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Jewish-born priest is 'pope's man in Paris'
Some see Cardinal Lustiger as successor
August 26, 1997
Web posted at: 2:33 p.m. EDT (1833 GMT)PARIS (CNN) -- The Archbishop of Paris, who often stood at John Paul II's side during the Pope's recent visit, has been mentioned as a possible successor. But even that could not be quite as remarkable as Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger's life so far.
Born into a Jewish family, he converted to Catholicism at age 14 before joining the priesthood.
His mother was one of thousands of French Jews deported to German concentration camps during World War II. She died at the camp in Auschwitz, Poland.
Forceful and intelligent, Lustiger rose through the church hierarchy, thanks in no small part to his close relationship with Pope John Paul II. But, along the way, Lustiger upset some people in both the Catholic and Jewish establishments.
Jean-Louis Missika, co-author of "Choosing God," a book about Lustiger, calls the cardinal "John Paul's man in Paris."
Some in church 'cannot accept him'
But, he adds, some of Lustiger's adversaries within the Catholic church in France are united in their opposition to the Jewish-born archbishop.
"The right wing of the church cannot accept him because of his life and his origins," says Missika, "and the left wing of the church cannot accept him because of his ideas."
Lustiger's ideas -- on issues like, abortion, birth control, divorce, homosexuality and other moral matters -- strictly coincide with the conservative views of the Pope.
"There are opinions and there is faith," the cardinal told CNN. "When it is faith, I agree (with the pope) because I am responsible for the faith."
Supporters and opponents alike agree that the success of the World Youth Days festival in France, much of which the cardinal personally planned, only strengthened Lustiger's position in the church hierarchy.
At age 70, however, the cardinal's age works against him as a possible successor to John Paul II, detractors say. Many believe the next pope will be elected from Africa or Asia where Catholicism is growing the fastest.
Lustiger, himself, looks ill at ease when asked directly about the possibility the church would turn to him to be its next leader. "No," he says, pointing upward in a gesture indicating God and heaven. "I told my Boss I will die before the pope."
Perhaps, but the French cardinal who has never forgotten his Jewish roots, seems as strong today as he has ever been.
Correspondent Jim Bittermann contributed to this report.
- Newsmaker Profile: Pope John Paul II
Related stories:
- Record crowd attends pope's Mass in Paris - August 24, 1997
- Frail pope celebrates World Youth Day in Paris - August 21, 1997
- Pope takes to French fashion for youth festival - August 21, 1997
Related sites:
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- The Holy See - official site of the Vatican
- Ignatius Press (Home Page)
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