Oscar Andrés Cardinal Rodríguez Maradiaga, s.d.b. became the 11th President of Caritas Internationalis during the 2007 General Assembly.  He is a staunch defender of human rights and a powerful voice in the global fight against poverty. He was the Vatican's spokesperson with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on the issue of Third World debt. He continues to challenge leaders of the world’s richest nations to keep their promises to increase and improve development aid to the world’s poorest countries.

Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 1942, he entered the Salesian order in 1961. In 1978, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Pudenziana and Auxiliary Bishop of Tegucigalpa. In 1993 he was named Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, and in 2001 he became his country’s first cardinal.

He is multilingual, with degrees in philosophy and theology, and a diploma in clinical psychology.  He was President of the Conference of Latin American Bishops (CELAM) from 1995 to 1999. He has also been a member of several Pontifical Councils, including the Council for Social Communications, the Council for Justice and Peace and the Commission for Latin America.

View pictures of Cardinal Rodriguez

ARTICLES

Cardinal Rodriguez looks at the challenges facing the Church (5/3/13)
Cardinal Rodriguez on Catholic identity (6/12/13)
Prayers for victims of German fire tragedy (26/11/12)
Cardinal Rodriguez at the UN (8/10/12)
Cardinal Rodriguez looks to young as best resource in fight against poverty (24/9/12)
A new globalistion for all. Speech to Caritas Asia (28/6/13)
Cardinal Rodriguez condems murder of Honduran journalist (16/5/12)
Durban climate talks risk moral apartheid (4/12/12)
The hallmark of Christianity (20/8/11)
The foundations of faith (18/8/11)
Caritas Internationalis Annual Report 2009: Use your imagination
[Photo Gallery] Cardinal Óscar Rodríguez Maradiaga celebrated a Mass and a prayer vigil at Sanctuary of Fatima, Portugal.
Cardinal says 2009 offers the chance for a “blueprint for a better world” (6 May 2009)
Cardinal Rodriguez marks 30 years as bishop
The Tablet interview: Who Needs a Lifetime? (4 October 2008)
Cardinal Rodríguez on World Youth Day 2008
Caritas in Africa and across the world condemn Kenya violence
The Catholic Church and the Globalization of Solidarity
Peruvian Government gives award to Caritas President for earthquake relief