Cardinal Foleys Life Of Work

Cardinal Foleys resume is likely one of the longer ones around the Vatican. Hes met presidents, worked for the last two popes, and today he still finds time to head one of the oldest orders of knighthood in the Catholic church: The Order of the Holy Sepulchre. For him, work equals happiness.


Cardinal John Patrick Foley
Ive been blessed all my life with interesting work. As long as you know that your doing Gods will, as far as you can discern because youre being obedient to your superiors, in this case the vicar of God himself, Im a very happy priest.

As grand master of the Order, he says they have a particular interest in protecting Christianity in the Holy Land, because, as he sees it, Christianity today is threatened in its own homeland.

Cardinal John Patrick Foley
Our suffering brothers and sisters in the holy land, they are suffering from discrimination, lack of opportunity in education, employment, housing. They are made to feel uncomfortable. What we want to do is give them the possibility of remaining and flourishing in the land where their ancestors have lived for at least 2000 years.

Foley was president of the Pontifical Council for Social Relations before becoming cardinal, a post he held since 1984. And though it didnt come as a complete surprise, Foley says theres a lot more to being a cardinal than he once thought.

Card. John Patrick Foley
Grand Master, Order of the Holy Sepulchre
I must say, its been a whirlwind. I thought it would be much more tranquil but it isnt. Its very busy.

Foleys many years of work in Rome have left him fond memories. Like when he traveled with John Paul II to the White House three decades ago.

Card. John Patrick Foley
The military aid took my name and introduced me to President Carter and said Holy Father, this is monsignor Foley, and the Pope said, I know, hes with me.

The Cardinal says hes been blessed for having worked with two popes and has gotten to know both of their styles intimately.

Card. John Patrick Foley
Hes very clear, and he has a rich message but its easy to understand. So, perhaps, hes in that case more of the teacher and John Paul II was more of the presenter. But both excellent people. So it shows that God can work through different instruments and both can be very good in their own way.

Whats clear is that Cardinal Foley shows no signs of slowing down, and is happy carrying on his work on both inside the church and out.

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