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Cardinal Adolfo Antonio Suarez Rivera has served as the Archbishop of the sprawling Monterrey Archdiocese in Mexico since 1983

    We continue with this special series introducing you to the Princes of the Church. Our one-hundred-thirty-third red-hat we feature, in alphabetical order, is the 72 year-old Mexican prelate Cardinal Adolfo Antonio Suarez Rivera who for sixteen years has served as the Archbishop of Monterrey in the state of Chiapas, Mexico. He was elevated to the cardinalate by Pope John Paul II during the Consistory of November 26, 1994. For more on Cardinal Adolfo Antonio Suarez Rivera, click on COLLEGE OF CARDINALS COLLECTION

130.   Cardinal Adolfo Antonio Suarez Rivera

    The current Archbishop of Monterrey, Mexico, Cardinal Adolfo Antonio Suarez Rivera was born in San Cristobal de las Casas in the state of Chiapas, Mexico on January 9, 1927. After minor and major seminary which concluded in Rome he was ordained at the Latin American Pontifical Pius College Chapel there on March 8, 1952 at the age of 25. Returning to his home diocese, he was assigned various pastoral duties, specifically working with the laity when he was promoted to Diocesan Director of the Catechetical Office in 1965 to implement the reforms of Vatican II. On May 14, 1971 Pope Paul VI made him a bishop and he was installed as Bishop of Tepic on the Solemnity of the Assumption in 1971 where he remained for nine years until Pope John Paul II appointed him the Bishop of Tlalnepantla on May 8, 1980. During this time he also served as an assistant menber of the Congregation of Bishops until 1983.

    As a member of the Pontifical Committee for Latin America he served as a Pontifical Delegate to the Sixth General Synod of Bishops in Rome in September and October 1983 with the theme "Reconciliation and Penance" - something that has been adapted for the Jubilee Year 2000. Following that synod, the Holy Father promoted him to Archbishop of Monterrey on November 8, 1983. Eleven years later he was added to the role of the Sacred Conclave when the Pope elevated him to the cardinalate during the Consistory of November 26, 1994 receiving the titular church of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Monte Mario in Rome. As shepherd of the Monterrey See for sixteen years this cardinal priest currently serves curial membership in the Congregation for the Clergy and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. At 72 his flock is enthused that he will lead the mushrooming Archdiocese of Monterrey into the new millennium for he is fondly considered by all Mexican faithful in Monterrey.

Events this weekend in Church History

    Friday is the 20th anniversary of the death of the greatest orator of this century, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen who took the country by storm in the fifties and early sixties with his weekly coast-to-coast program "Life is Worth Living" on network television every Sunday night when families of many faiths would gather in front of their sets to hear the simple, logical and theologically sound words of this great prelate. He was 84 years old when he died in New York City. He and his straightforward, loving but firm style has been sorely missed ever since. For other events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history this weekend, click on MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 10:

• 304 A.D.
  
• Death of Saint Eulalia, who suffered martydom in Merida, Spain at the tender age of twelve because she refused to sacrifice to the pagan gods and because she denounced authorities in their attempt to lure Christians to renounce their faith. She was singled out by the great Saint Augustine for her bravery and faith.

• 1968 A.D.
  
• Death of Thomas Merton, controversial Trappist who wrote the famous "Seven Story Mountain" - the story of his struggles and vocation to become a Trappist monk. He died at the age of fifty-three in Kentucky.

• 1979 A.D.
  
• Death of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the orthodox religious broadcaster, author and evangelist who came into American homes every Sunday evening on network TV with "Life is Worth Living" series, using only a chalkboard and an assertiveness that spoke volumes as a successor of the Apostles. In short, this 84-year-old prelate who died in New York City on this date, was the best thing that ever happened to the Catholic Church in the United States. He and his straightforward, loving style has been sorely missed ever since.

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 11:

• 384 A.D.
  
• Death of Pope Saint Damasus I, 37th successor of Peter who reigned as Sovereign Pontiff for eighteen years. For more on St. Damasus, click on THIS WEEKEND'S LITURGY.

• 1475 A.D.
  
