The Goan Network –
PANAJI: Archbishop of Karachi Joseph Coutts, a prelate of Goan-origin who was elevated to the College of Cardinals during the Ordinary Public Consistory on Thursday admitted he was surprised at his nomination, but hoped he would get to spend with the people of Pakistan.
Speaking to Vatican News, Cardinal Coutts — one among the 14 cardinals elevated by Pope Francis — said he was surprised at his nomination and was “unsure whether his new jobs would reduce the time he has available to spend with the people.”
Stating that the clergy in Pakistan is very close to the people, the newly elevated cardinal said: “For us, in a poor country like Pakistan and in a small, young Church, historically, where we all, as bishops or archbishops, spend a lot of time with the people. And thank God we don’t have that lifestyle which takes us above the people. We try to be with the people most of the time.”
“So to be a cardinal, I don’t yet know what the implications are. But I fear there will be a gap. I won’t be able to give so much time to the people,” Cardinal Coutts was quote in the Vatican News report.
Each newly elevated cardinal knelt in front of Pope Francis who placed the cardinal´s hat on their heads during the ceremony at St Peter´s Basilica in the Vatican.
Cardinal Coutts (72), who traces his roots to Aldona, is the fifth cardinal of Goan origin, after Cardinal Valerian Gracias (Dramapur), Cardinal Joseph Cordeiro (Salvador do Mundo), Cardinal Ivan Dias (Velsao) and Cardinal Oswald Gracias (Orlim). Incidentally, Cardinal Coutts happens to be the cousin of Archbishop Anil Couto of New Delhi.
The elevation of Cardinal Joseph Coutts has been hailed by Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and Goan Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, as well as villagers of Aldona, where he traces his origins.