Pope condoles the death of Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales

July 10, 2012: Pope Benedict XVI has condoled the death of Emeritus cardinal Eugenio Araujo Sales, retired archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who died on early Tuesday.

The 91 year old prelate was the longest-serving Cardinal in the Church, having been given the red hat by Pope Paul VI on April 28, 1969. He served as Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro for 30 years, and retired in 2001.

Appreciating his long years of pastoral care, the Pontiff said that he was truly a ‘generous shepherd’ and a witness to the gospel of Christ.

During the Second Vatican Council, he was a member of the Commission for the apostolate of the laity and the Joint Committee, which devised the scheme of Gaudium et Spes. He was also the President Delegate to the Special Assembly for America of the Synod of Bishops in 1997.

With his passing away, only two cardinals created by Pope Paul VI remain alive. They are
Brazilian Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns and William Wakefield Baum of the United States. There are now 9 Brazilian Cardinals.

Presently the College of Cardinals is composed of 208 cardinals, of which 121 are eligible to vote and 87 are octogenarians.

Cardinal Eugenio de Araujo Sales, was born in Acari, Caicó diocese on 8 November 1920. After his classical studies, he entered the seminary. Ordained priest 21 November 1943, has ministered in rural areas. Later, he was called to the Seminary of Natal to fill the posts of treasurer, professor and spiritual director.

He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Natal by Pope Pius XII, in 1954. In October 1962 he was appointed Apostolic administrator of Natal. While in office he founded the service of social assistance for rural workers, for whom he also created centers for basic education, and initiated in radio for primary and middle school boys who could not reach the city's schools and various centers. He became Archbishop on 29 October 1968. He took many new pastoral initiatives and has worked for social advancement of the poorer segments of the population, including as President of the Brazilian National Secretariat for Social Action.