• Birth of Giovanni de' Medici in Florence. The second son of Lorenzo of the famous de' Medici family, young Giovanni would become a cardinal deacon at the ridiculous age of only thirteen and be elected the 217th successor of Peter on March 19, 1513 taking the name Pope Leo X who, because he was so young really could not comprehend how to deal with the Protestant revolt. His papacy lasted eight years, ending on December 1, 1521.

Historical Events in Church Annals for December 12:

• 1098 A.D.
  
• Troops from the First Crusade defeat the Saracens, capturing the city of Mara in Syria.

• 1524 A.D.
  
• Pope Clement VII approves the Organization of the Jewish Community of Rome in an ecumenical gesture and hope that they will be protected against discrimination.

• 1531 A.D.
  
• The Blessed Virgin Mary appears to a young Aztec indian in Guadalupe, Mexico which triggered the greatest apparition and fruits in the western hemisphere as millions were brought to the true faith and human sacrifice ended by the Aztec nation. For more, click on THIS WEEKEND'S LITURGY.

• 1917 A.D.
  
• Father Edward Flanagan, a 31 year-old priest, frustrated by the dearth of young boys homeless and without purpose, opens up Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska with very few funds. Today it is a sprawling city unto itself which is more of a cooperation housing and educating both young men and women. From the small sprout nurtured by Fr. Flanagan, sprang a Catholic metropolis devoted to caring.

"Toy Story 2" plays with competition in running away with number one again

    There was virtually no change in the top drawing movies for the week with Buzz LIghtyear and Cowboy Woody continuing to ride high with Disney's "Toy Story 2" (the sequel to the original "Toy Story") still holding strong at number one by a wide margin, nearly tripling the latest Bond offering "The World is Not Enough," the apocalyptic violent flick "End of Days," and a scary recreation of Washington Irving's novel "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" with "Sleepy Hollow." As for the Top Ten reviews for the first week of December prepared by the NCCB, click on MOVIES AND MORALS

TOP TEN MOVIES
FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER

1.   TOY STORY 2

(Walt Disney)$27.8 million last week/   $116.8 million in two weeks:
    The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. In "Toy Story 2" the animated adventures of toys that come to life when humans aren't around continues as cowboy Woody voiced by Tom Hanks is stolen by a greedy toy collector, sending Woody's toy buddies, led by Buzz Lightyear, the voice of Tim Allen, on a breathless rescue mission. Featuring even better animation, the briskly paced cartoon sequel is slightly less original, but zippy action scenes and gentle humor should amuse small fry and grown-ups alike.

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2.   THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH

(MGM)$10.7 million last week/    $90.4 million in three weeks:
    Because of much stylized violence and a few discreet bedroom scenes, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "The World Is Not Enough" is typical breathless Bond fare in which Pierce Brosnan's agent 007 must outwit a dangerously duplicitous female and a sinister psychopath intent on seizing control of the world's oil supply. The escapist fantasy's fast and furious action eventually wears itself out in an overlong and overly elaborate plot.

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3.   END OF DAYS

(Universal)$9.6 million in one week/   $45.8 million in two weeks:
    Because of excessive violence, frequent mindless mayhem, a perverted sexual encounter with nudity, some profanity and much rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "End of Days" is an ultraviolent millennium thriller in which ex-cop Arnold Schwarzenegger struggles to prevent satan, played by Gabriel Byrne, from impregnating a young woman, thus ushering in the devil's reign. The big-budget action movie simply exploits a religious theme to showcase murder, mayhem and explosive special effects far removed from genuine spiritual concerns.

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4.   SLEEPY HOLLOW

(Paramount)$8.9 million last week/   $74.1 million in three weeks:
    Because of recurring grisly decapitations and a discreet sexual encounter, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. In "Sleepy Hollow," a violent adaptation of Washington Irving's spooky tale of the headless horseman, Johnny Depp's Ichabod Crane is a pompous, fearful NYC constable sent to Sleepy Hollow to find a triple murderer who has made off with the victim's heads. Although it's a visually gorgeous period piece, the contrived humor doesn't work and the narrative overdoses on scenes of the horseman and another villain gleefully butchering their prey.

