 1993), and the Centro Interdiocesano de Teologia de Cascavel (1991–1993).
Before doing pastoral
work in Toledo from 1985 to 1988, Scherer taught philosophy
at the Ciências Humanas Arnaldo Busatto (1980–1985), and theology
at the Instituto Teológico Paulo VI (1985). He then taught at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná until 1994.
From 1994 to 2001, he was an official of the Congregation for Bishops
in the Roman Curia
, while serving as a Roman pastor
and chaplain
during his spare time.
of São Paulo
and Titular Bishop
of Novi. He received his episcopal consecration
on February 2, 2002 from Cardinal Cláudio Hummes
, OFM
, with Archbishops Armando Círio and Anuar Battisti serving as co-consecrators
. He was made Secretary General of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference
in 2003.
named Scherer as the seventh Archbishop of São Paulo
on March 21, 2007. He replaced Cardinal Hummes, who was made Prefect
of the Congregation for the Clergy
, and thus brought an end to almost four decades of Franciscan
leadership of the archdiocese before Hummes. Paulo Evaristo Arns
, had helmed it for 28 years. The Brazilian prelate accompanied Pope Benedict for a great part of his visit to Brazil in May 2007, which was largely held in the former's see
of São Paulo
, also delivering a speech during a ceremony to celebrate the Pope's arrival.
On 17 October 2007, the Pope announced that he would make Scherer a Cardinal
. Scherer was elevated to the College of Cardinals
in the consistory
at St. Peter's Basilica
on 24 November 2007, becoming Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
.
On 12 June 2008, in addition to his main duties he was appointed by Benedict as a member of the Congregation for the Clergy
. On 5 January 2011 he was appointed among the first members of the newly created Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation
.
He is considered by some to be papabile
and is considered by many to be the top candidate to become the successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
's use of "Marxism
as a tool of analysis," yet supported its focus on social injustice
and poverty
.
, Scherer stated that, "Priests aren't showmen... The Mass
is not to be transformed into a show".
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He currently serves as Archbishop of São Paulo
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Paulo
The Archdiocese of São Paulo is a major see in the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil. The Diocese of São Paulo was erected by Pope Benedict XIV on 6 December 1745. It became an Archdiocese on 7 June 1908...
, and was elevated to the cardinalate
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
in 2007.
Early life and ordination
Scherer, a German-BrazilianGerman-Brazilian
A German Brazilian is a Brazilian person of ethnic German ancestry or origin...
, was born in Cerro Largo, Rio Grande do Sul
Cerro Largo, Rio Grande do Sul
Cerro Largo is a municipality in the northwestern part of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. It occupies an area of 174.64 km² at 28º09'0" south 54º45'0" west, at an altitude of 211 m above sealevel. Its population was 12,350 inhabitants...
, to Edwino and Francisca (née Steffens) Scherer, and is a distant relative of the late Cardinal Archbishop of Porto Alegre
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Porto Alegre
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Porto Alegre is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil. It was erected as the Diocese of São Pedro do Rio Grande by Pope Pius IX on May 7, 1848, and elevated to the rank of a metropolitan archdiocese by Pope Pius...
Alfredo Scherer
Alfredo Scherer
Alfredo Vicente Scherer was a German-Brazilian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Porto Alegre from 1946 to 1996, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1969.-Biography:...
. His mother was descended from German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
immigrants
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
from Saarland
Saarland
Saarland is one of the sixteen states of Germany. The capital is Saarbrücken. It has an area of 2570 km² and 1,045,000 inhabitants. In both area and population, it is the smallest state in Germany other than the city-states...
.
After attending the minor
Minor seminary
A minor seminary is a secondary boarding school created for the specific purpose of enrolling teenage boys who have expressed interest in becoming priests. They are generally Roman Catholic institutions, and designed to prepare boys both academically and spiritually for vocations to the priesthood...
and major seminaries
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in Curitiba
Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
, Scherer studied at the Pontifical Catholic University
Pontifícia Universidade Católica
Pontifícia Universidade Católica may refer to:* Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro* Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo* Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas* Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais...
of Paraná
Paraná (state)
Paraná is one of the states of Brazil, located in the South of the country, bordered on the north by São Paulo state, on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Santa Catarina state and the Misiones Province of Argentina, and on the west by Mato Grosso do Sul and the republic of Paraguay,...
and the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
(from where he obtained his Doctorate of Sacred Theology
Doctor of Sacred Theology
The Doctor of Sacred Theology is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church....
in 1991) in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
by Archbishop Armando Círio
Armando Círio
Armando Círio, O.S.I. is a Brazilian bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently one of oldest bishop in the Catholic Church and one of oldest Brazilian bishops....
, OSI
Oblates of St. Joseph
The Oblates of St. Joseph is a Catholic religious order founded in 1878 by St. Joseph Marello. In 1999 their Shrine of Saint Joseph the Guardian of the Redeemer was named after the Apostolic exhortation Redemptoris Custos.-External links:* *...
, on December 7, 1976.
Professor and curialist
He served as director and professorProfessor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
at the diocesan
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
seminary of Cascavel
Cascavel
Cascavel is a city and municipality in western Paraná state, Brazil. The population is 296.975 inhabitants.The city is on a plateau 781 meters above sea level...
