VATICAN CITY, DEC. 3, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI sent a message of condolence to the Archdiocese of Naples, Italy, for the death of Cardinal Michele Giordano, a former archbishop of that see. He died Thursday at the age of 80.
In the message sent today to Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, archbishop of Naples, the Holy Father said that he learned of the death of Cardinal Giordano “with great sadness.”
“I wish to express to Your Eminence and to the entire diocesan community, as well as to the relatives of the late cardinal, my profound commiseration at your pain, while my thoughts turn affectionately to that dear brother who served the Gospel and the Church so generously,” the Pontiff said.
He added: “With gratitude to the Lord I recall his intense pastoral activity, first at Trursi-Lagonegro then at Matera-Irsina, and finally in the Archdiocese of Naples, and raise fervent prayers to God to welcome him in his peace. At the same time, upon those mourning his death, I impart the comfort of a heartfelt apostolic blessing.”
Michele Giordano was born in San Arcangelo, in the southern region of Basilicata, on Sept. 26, 1930. He was ordained a priest July 5, 1953.
He was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Matera in 1971, and led that same see beginning in 1974, which later became the Archdiocese of Materna-Irsina.
In 1987, he was named archbishop of Naples, and in 1988 was elevated to cardinal. Cardinal Giodano retired in May 2006.
With the death of Cardinal Giordano, the College of Cardinals has 201 members, 121 of whom are voters. There are 109 European cardinals, 21 from North America, 31 from Latin America, 17 from African, 19 from Asian and four from Oceania.
