Jaime Cardinal Ortega: Wise and Prudent
An age-old Christian Christmas appeal asks God for “the prudence that makes us truly wise" (Cf. Christmas Novena: Aspirations of the Coming of the Christ Child (Los Gozos)). It is this prudence and wisdom that perfectly define the mood, personality,...
Priest
He was born in Jagüey Grande, Province of Matanzas, on October 18, 1936. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Letters in 1955 and, after a year of university studies, he entered the San Alberto Magno Diocesan Seminary, governed by the Fathers of The Foreign Missions of Quebec, in the year 1956. After the first four years of studies in humanities and philosophy, he was sent by his bishop to the Foreign Missions Seminar in Montreal, Canada, where he studied theology.
Bishop of Pinar del Río
On December 7, 1978, he was named Bishop of Pinar del Río by His Holiness Pope Saint John Paul II. He was consecrated on January 14, 1979, in the Cathedral of Matanzas and on January 21 he took possession of the Diocese. Here he found a diocese of great Catholic religiosity, with a very committed and participative laity, which he promoted.
Arcbishop of Havana
He was promoted in 1981 to the Archdiocese of Havana as Archbishop, on December 27 he took possession of his new headquarters. His service as Archbishop of Havana owes the creation of several parishes, the constitution of the Diocesan Pastoral Council, the diocesan Council of laity, which brings together the different movements of the Archdiocese, the reconstruction of more than fifty churches and parish houses…
Cardinal of the Church
He was created Cardinal by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the Consistory of November 26, 1994. As part of this service to the Church, he is also Pastor of the community of Aquila and Priscilla in Rome. He was received as Cardinal in the S.M.I. Cathedral of Havana on December 11, 1994.