by Peter Stanford THREE noted 'American conservatives are among the 28 new cardinals announced by Pope John Paul during his weekly audience on April 24.
Archbishop John O'Connor of New York and Archbishop Bernard Law of Boston in the United States and Archbishop Miguel Obando Bravo of Managua, Nicaragua's first-ever cardinal, will receive their red hats on May 25 along with 17 Europeans (including 5 Italians), two Africans, two Asians, two from South America and two Canadians.
Since his elevation to the New York sec in March 1984, Archbishop O'Connor, 27 years a naval chaplain, has been in the public eye because of his criticisms of vice-presidential candidate Mrs Geraldine Ferraro and his comments on Ireland on St Patrick's Day. He has also been accused by Catholic congressmen of "having a direct line to the White House".
A surprise nomination was Archbishop Paulos Tzadua of Addis Ababa. Less than one per cent of Ethiopia's drought afflicated population is Catholic.
Archbishop Juan Francisco Fresno Larrain of Santiago is another outspoken churchman. He has accused the military government of General Pinoehet in Chile of creating an atmosphere of oppression. His nomination gives Chile two cardinals — the other being Archbishop Fresno's predecessor, Cardinal Raul Silva Henriquez.
The new appointments bring up to the limit of 120 the number of cardinals who can vote in a conclave for a new Pope. There are now 153 cardinals in all, but those over 80 cannot vote.
see analysis, page 3 and Letter,
page 2