The New Spain, digital edition. culture and society. EFE
EFE Pope Francis has named Carlos Osoro new archbishop of Madrid today, after accepting the resignation of Antonio María Rouco Varela, while Cardinal Antonio Cañizares will leave the Vatican to be Archbishop of Valencia.
The new archbishop of Madrid, and former Archbishop of Oviedo, He is known for his dialogue and moderate nature, for his defense of the closeness of the Church to families, and for his courage when referring to sensitive questions about the institution's problems.
Some believe that he has a profile similar to that of the pontiff, who even has a certain physical resemblance. Osoro moves to Madrid after spending five years in the Valencian archdiocese, to which he arrived after being archbishop of Oviedo from 2002.
His substitute in Valencia will be Cañizares, Former Archbishop of Toledo and currently Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, “ministry” Vatican for which he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.
Valencian of Utiel, born in 1945, Cañizares went to the Vatican after losing the elections to preside over the Episcopal Conference in 2005 against Ricardo Blázquez.
Likewise, Rouco Varela ceases to be archbishop of Madrid after a few months ago he said goodbye to the presidency of the Episcopal Conference, after a long life of service gives the Church.
This Galician, Born in the Lugo town of Villalba, make 78 years, has dedicated almost 20 of them at the service of the Archdiocese of Madrid, from the 24 October 1994, when John Paul II appointed him archbishop.
The prelate, Known for vehemently defending the rejection of gay marriage and abortion before governments of the left and right, He will remain cardinal and will also become Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid.
For his part, Cañizares returns to Spain from Rome concerned about the unity of both the Church and the country, who faces, in his opinion, a “decisive problems” and is affected “by a severe economic crisis that underlies another moral and human”.
In a letter addressed to the Archdiocese of Valencia, has promised to wear “at the service of public affairs, of the common good in Valencia and Spain”.
In reference to his predecessor in office, Osoro, has asked that “God pay him everything as only he knows how to do it, to help you in your ministry and to protect and abundantly bless your new and beloved diocese of Madrid”.
The new archbishop of Madrid has confessed that he was afraid when he received the news of his appointment because, although it carries “a lifetime with suitcases, you feel afraid of a new place” Y “to something big”.
At press conference, Osoro thanked the Pope for the faith he has placed in him and has assured that he will deliver to the Matritense headquarters what Francis has asked them to contribute to the church: “delivery and announcement of the Lord with life, not only with words”.
He has assured that he will arrive in the capital with the clothes he has, many books for “continue working, studying and announcing the gospel”, Y “very few euros in the account”.
