- Oswald Gracias
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His Eminence
Oswald GraciasCardinal Archbishop of Bombay 
See Bombay Enthroned 14 October 2006 – present
(5 years, 40 days)Predecessor Ivan Dias Successor incumbent Other posts Previously Archbishop of Agra Orders Created Cardinal 24 November 2007 Personal details Born 24 December 1944
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British IndiaStyles of
Oswald Gracias
Reference style His Eminence Spoken style Your Eminence Informal style Cardinal See Bombay Oswald Gracias (born 24 December 1944) is a Goan Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He serves as Archbishop of Bombay, having been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 14 October 2006, and was raised to the cardinalate in 2007. In 2010, he was elected as the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (having been the vice-president from 2008).[1]
Contents
Biography
Early life and ordination
Gracias was born in Bombay (modern-day Mumbai) to Jervis and Aduzinda Gracias (a native of Orlim, Goa). He recognizes himself as a Goan Catholic. He completed his school studies at St. Michael’s School in Mahim and joined college at the Jesuit run St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. After a year, he entered the Seminary of St. Pius X in Bombay, where he studied philosophy and theology. Gracias was ordained to the priesthood by Valerian Gracias (no relation) on 20 December 1970.[2] From 1971 to 1976, he served as Chancellor and secretary to Bishop Joseph Rodericks, SJ, of Jamshedpur.[2]
Diocesan work
Gracias then furthered his studies at Rome, attending the Pontifical Urbaniana University from 1976 to 1982; he obtained a doctorate in canon law, a diploma in jurisprudence. Upon his return to Bombay, he was named chancellor, judge of the metropolitan tribunal, and judicial vicar. From 1982, he was the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Mumbai, and from 1988 he was the judicial vicar for the Archdiocese.[2] In 1991, Gracias was made archdiocesan consultor. He also served as a visiting professor to the seminaries of Bombay, Poona, and Bangalore, as well as serving as President of the Canon Law Society of India.
Bishop and Archbishop
On 28 June 1997, Gracias was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay and Titular Bishop of Bladia by Pope John Paul II.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on the following 16 September from Archbishop Ivan Dias, with Bishops Ferdinand Fonseca and Bosco Penha serving as co-consecrators. Gracias was later named Archbishop of Agra on 7 September 2000, and Archbishop of Bombay on 14 October 2006. He also served as Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), and is currently the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishop in India(Latin rite)
Cardinal
On 17 October 2007, Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would elevate Gracias and twenty-two other prelates to the College of Cardinals. At the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica on 24 November 2007, he was created Cardinal-Priest of S. Paolo della Croce a "Corviale".
On 20 February 2008 Cardinal Gracias was elected 1st Vice President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India(CBCI) of which had earlier served as Secretary General.
Like all cardinals, Gracias is a member of various offices of the Roman Curia, and is invited to attend their plenary meetings, which in principle are held every year. Appointments are for five years and are renewable. In May 2008 Pope Benedict named him a member of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts and, on 6 July 2010, of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.[3] Cardinal Oswald Gracias elected Secretary General FABC
Cardinal Oswald Gracias elected Secretary General FABC Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India was elected FABC Secretary General by the Presidents of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. The FABC is an apex body representing 19 Bishop's Conferences comprising 28 of their Asian member countries like the other Bishops' Conferences of South America, Europe, Africa and Oceania. The Federation coordinates the work of the Church in these countries and represents Asia before the Vatican and Government authorities. The Central Secretariat is located in Hong Kong and is the principal service agency of FABC, and an instrument of co-ordination both within FABC and with outside offices and agencies in countries all through Asia.[4]
Arms
Arms of Oswald GraciasNotes The coat of arms was designed and adopted when he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay.
Adopted 16 September 1997Escutcheon Washing of the feet, Letter M, Scales of Justice and HandshakeMotto To Reconcile All Things in ChristSymbolism Washing of the feet: symbolizes a commitment to service;
Letter M: Represents devotion to Mary;
Scales of Justice: Church Law. His field of specialization;
Hand shake: stands for reconciliation and building bridges of communionReferences
- ^ "CBCI Elects Cardinal Oswald Gracias as New President". Daijiworld Media. 4 March 2010. http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=73247&n_tit=CBCI+Elects+Cardinal+Oswald+Gracias+as+New+President. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Quicktakes: Bishop of Mumbai". The Indian Express (Indian Express Group). 27 July 1997. http://www.indianexpress.com/res/web/pIe/ie/daily/19970727/20850143.html. Retrieved 10 March 2010.
- ^ Press Office of the Holy See
- ^ [http://archdioceseofbombay.org/Administration/The Bishops/Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias
External links
- Archdiocese of Bombay
- Bio-data of Archbishop Oswald Gracias of Bombay Named Cardinal on Oct 17, 2007
- Bio of Cardinal Gracias
Preceded by
Ivan DiasArchbishop of Bombay
14 October 2006 – presentSucceeded by
incumbentCategories:- 1944 births
- 20th-century Roman Catholic bishops
- 21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops
- Living people
- Indian Roman Catholic archbishops
- Alumni of the Pontifical Urbaniana University
- Indian cardinals
- People from Mumbai
- People from Goa
- Cardinals created by Pope Benedict XVI
- Members of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
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