Pope appoints Vingt-Trois new Archbishop of Paris

Vatican City, Feb 10, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Just back from the hospital after his recent bout with the flu, Pope John Paul II yesterday appointed Andre Vingt-Trois, former Archbishop of Tours, as the new Archbishop of Paris.

According to the Holy See, the Pope accepted the resignation of Jean Marie Lustiger, previous Parisian Archbishop for reasons of age according to the norms of Canon Law. The Archbishop was 79.

Despite his resignation, the Polish Lustiger, who is known for his strong promotion of Christian-Jewish dialogue, will remain a “great elector” for a possible papal conclave for one more year.

Lustiger stepped down as France’s senior Archbishop on Friday after 24 years.

Appointed Cardinal by Pope John Paul in 1983, Lustiger recently represented the Pope at the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps.

62-year old Vingt Trois served under Lusinger for 18 years as a priest and then auxiliary bishop before being appointed as Archbishop of Tours. He will be installed as Archbishop of Paris at Notre Dame Cathedral on March 5th.