Henri Schwery

Henri Cardinal Schwery ( born June 14, 1932 in Saint- Léonard, Switzerland ) is a retired bishop of the Diocese of Sion.

Life

Henri Schwery studied in Sion, Rome and Freiburg in mathematics, theoretical physics, Catholic theology and philosophy. On July 7, 1957, he received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. After further studies, he worked in the years 1961 to 1977 as an assistant chaplain in the Diocese of Sion. From 1958 to 1966 he was student chaplain for the students of Catholic Action, 1961-1977 Professor at the cantonal secondary school in Sion, which he headed from 1972 to 1977 as rector.

Pope Paul VI. appointed Henri Schwery 1977 the bishop of Sion. He received his episcopal consecration on September 17, 1977 his predecessor, François- Nestor Adam; Co-consecrators were the Bishop of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg, Pierre Mamie, and the Bishop of St. Gallen, Otmar Mäder.

From 1983 to 1988 he was chairman of the Swiss Bishops' Conference. Pope John Paul II took him on 28 June 1991 as cardinal priest with the titular church of Santi Protomartiri a Via Aurelia Antica to the College of Cardinals. The management of the diocese of Sion, he stepped down for health reasons on 1 April 1995. Schwery was a participant at the conclave in 2005, from Benedict XVI. emerged as the Pope.

He was, until 2007, Grand Prior of the Swiss Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy grave in Jerusalem. In addition, he was up to the attainment of the age limit of 75 years a member of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

At Conclave 2013 Cardinal Schwery did not participate because he had the age limit of 80 years already passed.