Photographs • Cardinal Lercaro (Consilium President)

ARDINAL GIACOMO LERCARO (1891-1976) was Archbishop of Bologna and served as President of the Consilium For The Implementation Of The Constitution on the Liturgy. He turned his episcopal palace into an orphanage and was mentioned numerous times in Bugnini’s book. Click here for color images.

CARDINAL LERCARO should not be confused with CARDINAL LARRAONA, the Spanish Cardinal (1887-1973) who served as Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites from 1962 to 1968, and had participated in the preparation of the 1917 Code of Canon Law.

Here’s a letter from Pope Paul VI to Cardinal Lercaro (9 January 1968):

At this time, when with an admirable spirit of service and dedication you relinquish the responsibilities of the presidency of the Consilium, mainly for reasons of health, we wish to express to you again our lively and sincere thanks.

We are conscious of the work you have devoted to directing this institution, which originated from the concern and work of the conciliar Fathers. We know how much effort you have put into establishing a method of work and strengthening the activity of the Consilium.

The Lord Jesus, the eternal High Priest, will not leave unrewarded the rich crown of merits you have acquired by a faithful service that has taken so much of your energies. This is what we ask of him for the sake of your continued well-being and happiness.

As a testimony of our constant good will, we gladly bestow our special apostolic blessing on you and with affection extend it to the entire beloved Archdiocese of Bologna.