Age, Biography and Wiki

Bernardin Gantin was born on 8 May, 1922 in Toffo, Benin, is a Beninese Catholic cardinal (1922–2008). Discover Bernardin Gantin's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 86 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 86 years old
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Born 8 May 1922
Birthday 8 May
Birthplace Toffo, Benin
Date of death 2008
Died Place Paris, France
Nationality Benin

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 8 May. He is a member of famous with the age 86 years old group.

Bernardin Gantin Height, Weight & Measurements

At 86 years old, Bernardin Gantin height not available right now. We will update Bernardin Gantin's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Bernardin Gantin Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Bernardin Gantin worth at the age of 86 years old? Bernardin Gantin’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from Benin. We have estimated Bernardin Gantin's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
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Timeline

1922

Bernardin Gantin (8 May 1922 – 13 May 2008) was a Beninese prelate of the Catholic Church who held senior positions in the Roman Curia for twenty years and the highest position in the College of Cardinals for nine years.

His prominence in the hierarchy of the Church was unprecedented for an African and has been equaled by few non-Italians.

He began his career in his native country first as an auxiliary bishop and then as archbishop of Cotonou.

Bernadin Gantin was born in Toffo, French Dahomey (now Benin), on 8 May 1922.

His name means "tree of iron" (gan, iron and tin, tree ).

His father was a railway worker.

1951

He entered the minor seminary in Ouidah at age fourteen and was ordained to the priesthood on 14 January 1951 in Lomé, Togo, by Archbishop Louis Parisot of Cotonou.

He then fulfilled pastoral assignments while also teaching languages at the seminary.

1953

In 1953 he was sent to Rome where he studied at the Pontifical Urban University and then at the Pontifical Lateran University, where he earned his licenciate in theology and canon law.

1956

On 11 December 1956, Pope Pius XII appointed him titular bishop of Tipasa and auxiliary bishop of Cotonou.

1957

He received his episcopal consecration on 3 February 1957 from Cardinal Eugène Tisserant, Dean of the College of Cardinals.

1960

On 5 January 1960, Pope John XXIII appointed him Archbishop of Cotonou.

On the pope's behalf he managed appointments of conservative prelates in dioceses that did not welcome them in the Netherlands and Switzerland, removed an outspoken liberal French bishop, contended with Latin American advocates for the rights of indigenous peoples, and the excommunication of Marcel Lefebvre, with whom he had worked in Africa in the 1960s.

Years later, John Paul referred to their years of "regular contact and an almost unique familiarity".

1962

As archbishop, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), where he first became friends with the future Pope John Paul II.

He was chairman of the West African Episcopal Conference.

1971

In 1971 he began his thirty-year career in the Curia.

After he had spent several years in the role of senior assistant, he held a series of senior positions as president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, and prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Bishops

Pope Paul VI appointed him to the Roman Curia and gave him a series of assignments, starring as adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in 1971 and secretary of that Congregation in 1973.

1975

On 19 December 1975 he was named Vice President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and on 5 January 1976 Gantin received the additional responsibilities of the Vice President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, as Pope Paul was combining those two departments.

1976

In 1976, Pope Paul appointed him head of the President of the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace, making him the first African to head a curial department.

1977

Pope Paul VI made him a cardinal in 1977, Pope John Paul II promoted him to the rank of cardinal bishop in 1986, and his peers elected him dean, the highest office in the College of Cardinals, in 1993.

He retired to Benin when he turned 80.

This commission was headed by a cardinal, so Gantin held the title Pro-President until Pope Paul made him a cardinal on 27 June 1977.

He was made a member of the order of cardinal deacons and assigned the deaconry of Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re.

1978

On 4 September 1978, he was named President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum by Pope John Paul I, the only administrative appointment of his month-long papacy.

Gantin met with John Paul I the day before he died.

He participated in the 1978 conclaves that elected Popes John Paul I and John Paul II.

At the first of them he was reportedly one of three cardinals who counted the votes.

During the second of these conclaves, Gantin was thought to be one of the papabili, those cardinals who are thought to have a chance of being elected pope.

1982

In 1982, he accompanied Pope John Paul on his visit to Benin.

1984

On 8 April 1984, Pope John Paul II appointed him prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, which supervises episcopal appointments in the non-missionary Latin Rite dioceses throughout the world.

He was also made president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

On 25 June 1984, Gantin opted to become a member of the order of cardinal priests.

For the next fourteen years he collaborated with Pope John Paul in shaping the hierarchy of the Church, both in making appointments and in managing the agendas for the periodic visits bishops make to consult with the pope and the Curia.

1986

On 29 September 1986, Pope John Paul appointed Gantin cardinal bishop of the suburbicarian diocese of Palestrina, one of six Latin-church members of the highest rank of cardinals, responsible for electing the dean and sub dean of the college who manage the conclave that elects the pope.

The six Latin-church cardinal bishops elect the dean and subdean, who takes his position when the pope consents to the election.

1993

On 5 June 1993, Gantin was elected and confirmed Dean of the College of Cardinals, which gave him the additional title cardinal bishop of Ostia.

He was the first non-European to hold this office and remains the only one.

1998

He ended his service as prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America on 25 June 1998.