"The Holy Father re-elected President of the Italian Bishops Conference, "donec aliter provideatur", the Most Eminent Card. Camillo Ruini, his vicar general for the Diocese of Rome". This is the way the Press Room of the Holy See gave the news, today, that Benedict XVI re-elected card. Camillo Ruini as President of Cei, "until otherwise provided".
The cardinal was born in Sassuolo, in the diocese of Reggio Emilia – Guastalla, on February 19th 1931. In a few days, he will turn 75. He was ordained presbyter on December 8th 1954. He was appointed bishop in 1983, when he was elected to the titular church of Nepte and appointed auxiliary of Reggio Emilia on May 16th; on June 29th the same year, he was ordained bishop. Three years later, he was called to Rome by John Paul II, who appointed him secretary general of the Italian Bishops Conference on June 28th 1986. Five years later, he was promoted pro-vicar general of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome, with the personal position of archbishop on January 17th 1991; two months later, he became president of the Italian Bishops Conference (March 7th 1991), an office he has held for fifteen years, over three consecutive terms. He was made Cardinal in the Consistory of June 28th 1991 and just a few days later he was appointed Vicar General of His Holiness for the Diocese of Rome on July 1st 1991. He was confirmed at the head of the Italian Bishops Conference the first time on March 7th 1996 and then again on March 6th 2001.
Currently, as well as being president of the Italian Bishops Conference, he is also president of the Council for Economic Affairs of Cei, President of the Bishops Conference of the region Lazio, member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See. In addition, he is a member of the Congregation for the Bishops and the Management of the Heritage of the Apostolic See.
