Jump to content

Audrys Bačkis: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(5 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Lithuanian prelate}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{BLP sources|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = cardinal
| type = cardinal
Line 23: Line 24:
| quashed =
| quashed =
| term_end = 5 April 2013
| term_end = 5 April 2013
| predecessor = [[Julijonas Steponavicius]]
| predecessor = [[Julijonas Steponavičius]]
| opposed =
| opposed =
| successor = [[Gintaras Grušas]]
| successor = [[Gintaras Grušas]]
Line 64: Line 65:
| offstyle=Your Eminence|image=Coat of arms of Audrys Juozas Backis.svg
| offstyle=Your Eminence|image=Coat of arms of Audrys Juozas Backis.svg
| See=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Vilnius]] (emeritus) |}}
| See=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Vilnius]] (emeritus) |}}
'''Audrys Juozas Bačkis'''{{Pronunciation needed|date=June 2023}}<!-- as IPA --> (born 1 February 1937) is a Lithuanian prelate of the [[Catholic Church]], a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] since 2001. He worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 1964 to 1991, when he became Archbishop of Vilnius. He retired in 2013.
'''Audrys Juozas Bačkis'''{{Pronunciation needed|date=June 2023}}<!-- as IPA --> (born 1 February 1937) is a Lithuanian prelate of the [[Catholic Church]] and a [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|cardinal]] since 2001.<ref name=FIU>{{cite web |url= https://cardinals.fiu.edu/bios2001.htm |title= Biographical Dictionary of John Paul II (1978-2005), Consistory of February 21, 2001 (VIII) |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website= Florida International University website, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church section |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> He worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 1964 to 1991, when he became Archbishop of Vilnius. He retired in 2013.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Bačkis was born in [[Kaunas]] to the family of [[Stasys Antanas Bačkis]], a Lithuanian diplomat. In 1938 Bačkis' father was assigned to Paris where the family stayed after the [[Occupation of Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] in June 1940. He completed his secondary education at the Institute Saint-Marie-de-Monceau, and studied philosophy at the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]].
Bačkis was born in [[Kaunas]] to the family of [[Stasys Antanas Bačkis]], a Lithuanian diplomat. In 1938 Bačkis' father was assigned to Paris where the family stayed after the [[Occupation of Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] in June 1940.<ref name=LBC>[https://lvk.lcn.lt/en/nariai/emeritai/backis.html Lithuanian Bishops' Conference website, ''Cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis'']</ref> He completed his secondary education at the Institute Saint-Marie-de-Monceau, and studied philosophy at the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in [[Issy-les-Moulineaux]].


Bačkis studied at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]], [[Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy]], and [[Pontifical Lateran University]], there Bačkis obtained his [[Doctor of Canon Law|doctorate in canon law]]. Bačkis was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] to the priesthood by [[Luigi Traglia]] on 18 March 1961, in Rome. He then did [[Parish (Catholic Church)|pastoral]] work among [[Lithuanian Americans]] in the United States, and finished his studies in Rome in 1964.
Bačkis studied at the [[Pontifical Gregorian University]], [[Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy]], and [[Pontifical Lateran University]], there Bačkis obtained his [[Doctor of Canon Law|doctorate in canon law]]. Bačkis was [[Holy Orders|ordained]] to the priesthood by [[Luigi Traglia]] on 18 March 1961, in Rome. He then did [[Parish (Catholic Church)|pastoral]] work among [[Lithuanian Americans]] in the United States, and finished his studies in Rome in 1964.


==Service==
==Service==
In 1964 he entered the [[Diplomacy|diplomatic service]] of the [[Holy See]], serving as secretary of the [[Nuncio|nunciature]] to the Philippines (1964–1965), to Costa Rica (1965–1967), to Turkey (1967–1970), and to Nigeria (1970–1973). Bačkis was raised to the rank of [[Monsignor|Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness]] on 26 June 1965, and was called to the Council of Public Affairs of the Church in the [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]] in 1973. He was the Vatican's delegate to the United Nations Conference in [[Vienna]] in 1975, and became Vice-Secretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church in 1979.
In 1964 he entered the [[Diplomacy|diplomatic service]] of the [[Holy See]],<ref name=TI>[https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/audrys-juozas-backis/ Treccani website, ''Audrys Juozas Bačkis'']</ref> serving as secretary of the [[Nuncio|nunciature]] to the Philippines (1964–1965), to Costa Rica (1965–1967), to Turkey (1967–1970), and to Nigeria (1970–1973). Bačkis was raised to the rank of [[Monsignor|Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness]] on 26 June 1965, and was called to the Council of Public Affairs of the Church in the [[Secretariat of State (Holy See)|Secretariat of State]] in 1973.<ref name=LBC /> He was the Vatican's delegate to the United Nations Conference in [[Vienna]] in 1975, and became Vice-Secretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church in 1979.


