POPE BENEDICT SURPRISINGLY NAMES SIX NEW CARDINALS............

For the second time this year, an unprecedented occurrence - His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, unexpectedly announced the appointment of six new members to the College of Cardinals; at his weekly General Audience meeting with pilgrims at the Vatican today.  Among the six about to receive the symbolic Red Hat, at a Consistory on November 24th, is one American.  The American Cardinal-Elect is not one of the currently serving Bishops in the United States, but one who has long served in the Roman Curia, Archbishop James Harvey, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; who since 1998, has served Popes John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, as the Prefect of the Papal Household.  Cardinal-Elect Harvey is 63 years old.  Today's appointments brings the total numner of Cardinals to 211, of which 120 are under the age of 80, and eligible electors of a Pope in a future Conclave.  This will be the fifth Consistory held by Benedict XVI, since becoming Pope seven and a half years ago; and will bring to 90, the number of Cardinals he has appointed.  Pope Paul VI, set the maximum number of votes in a papal conclave at 120 Cardinals under 80 years old.  The current eligible membership of the College is 116 Cardinals, with two reaching age 80, before the next Consistory on November 24th; meaning the six newest Cardinals will bring the number of eligible electors to the maximum of 120.  The other five new Cardinals-Elect are Lebanese, Indian, Nigerian, Colombian, and Philipino.  The 55 year old Archbishop of Manila, in the Philippines - +Jose Antonio Tagle; and the 68 year old Archbishop of Abuja, in Nigeria - +John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, are considered papabili, possible future contenders for Pope...........Fr.  Troy