Roman Catholic Cardinal. The eldest of nine children, José da Cruz Policarpo entered seminary in Santarém, passing later to those of Almada and Olivais. Pursuing his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he was ordained priest in Lisbon in August 1961. Long time rector of the Seminary of the Olivais between 1970 and 1997, he served as member of the teaching faculty of the Catholic University of Portugal from 1970 until 1986, being named through the years director of the faculty of theology and rector of the named University for two terms. Appointed auxiliary for the patriarchate of Lisbon, he received his episcopal consecration with the titular see of Caliabria on June 29, 1978 in Lisbon. Appointed coadjutor of of the patriarchate of Lisbon with right of succession on March 27, 1997, he succeeded as the sixteenth patriarch of Lisbon on March 24 of the following year following the death of Cardinal António Ribeiro. Named grand chancellor of the Catholic University of Portugal that same month, he was elected president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference in April 1999 and again in April 2002 and May 2011. Pope John Paul II created him cardinal priest with the title of Sant'Antonio in Campo Marzio in the consistory of February 21, 2001. Retiring from office in May 2013, the Cardinal was attending a retreat in Fátima but feeling indisposed returned to Lisbon, where he was soon recovered at the SAMS hospital, passing away shortly thereafter of aortic aneurysm after undergoing surgery.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. The eldest of nine children, José da Cruz Policarpo entered seminary in Santarém, passing later to those of Almada and Olivais. Pursuing his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, he was ordained priest in Lisbon in August 1961. Long time rector of the Seminary of the Olivais between 1970 and 1997, he served as member of the teaching faculty of the Catholic University of Portugal from 1970 until 1986, being named through the years director of the faculty of theology and rector of the named University for two terms. Appointed auxiliary for the patriarchate of Lisbon, he received his episcopal consecration with the titular see of Caliabria on June 29, 1978 in Lisbon. Appointed coadjutor of of the patriarchate of Lisbon with right of succession on March 27, 1997, he succeeded as the sixteenth patriarch of Lisbon on March 24 of the following year following the death of Cardinal António Ribeiro. Named grand chancellor of the Catholic University of Portugal that same month, he was elected president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference in April 1999 and again in April 2002 and May 2011. Pope John Paul II created him cardinal priest with the title of Sant'Antonio in Campo Marzio in the consistory of February 21, 2001. Retiring from office in May 2013, the Cardinal was attending a retreat in Fátima but feeling indisposed returned to Lisbon, where he was soon recovered at the SAMS hospital, passing away shortly thereafter of aortic aneurysm after undergoing surgery.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
Inscription
D. JOSÉ DA CRUZ POLICARPO
MCMXCVIII - MMXIII
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