A synod conversation with Catholic Africa’s lion in winter

Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria (YouTube/ Augustine Institute)

By John L. Allen Jr.
Associate editor | October 16, 2015

ROME — Supposedly Pope Paul VI once flirted with the idea of naming patriarchs for each of the world’s continents, as a step towards greater local control. Although the concept never went anywhere, if it had a strong contender for Africa over the past couple of decades, it probably would have been Nigeria’s Cardinal Francis Arinze.

Now 82 (he turns 83 on Nov. 1), Arinze incarnates many of the qualities typically associated with African Catholicism.

He’s got an infectious laugh and a smile that could light up whole city blocks, with a keen wit and a propensity for not taking himself too seriously. At the same time, he’s unyielding in defending Catholic orthodoxy, never mincing words or allowing himself to be cowed by the conventions of political correctness.

Here’s Arinze, for instance, on proposals to address the problem created by divorced and civilly remarried Catholics by allowing them to receive Communion, despite the fact that the Church regards their first marriage as still valid:

“You don’t solve a headache,” he says, “by cutting off the head!”

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/10/16/a-synod-conversation-with-catholic-africas-lion-in-winter/