Archbishop Angelo Amato, SDB named a Cardinal!

The following comes from the Salesian News Agency:    Abp. Angelo Amato, SDB, Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints, will be made Cardinal by Benedict XVI at the next consistory, which the Holy Father today scheduled for November 20, 2010.

“With joy I now announce that next November 20 I will hold a consistory in which I will nominate new members of the College of Cardinals. The cardinals have the responsibility of assisting the successor of the Apostle Peter in carrying out his mission as the principle and perpetual, visible foundation of the unity of the faith and of communion in the Church” (cf. Lumen gentium, n. 18). With these words, at the end of his customary Wednesday audience the Holy Father announced the elevation of 24 prelates at the next consistory.

Abp. Angelo Amato, currently Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints and titular archbishop of Sila, headed the roster which the Pope announced, which he ended by stating: “The list of the new cardinals reflects the universality of the Church; they, in fact, come from various parts of the world and are involved in different responsibilities of service to the Holy See or of direct contact with the People of God as fathers and pastors of the particular Churches.”

Abp. Amato has been a Salesian priest since 1967, and was ordained archbishop of Sila on Jan. 6, 2003, by Pope John Paul II himself. After serving as secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he was named prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints on July 9, 2008.