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College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 07.05.2008]

 

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press, for the exclusive use of accredited journalists.

 

DIAS Card. Ivan

© Gregorz Galazka
 

 
Cardinal Ivan Dias,  Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbanian University, Archbishop emeritus of Bombay, India, was born on 14 April 1936 in Mumbai, India. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Bombay on 8 December 1958 and holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Lateran University, Rome.

He entered the Holy See’s diplomatic service in 1964 and was posted to the Nordic countries, Indonesia, Madagascar, La Réunion, the Comorros, Mauritius and the Secretariat of State. On 8 May 1982 he was appointed titular Archbishop of Rusubisir and Apostolic Pro-Nuncio in Ghana, Togo and Benin, and received episcopal ordination on 19 June. He later served as Apostolic Nuncio in Korea (1987-91) and Albania (1991-97).

On 8 November 1996 he was appointed Archbishop of Bombay.

President Delegate of the 10th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 2001).

On 20 May 2006 he was appointed Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical Urbanian University.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of 21 February 2001, of the Title of Spirito Santo alla Ferratella (Holy Spirit at Ferratella).

Member of:
  • Congregations: for Doctrine of the Faith; for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; for Catholic Education; for the Oriental Churches;
  • Pontifical Councils: for Culture; for the Laity; for Promoting Christian Unity; for Inter-religious Dialogue; of Social Communications; for Legislative Texts;
  • Pontifical Commissions: for Latin America; for the Cultural Heritage of the Church;
  • Special Council for Asia of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

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