Norberto Rivera Carrera
Stored: Norberto Rivera Carrera
| His Eminence Norberto Rivera Carrera | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Durango |
| Other diocese 1: | Diocese of Tehuacán |
| Other diocese 2: | Archdiocese of Mexico City |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 3 July 1966 by Pope Paul VI |
| Consecration: | 21 December 1985 by Archbishop Antonio López Aviña |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 21 February 1998 by Pope John Paul II |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Norberto Rivera Carrera June 6, 1942 La Purísima, Tepehuanes, Mexico |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Mexican |
| Education: | Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | Lumen Gentium |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | Latin America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Ineligible |
Norberto Rivera Carrera, born June 6, 1942, is a Mexican Catholic cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of Mexico City, having served from 1995 to 2017. Elevated to cardinal in 1998 by Pope John Paul II, he was Bishop of Tehuacán from 1985 to 1995 and a prominent figure in the Roman Rite, known for his conservative stances on abortion and same-sex marriage. He participated in the 2005 and 2013 papal conclaves, electing Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, respectively.[1][2][3]
Born in La Purísima, Tepehuanes, Rivera Carrera faced controversy over allegations of shielding clergy accused of sexual abuse, notably in the Nicolás Aguilar case, though a 2009 California court dismissed related claims. In 2021, he was hospitalized with COVID-19, sparking debate over archdiocesan funding for his care. In 2025, at age 82, he was ineligible for the papal conclave due to the age limit of 80, continuing as an emeritus cardinal.[4][5][6][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
Biography
Birth and early life
Norberto Rivera Carrera was born on June 6, 1942 in La Purísima, Tepehuanes, Durango, Mexico, to Ramón Rivera Cháidez and Soledad Carrera. His sister is a nun, and his father immigrated to the United States to support the family.[1][3] Inspired by the Saint Juan Diego, whose devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe shaped his ministry, Rivera entered the Durango seminary in 1955 at age 13.[1][7][](https://www.es.catholic.net/op/articulos/67667/cardenal-norberto-rivera-carrera.html)
Growing up in rural Durango, Rivera developed a conservative outlook, later evident in his opposition to progressive social reforms. His early exposure to Guadalupe’s shrine influenced his role as its custodian during his Mexico City tenure.[5][](https://infovaticana.com/tag/norberto-rivera-carrera/)
Education
Rivera studied humanities, philosophy, and one year of theology at the Durango seminary from 1955 to 1962. He earned a licentiate and doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, completing his studies in 1966.[1][3] His doctoral work focused on dogmatic theology, aligning with his conservative teachings.[7][](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55231/rivera-carrera-norberto%2A)
His Roman education exposed him to global Catholicism, preparing him for curial roles. He also studied at the Pontifical Latin American College, fostering ties with Latin American clergy.[5][](https://infovaticana.com/tag/norberto-rivera-carrera/)
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 3 July 1966 by Pope Paul VI in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Archdiocese of Durango, Rivera served as a curate in Río Grande, Zacatecas, and professor of dogmatic theology at the Durango seminary (1967–1985), also acting as prefect of discipline.[1][2] He directed Social Communications for the archdiocese, advised the Christian Family Movement, and taught ecclesiology at the Pontifical University of Mexico (1982–1985).[3][](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55231/rivera-carrera-norberto%2A)
His priesthood emphasized conservative doctrine, evident in his 1990 closure of a Tehuacán seminary for “Marxist” theology. He built a robust communications office in Mexico City, publishing “Desde la fe,” a widely circulated Catholic weekly.[7][](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)[](https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Tehuacán on 5 November 1985 by Pope John Paul II, Rivera was consecrated on 21 December 1985 by Archbishop Antonio López Aviña.[2] He served as president of the Mexican Bishops’ Family Commission (1989–1995) and the Latin American Episcopal Conference’s Family Section (1993–1995). Named Archbishop of Mexico City on 13 June 1995, he took possession on 26 July 1995 and was elevated to cardinal-priest of San Francesco d’Assisi a Ripa Grande on 21 February 1998.[1][3][](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55231/rivera-carrera-norberto%2A)
As archbishop, Rivera restored the Mexico City Cathedral and opposed abortion and same-sex marriage, drawing criticism for his conservative stances. He faced allegations of shielding clergy in the Nicolás Aguilar abuse case, dismissed by a 2009 California court, and of downplaying Marcial Maciel’s allegations. He resigned on 7 December 2017, citing age, and was ineligible for the 2025 conclave at age 82.[5][6][](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)[](https://infovaticana.com/tag/norberto-rivera-carrera/)