(1977–1978), the diocesan seminary of Toledo
Toledo, Paraná
The city of Toledo is located in the Western region of Paraná state, a state located in the south of Brazil.The city is bordered by the following towns/cities:* North: Maripá e Nova Santa Rosa;* South: Santa Tereza do Oeste e São Pedro do Iguaçu;...
(1979–1982, 1993), and the Centro Interdiocesano de Teologia de Cascavel (1991–1993).
Before doing pastoral
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
work in Toledo from 1985 to 1988, Scherer taught philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
at the Ciências Humanas Arnaldo Busatto (1980–1985), and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the Instituto Teológico Paulo VI (1985). He then taught at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná until 1994.
From 1994 to 2001, he was an official of the Congregation for Bishops
Congregation for Bishops
The Congregation for Bishops is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the selection of new bishops that are not in mission territories or those areas that come under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches who deal with the Eastern Catholics, pending papal...
in the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
, while serving as a Roman pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
during his spare time.
Bishop and Archbishop
On November 28, 2001, Scherer was appointed Auxiliary BishopAuxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of São Paulo
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Paulo
The Archdiocese of São Paulo is a major see in the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil. The Diocese of São Paulo was erected by Pope Benedict XIV on 6 December 1745. It became an Archdiocese on 7 June 1908...
and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Novi. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on February 2, 2002 from Cardinal Cláudio Hummes
Cláudio Hummes
Cláudio Hummes, OFM is a Brazilian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy in the Roman Curia , having previously served as Archbishop of Fortaleza from 1996 to 1998 and archbishop of São Paulo from 1998 to 2006...
, OFM
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
, with Archbishops Armando Círio and Anuar Battisti serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. He was made Secretary General of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference
Episcopal Conference
In the Roman Catholic Church, an Episcopal Conference, Conference of Bishops, or National Conference of Bishops is an official assembly of all the bishops of a given territory...
in 2003.
Cardinal
Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
named Scherer as the seventh Archbishop of São Paulo
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Paulo
The Archdiocese of São Paulo is a major see in the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil. The Diocese of São Paulo was erected by Pope Benedict XIV on 6 December 1745. It became an Archdiocese on 7 June 1908...
on March 21, 2007. He replaced Cardinal Hummes, who was made Prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of the Congregation for the Clergy
Congregation for the Clergy
The Sacred Congregation for the Clergy is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders...
, and thus brought an end to almost four decades of Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
leadership of the archdiocese before Hummes. Paulo Evaristo Arns
Paulo Evaristo Arns
Paulo Evaristo Arns O.F.M. is the Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of São Paulo.-Early life and education:...
, had helmed it for 28 years. The Brazilian prelate accompanied Pope Benedict for a great part of his visit to Brazil in May 2007, which was largely held in the former's see
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
, also delivering a speech during a ceremony to celebrate the Pope's arrival.
On 17 October 2007, the Pope announced that he would make Scherer a Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
. Scherer was elevated to the College of Cardinals
College of Cardinals
The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church.A function of the college is to advise the pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory. It also convenes on the death or abdication of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor...
in the consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
at St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
on 24 November 2007, becoming Cardinal-Priest of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
The Church of Saint Andrew's at the Quirinal is a Roman Catholic titular church in Rome, built for of the Jesuit seminary on the Quirinal Hill....
.
On 12 June 2008, in addition to his main duties he was appointed by Benedict as a member of the Congregation for the Clergy
Congregation for the Clergy
The Sacred Congregation for the Clergy is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for overseeing matters regarding priests and deacons not belonging to religious orders...
. On 5 January 2011 he was appointed among the first members of the newly created Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation
Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation
The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization is a dicastery of the Roman Curia whose creation was announced by Pope Benedict XVI at vespers on 28 June 2010, eve of the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul...
.
He is considered by some to be papabile
Papabile
Papabile is an unofficial Italian term first coined by Vaticanologists and now used internationally in many languages to describe a cardinal of whom it is thought likely or possible that he will be elected pope. A literal English translation would be "popeable" or "one who might become pope".In...
and is considered by many to be the top candidate to become the successor to Pope Benedict XVI.
Evangelization
According to a July 23, 2010 article by the website of the Catholic news organization ZENIT, Cardinal Scherer thinks there is an "evangelization deficit" around the globe today, which is why Pope Benedict established a new division of the Roman Curia to deal with that issue. Cardinal Scherer was quoted in the article as saying that the Pope "brings all to understand that this [new evangelization] is an objective of his, and that it must be the attitude of the Church worldwide, to respond to the challenges launched by the present 'change of age in the history of humanity.'"Abortion
Cardinal Scherer asked Brazilians that if the country’s Supreme Court legalizes abortion for babies with anencephaly, what will be the next group ‘incompatible with life’ to be eliminated ?Liberation theology
He once criticized liberation theologyLiberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
's use of "Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
as a tool of analysis," yet supported its focus on social injustice
Social injustice
Social injustice is a concept relating to the claimed unfairness or injustice of a society in its divisions of rewards and burdens and other incidental inequalities...
and poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
.
Secularism in Brazil
Cardinal Scherer has argued that removing crucifixes in public places would not be in the best interests of Brazilian secularism.Priests and the liturgy
In reference to the popular Brazilian priest Marcelo RossiMarcelo Rossi
Marcelo Mendonça Rossi is a Brazilian Catholic priest widely known and popular in the country for his novel approaches to ministering to the faithful...
, Scherer stated that, "Priests aren't showmen... The Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
is not to be transformed into a show".