Religion: Ten New Red Hats

Pope John XXIII last week appointed ten new cardinals to bring the Sacred College of Cardinals to an alltime high of 87 (plus three whose names are held secretly in pectore, “in the heart” of the Pope). In little more than a year, nine cardinals have died. Among the new cardinals are three Italians, giving them a total of 30 in the college. The others are from Syria, Peru, Chile, Portugal, Belgium, Spain and Ireland. No new American cardinals were added to the present five.

At least two of the new cardinals will be able to help Pope John prepare for the Ecumenical Council next October. The two: FATHER ACACIO COUSSA, 64, Pro-Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Eastern Church, a Syrian who was consecrated Titular Archbishop of Gerapoli by Pope John last year in precedent-setting Greek rites; and FATHER MICHAEL BROWNE, 74, Master-General of the Dominican Friars, an Irish-born member of the Central Preparatory Commission for the Ecumenical Council.