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tehuacán | Bishop | 5 November 1985 | 13 June 1995 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II |
| Mexico City | Archbishop | 13 June 1995 | 7 December 2017 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; resigned due to age |
| Bulla Regia | Titular Archbishop | 7 December 2017 | Present | Appointed upon resignation as Archbishop |
Significant events
- Entered the Durango seminary in 1955.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Durango by Pope Paul VI on 3 July 1966.[1]
- Appointed Bishop of Tehuacán by Pope John Paul II on 5 November 1985, consecrated on 21 December 1985.[2]
- Closed the Tehuacán seminary in 1990 for teaching “Marxist” theology.[5][](https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
- Appointed Archbishop of Mexico City on 13 June 1995, taking possession on 26 July 1995.[1]
- Forced the resignation of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s abbot in 1996 for questioning Juan Diego’s historicity.[5][](https://academia-lab.com/enciclopedia/norberto-rivera-carrera/)
- Created cardinal by Pope John Paul II on 21 February 1998, with the title of San Francesco d’Assisi a Ripa Grande.[1]
- Called Marcial Maciel’s abuse allegations a “plot” in 2001.[8][](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/tags/4433/cardinal-norberto-rivera)
- Criticized U.S. media coverage of clergy abuse as an “orchestrated plan” in 2002.[8][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
- Participated in the 2005 papal conclave, electing Pope Benedict XVI.[2]
- Served as President of the Latin American Episcopal Conference’s Culture Committee from 2004 to 2006.[3]
- Named in a 2006 lawsuit by Joaquín Aguilar Méndez alleging protection of Nicolás Aguilar, dismissed by a California court in 2009.[9][](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
- Opposed Mexico City’s same-sex marriage legalization in 2009 and 2010.[5][](https://academia-lab.com/enciclopedia/norberto-rivera-carrera/)
- Opposed abortion in 2011, calling it “never a solution.”[10][](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
- Participated in the 2013 papal conclave, electing Pope Francis.[2]
- Signed a 2015 letter criticizing the Synod on the Family’s methodology, later clarified as one of nine signatories.[9][](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera)
- Resigned as Archbishop of Mexico City on 7 December 2017, accepted by Pope Francis.[11]
- Hospitalized with COVID-19 on 12 January 2021, discharged in March 2021.[4][](https://www.milenio.com/temas/norberto-rivera-carrera)
Books
Written about the bishop
- No known books or articles specifically dedicated to Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera have been identified as of May 2025.
Written by the bishop
- No known books or publications authored by Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera have been identified as of May 2025.
External links
- Norberto Cardinal Rivera Carrera, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- RIVERA CARRERA Card. Norberto, Vatican Press Office
- Cardinal Rivera Carrera hospitalized with COVID-19, Catholic News Agency
- Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Rivera Carrera, Vatican News
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "RIVERA CARRERA Card. Norberto". 1998-02-21. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_rivera-carrera.html.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Norberto Cardinal Rivera Carrera". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/briveran.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Rivera Carrera, Norberto". https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55590/rivera-carrera-norberto.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Cardinal Rivera Carrera hospitalized with COVID-19". 2021-01-13. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/cardinal-rivera-carrera-hospitalized-with-covid-19.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 "Norberto Rivera Carrera". https://infovaticana.com/norberto-rivera-carrera/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Cardenal Norberto Rivera Carrera". 2017-12-07. https://www.es.catholic.net/op/articulos/64336/cardenal-norberto-rivera-carrera.html.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Archdiocese of Mexico counters claims Cardinal Rivera covered up abuse". 2020-12-16. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/archdiocese-of-mexico-counters-claims-cardinal-rivera-covered-up-abuse.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Norberto Rivera Carrera". 2021-01-25. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norberto_Rivera_Carrera.
- ↑ "Mexican cardinal: Abortion is never a solution". 2011-09-26. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/mexican-cardinal-abortion-is-never-a-solution.
- ↑ "Pope accepts resignation of Cardinal Rivera Carrera". 2017-12-07. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2017-12/pope-accepts-resignation-of-cardinal-rivera-carrera.html.