Cardinal dos Santos

Born in Zavala on March 18, 1924, Cardinal dos Santos was to become Mozambique's first priest and first cardinal. Dos Santos began his studies with the Franciscan missionaries. Later, after attending his country's Minor Seminary, he was sent to Portugal to enrol in a Philosophy course offered by the White Fathers. In 1947 he entered the Franciscan novitiate of the Portuguese province of Varatojo near Lisbon, taking his final vows in 1951, and becoming a priest on June 25, 1953. After Mozambique's proclamation of independence from Portugal, on December 23, 1974, dos Santos was named Archbishop of Maputo by Pope Paul VI. He founded the Caritas of Mozambique and served as its first president. On August 22, 1981, he also created and legalized the Women's Union of Piety. He was elevated to the College of Cardinals by John Paul II during the Consistory of June 28, 1988.