The Deacon's Bench
This seems to be a trend. I also have to wonder if a man like this might be the next pope. It’s interesting to read his biography and learn that he’s actually a Cistercian monk and former abbot.
Despite having been carjacked twice and caught up in a gun battle over the last two years alone, Brazilian Cardinal Orani João Tempesta decided to spend his birthday on June 22 with the homeless of Rio de Janeiro, offering clothes, blankets, milk and coffee.
A Brazilian cardinal who seems almost bulletproof, having survived two robberies at gunpoint and a shootout between police and armed men in the last two years, proved June 22 that he’s also basically fearless by spending his birthday eve roaming the streets of Rio de Janeiro, celebrating it with the homeless.
Cardinal Orani João Tempesta, archbishop of Rio, which in 35 days will host the Olympic Games, celebrated his 66th birthday on June 23.
On the eve of the occasion, and “grateful to be able to celebrate another year of life,” he went out to Rio’s downtown area late at night carrying clothes, blankets, milk and coffee, offering them to some of the thousands who live in the streets, far from the lights and glamour of Copacabana, one of the world’s most famous beaches.
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According to a statement from the archdiocese, Tempesta was able “to learn up close about the reality of those who live and sleep on the streets.”
The communique, posted in the diocesan website along with some pictures, also said that with the initiative the cardinal was giving personal witness to the Holy Year of Mercy, inviting his flock to practice the corporal works of mercy, such as clothing the naked.
With this gesture, Tempesta chose to mark his birthday in a similar fashion to Pope Francis, who celebrated his 77th birthday by having breakfast with a group of Rome’s homeless (and their dog), and the following year instead of receiving gifts he gave them out, asking a group of volunteers to distribute sleeping bags among those who live in the streets of the Eternal City.
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Tempesta was appointed to Rio de Janeiro by Benedict XVI in 2009, and in 2014 Francis made him a cardinal.
Photos: Archdiocese of Rio website
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