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5.   THE BONE COLLECTOR

(Universal)$3.2 million last week   /$58.1 million in five weeks:
    Because of grisly violence, an implied affair, occasional profanity and recurring rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "The Bone Collector" is a grim thriller in which paralyzed police forensics expert Denzel Washington relies on rookie cop Angelina Jolie to gather evidence and clues to the identity of a serial killer who is taunting the bedridden cop with a series of increasingly grotesque murders. The police procedural slides from engrossing to disappointing with its unsatisfying revelations and gory wrap-up. selfdestruction.

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6.   POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE

(Warners Brothers)$2.3 million last week/   $80.8 million in four weeks:
    The U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences. "Pokemon: The First Movie" is a Japanese animated movie based on the TV cartoon series in which youngsters and their pocket monsters called pokemons gather on a remote island where they must defend themselves against an evil pokemon clone and his minions intent on enslaving the world. Colorful but crudely animated, the movie's characters battle one another while a preachy voice-over asserts that violence is wrong, thus sending a mixed message to little ones.

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7.   it's-a-DOG, MA

(Lyin' Gate)$2.1 million in one week/   /$24.4 million in four weeks:
    Because of anti-religious buffoonery, intense violence, sexual references, substance abuse, assorted vulgarities, profanity and recurring rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is O -- morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. It's-a-"Dog, ma" is a sophomoric religious satire in which a heavenly messenger persuades the last descendant of Joseph and Mary to leave her job in an abortion clinic and set out to stop a pair of fallen angels from regaining heaven by means of a plenary indulgence. The unfunny proceedings rely on a mindless mix of irreverence and absurdity in poking fun at biblical characters and Christian stereotypes.

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8.   BEING JOHN MALKOVICH

(USA Films)$1.4 million last week/   $13.8 million in five weeks:
    Because of several sexual encounters, many sexual references, some rough language and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "Being John Malkovich" is a surreal tale in which a puppeteer (played by John Cusack) is led into a passageway into the mind of actor John Malkovich (playing himself) by a female co-worker who becomes sexually attracted to the puppeteer's wife (played by Cameron Diaz). The odd proceedings grow progressively more bizarre until the endless complications wear out their welcome well before the ending's final twist.

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9.   THE INSIDER

(Buena Vista Pictures)$1.33 million last week/   $23.9 million in five weeks
    ecause of frequent rough language, and mature subject matter, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R restricted. "The Insider" is a fact-based, largely riveting account of how a CBS news producer (Al Pacino) is prevented from airing a -60 Minutes" interview with a tobacco company whistleblower (Russell Crowe) because the CBS corporate parent feared a costly lawsuit. Superbly acted, the lengthy, documentary-like drama explores corporate manipulation of journalism as well as the human cost to those involved in complex ethical issues.

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10.   ANYWHERE BUT HERE

(Fox)$1.32 million last week/   $16.4 million in four weeks:
    Because of an implied affair, sexual references and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "Anywhere But Here" is a heartfelt drama in which a level-headed daughter played by Natalie Portman struggles through her teens with free-spirited mom Susan Sarandon who has rashly moved them from their Wisconsin roots to Beverly Hills with self-delusional dreams of fame and fortune. The finely acted film explores the unhappy daughter's love-hate relationship up to its sentimental resolution.

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The DAILY WORD

    Taken from the Gospel for the Mass on the Third Sunday of Advent - Gaudete Sunday:

"He said, 'I am the voice of one crying in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as said Isaias the prophet. And they who had been sent were from among the Pharisees. And they asked him, and said to him, 'Why, then, dost thou baptize, if thou art not the Christ, nor Elias, nor the Prophet?' John said to them in answer, 'I baptize with water; but in the midst of you there has stood One Whom you do not know. He it is Who is to come after me, Who has been set above me, the strap of Whose sandal I am not worthy to loose.'" John 1: 23-27

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Click here to go to SECTION FOUR or return to SECTION ONE or SECTION TWO or click here to return to the graphics front page of this issue.

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December 10-12, 1999 volume 10, no. 235  DAILY CATHOLIC