TNAG-2808-FCO40-4053-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1994 — Page 24

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BRITISH EMBASSY HOLY SEE

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July 1993

TOMKO, Cardinal Jozef

Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fide) since 1985.

Born Udavske, Slovakia in 1924. Studied at Bratislava Faculty of Theology and subsequently at the Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining degrees in Theology, Canon Law and Social Sciences. Ordained a priest in 1949. From 1950-65 he was Vice Rector of the Nepomuceno Pontifical College for priests from various countries. Appointed Head of the Office of Doctrine in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1966. In 1974 he was appointed Under-Secretary in the Congregation for Bishops and created Titular Archbishop of Doclea. In 1985, he was nominated Pro-Prefect of Propaganda Fide. He was created Cardinal at the May 1985 Consistory, and appointed Prefect of Propaganda Fide.

He has not been a Sponsored Visitor to Britain.

Has numerous publications to his credit, including works on law, theology, spirituality and the Synod of Bishops. Co-Founder of the Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. Cardinal Tomko has travelled widely on the Holy See's business. including visits to Manila, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and Yaoundé, as well as pastoral visits to Czech communities in the USA, Canada and European countries. He speaks good English.

Cardinal Tomko is widely considered to have specially good relations with Pope John Paul II. His Congregation is the Holy See's Missionary arm, which is now primarily concerned about the repression of Christian communities by Muslim fundamentalists and others. In November 1991 the Cardinal received the Rt Hon John Gummer, then a Member of the General Synod of the Church of England, primarily to discuss the problems of Catholics in China (where Mr Gummer had recently been), including priests detained there. Their useful discussion also covered Hong Kong, Burma, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and the Former Soviet Union.

The Cardinal is an intense supporter of the independent sovereignty of his native Slovakia. He is physically impressive, with a pleasantly calm and communicative manner. The premises of his Congregation dominate one end of the Piazza di Spagna, where our Embassy offices are located: Cardinal Tomko enjoys references to this neighbourly relationship, and is generous in giving us advice on more profound and complex matters.

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