On 5 August 1988, Bačkis was appointed [[Pro-Nuncio]] to the Netherlands and [[Titular bishop|Titular Archbishop]] of Meta by [[Pope John Paul II]]. He received his [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|episcopal consecration]] on the following 4 October from Pope John Paul himself, with Cardinal [[Achille Silvestrini]] and Bishop Juozas Preikšas serving as [[Consecrator|co-consecrators]], in [[St. Peter's Basilica]].
On 5 August 1988, Bačkis was appointed [[Pro-Nuncio]] to the Netherlands and [[Titular bishop|Titular Archbishop]] of Meta by [[Pope John Paul II]].<ref name=VP>[https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_backis_aj.html Vatican Press, ''Bačkis Card. Audrys Juozas'']</ref> He received his [[Bishop (Catholic Church)|episcopal consecration]] on the following 4 October from Pope John Paul himself, with Cardinal [[Achille Silvestrini]] and Bishop Juozas Preikšas serving as [[Consecrator|co-consecrators]], in [[St. Peter's Basilica]].


He was named [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Archbishop of Vilnius]] on 24 December 1991.
He was named [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Archbishop of Vilnius]]<ref name=TI /> on 24 December 1991.


John Paul II created him [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal Priest]] of [[Natività di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo a Via Gallia]] in the [[Papal consistory|consistory]] of 21 February 2001. Bačkis was one of the [[Cardinal electors in Papal conclave, 2005|cardinal electors]] who participated in the [[Papal conclave, 2005|2005 papal conclave]] that selected [[Pope Benedict XVI]] as well as in the one in [[Papal conclave, 2013|2013]] which selected [[Pope Francis]]. Since having reached the age of 80, Bačkis is no longer eligible to vote in any future conclaves.
John Paul II created him [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal Priest]] of [[Natività di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo a Via Gallia]] in the [[Papal consistory|consistory]] of 21 February 2001. Bačkis was one of the [[Cardinal electors in Papal conclave, 2005|cardinal electors]] who participated in the [[Papal conclave, 2005|2005 papal conclave]] that selected [[Pope Benedict XVI]] as well as in the one in [[Papal conclave, 2013|2013]] which selected [[Pope Francis]].<ref name=VP /> Since having reached the age of 80, Bačkis is no longer eligible to vote in any future conclaves.


Within the Lithuanian [[Episcopal Conference]], he has been president (1993–1999, 2002–2005) and [[Vice president|vice-president]] (1999–2002, 2005–2011). Besides his native [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], the Cardinal speaks English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and has a limited comprehension of Dutch. He is also known as one of the Catholic hierarchy's better Latin speakers.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}
Within the Lithuanian [[Episcopal Conference]], he has been president (1993–1999, 2002–2005)<ref name=VP /> and [[Vice president|vice-president]] (1999–2002, 2005–2011). Besides his native [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], the Cardinal speaks English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and has a limited comprehension of Dutch. He is also known as one of the Catholic hierarchy's better Latin speakers.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}}


==Retirement==
==Retirement==
Line 111: Line 112:
{{s-aft|after=[[Diego Causero]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Diego Causero]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=Julijonas Steponavicius}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Julijonas Steponavičius]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Archbishop of Vilnius]]|years=24 December 1991 – 5 April 2013}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vilnius|Archbishop of Vilnius]]|years=24 December 1991 – 5 April 2013}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gintaras Grušas|Gintaras Linas Grušas]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gintaras Grušas|Gintaras Linas Grušas]]}}
Line 135: Line 136:
[[Category:Cardinals created by Pope John Paul II]]
[[Category:Cardinals created by Pope John Paul II]]
[[Category:Members of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications]]
[[Category:Members of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications]]
[[Category:Apostolic Nuncios to the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Apostolic nuncios to the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Vytautas the Great]]
[[Category:Grand Crosses of the Order of Vytautas the Great]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Lithuania]]
[[Category:21st-century Roman Catholic archbishops in Lithuania]]
Line 142: Line 143:
[[Category:Expatriates in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Expatriates in the Philippines]]
[[Category:Expatriates in Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Expatriates in Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Lithuanian expatriates in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Expatriates in Nigeria]]

