Argentina: Second Oldest Cardinal Turns 98

Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic is the longest-serving member of the Argentine episcopate and the second-longest serving cardinal in the world. He celebrated his 98th birthday on 7 February.

He lives in Aldea María Luisa, 20 kilometres from Paraná, where he conducts the daily 11.30 am Eucharist for a community of Benedictine nuns in the chapel of the convent of Our Lady of Paraná.

His mobility and vision are limited and his memory is fragile, according to AciPrensa.com.

When he celebrates the Eucharist, Karlic is assisted by a nun who helps him reach the altar, shows him the steps to follow and places a lamp very close to the missal so that the cardinal can read it.

"I have no other reason for being what I am, other than a participation in the mystery of the priesthood of Jesus, which has always made me very happy," admits Karlic.

Karlic was a member of the commission headed by Cardinal Ratzinger that drafted the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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