Paul Poupard

Paul Joseph Jean Cardinal Poupard ( born August 30, 1930 in Bouzillé, France) is a retired cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.

Life

Paul Poupard studied at the Universities of Angers and Paris and a PhD in the fields of Catholic theology and church history. On 18 December 1954 he received the sacrament of Holy Orders. He then worked as a lecturer and scientist before he staff of the French department of the Vatican Secretariat of State was in 1959. From 1972 to 1980 he served as rector of the Catholic Institute in Paris.

1979 Pope John Paul II appointed him titular bishop of Usula and Auxiliary Bishop of Paris. He received his episcopal consecration on 6 April 1979, the then Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal François Marty. A year later he received the title of archbishop and was entrusted with leadership roles in the Secretariat for non- believers.

Cardinal

On May 25, 1985, he was picked up by John Paul II as a cardinal deacon with the title Diakonia Sant'Eugenio in the College of Cardinals. In the same year he took over the management of the Secretariat for Non- Believers as president. In 1988, he became president of the Pontifical Council for Cultural Affairs. He organized and led several global synods and conferences and acted as papal envoy to the Pope. He was elevated to cardinal priest with the titular church of Santa Prassede 1996.

Paul Poupard participated in the conclave of 2005, in which Benedict XVI. was chosen in part. This was confirmed after his election Poupard in his office and put him on 11 March 2006 in addition the office of President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.

On 24 May 2007, Cardinal Poupard by Pope Benedict XVI. appointed a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. On 25 June 2007, Pope Benedict XVI. his resignation from his post as president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and appointed Jean -Louis Cardinal Tauran as his successor. This step was effective September 1, 2007.

On 3 September 2007 Benedict XVI accepted. Poupards resignation from his post as president of the Pontifical Council for Culture and appointed Gianfranco Ravasi his successor in that office.

By reaching the age Cardinal Poupard did not participate in the conclave of 2013.

Writings

• Au coeur du Vatican. De Jean XXIII à Jean- Paul II, Perrin, Paris 2003, ISBN 2-262-02041-8
• Ce pape est un don de Dieu! Plon- Mame, Paris 2001, ISBN 2-259-19551-2
• Dictionnaire des religions. Presses universitaires, Paris, 1985, ISBN 2-13-038907-4.
• Why a Pope. From Peter to John Paul II (" Une pape pouquoi fair "). Publisher Boniface printing, Paderborn 1982, ISBN 3-87088-288-3