Latest revision as of 23:22, 1 September 2024

His Eminence

Audrys Bačkis
Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Vilnius
Cardinal Bačkis
ArchdioceseVilnius
ProvinceVilnius
SeeVilnius
Appointed24 December 1991
Term ended5 April 2013
PredecessorJulijonas Steponavičius
SuccessorGintaras Grušas
Other post(s)Cardinal Priest of Natività di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo a Via Gallia
Previous post(s)
  • Titular Archbishop of Meta (1988–1991)
  • Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to Netherlands (1988–1991)
Orders
Ordination18 March 1961
by Luigi Traglia
Consecration4 October 1988
by Pope John Paul II
Created cardinal21 February 2001
RankCardinal Priest
Personal details
Born
Audrys Juozas Bačkis

(1937-02-01) 1 February 1937 (age 87)
Kaunas, Lithuania
Nationality Lithuania
 Vatican City
DenominationRoman Catholic
ParentsStasys Antanas Bačkis
Mottosub tuum praesidium
Coat of armsAudrys Bačkis's coat of arms
Styles of
Audrys Juozas Bačkis
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeVilnius (emeritus)

Audrys Juozas Bačkis[pronunciation?] (born 1 February 1937) is a Lithuanian prelate of the Catholic Church and a cardinal since 2001.[1] He worked in the diplomatic service of the Holy See from 1964 to 1991, when he became Archbishop of Vilnius. He retired in 2013.

Early life

[edit]

Bačkis was born in Kaunas to the family of Stasys Antanas Bačkis, a Lithuanian diplomat. In 1938 Bačkis' father was assigned to Paris where the family stayed after the Soviet occupation in June 1940.[2] He completed his secondary education at the Institute Saint-Marie-de-Monceau, and studied philosophy at the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice in Issy-les-Moulineaux.

Bačkis studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, and Pontifical Lateran University, there Bačkis obtained his doctorate in canon law. Bačkis was ordained to the priesthood by Luigi Traglia on 18 March 1961, in Rome. He then did pastoral work among Lithuanian Americans in the United States, and finished his studies in Rome in 1964.

Service

[edit]

In 1964 he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See,[3] serving as secretary of the nunciature to the Philippines (1964–1965), to Costa Rica (1965–1967), to Turkey (1967–1970), and to Nigeria (1970–1973). Bačkis was raised to the rank of Privy Chamberlain of His Holiness on 26 June 1965, and was called to the Council of Public Affairs of the Church in the Secretariat of State in 1973.[2] He was the Vatican's delegate to the United Nations Conference in Vienna in 1975, and became Vice-Secretary of the Council for the Public Affairs of the Church in 1979.

On 5 August 1988, Bačkis was appointed Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands and Titular Archbishop of Meta by Pope John Paul II.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following 4 October from Pope John Paul himself, with Cardinal Achille Silvestrini and Bishop Juozas Preikšas serving as co-consecrators, in St. Peter's Basilica.

He was named Archbishop of Vilnius[3] on 24 December 1991.

John Paul II created him Cardinal Priest of Natività di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo a Via Gallia in the consistory of 21 February 2001. Bačkis was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI as well as in the one in 2013 which selected Pope Francis.[4] Since having reached the age of 80, Bačkis is no longer eligible to vote in any future conclaves.

Within the Lithuanian Episcopal Conference, he has been president (1993–1999, 2002–2005)[4] and vice-president (1999–2002, 2005–2011). Besides his native Lithuanian, the Cardinal speaks English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and has a limited comprehension of Dutch. He is also known as one of the Catholic hierarchy's better Latin speakers.[citation needed]

Retirement

[edit]

Pope Francis accepted Bačkis's resignation on 5 April 2013.[5]

Pope Francis named Bačkis as his Special Envoy to celebrations marking the 1,025th anniversary of the Baptism (Conversion) of the Kievan Rus, to be held in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 17 and 18 August 2013.[6]

Honours

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Biographical Dictionary of John Paul II (1978-2005), Consistory of February 21, 2001 (VIII)". Florida International University website, The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church section.
  2. ^ a b Lithuanian Bishops' Conference website, Cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis
  3. ^ a b Treccani website, Audrys Juozas Bačkis
  4. ^ a b c Vatican Press, Bačkis Card. Audrys Juozas
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 April 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentė". Lrp.lt. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Audrys Juozas Bačkis.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Audrys Juozas Bačkis.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the Netherlands
5 August 1988 – 24 December 1991 		Succeeded by
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by — TITULAR —
Titular Archbishop of Meta
5 August 1988 – 24 December 1991 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Vilnius
24 December 1991 – 5 April 2013 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Cardinal Priest of Natività di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo a Via Gallia
21 February 2001 – 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Audrys_Bačkis&oldid=1243528227"