# Antonio María Rouco Varela

> Spanish Catholic cardinal

**Wikidata**: [Q44898](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44898)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_María_Rouco_Varela)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/antonio-maria-rouco-varela

## Summary
Antonio María Rouco Varela is a Spanish Catholic cardinal and theologian who has served as a high-ranking leader in the Catholic Church. He is recognized for his roles as an archbishop, university teacher, and member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences. His career is distinguished by his leadership within the Spanish Episcopal Conference and his academic contributions in the field of Catholic theology.

## Biography
- **Born:** August 20, 1936 (also listed as September 24, 1936)
- **Nationality:** Spain
- **Education:** Educated at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and the Pontifical University of Salamanca.
- **Known for:** Being a Spanish Catholic cardinal, theologian, and archbishop.
- **Employer(s):** Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München; Pontifical University of Salamanca.
- **Field(s):** Catholicism; Theology.

## Contributions
Antonio María Rouco Varela has contributed significantly to the field of theology and the administration of the Catholic Church in Spain. His contributions include:
*   **Ecclesiastical Leadership:** Served as a Latin Catholic priest, Catholic bishop, and archbishop, administering sacraments and leading various dioceses.
*   **Academic Work:** Acted as a university teacher at institutions including the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and the Pontifical University of Salamanca, educating students in theological disciplines.
*   **Academic Recognition:** Received multiple honorary doctorates recognizing his scholarly and ecclesiastical contributions, including an honorary doctorate of the University of Navarre, an honorary doctorate of the University of Burgos, an honorary doctorate of CEU San Pablo University, and an honorary doctor of the Catholic University of Paris.
*   **Scholarly Affiliation:** Contributed to social sciences discourse as a member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.

## FAQs
**What is Antonio María Rouco Varela's religious role?**
He is a Spanish Catholic cardinal, Latin Catholic priest, and archbishop. He has served as a Catholic bishop and minister within the Roman rite.

**Where was Antonio María Rouco Varela educated?**
He received his education at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in Germany and the Pontifical University of Salamanca in Spain.

**What academic honors has he received?**
He has been awarded honorary doctorates from CEU San Pablo University, the University of Burgos, the University of Navarre, and the Catholic University of Paris.

**What professional organizations is he affiliated with?**
He is a member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences and has been affiliated with the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and the Pontifical University of Salamanca as an employee.

## Why They Matter
Antonio María Rouco Varela matters as a pivotal figure in the intersection of Spanish religious life and academic theology. As a cardinal and archbishop, he played a critical role in shaping the direction of the Catholic Church in Spain during a period of significant historical transition. His dual role as a church leader and a university teacher allowed him to influence both the spiritual administration of the faithful and the intellectual formation of future theologians. His membership in the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences further underscores his impact on Spanish cultural and ethical discourse, bridging religious doctrine with broader social science discussions.

## Notable For
*   **Spanish Catholic Cardinal:** Holding one of the highest ranks in the Catholic Church.
*   **Academic Leadership:** Serving as a university teacher at prominent institutions like the Pontifical University of Salamanca and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.
*   **Royal Academy Membership:** Being a member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences.
*   **Honorary Degrees:** Receiving honorary doctorates from four distinct universities (Navarre, Burgos, CEU San Pablo, Catholic University of Paris).
*   **Theological Scholarship:** Being identified as a theologian and scholar of Catholicism.

## Body
### Early Life and Nationality
Antonio María Rouco Varela was born in Spain. Records indicate two potential birth dates: August 20, 1936, and September 24, 1936. He is a human entity and a Spanish citizen by nationality.

### Religious Career and Ordination
Rouco Varela pursued a vocation in the Catholic Church, becoming a Latin Catholic priest. This role involves being a minister in the Catholic Church of the West, specifically of the Roman rite, who has received the second degree of the sacrament of orders. In this capacity, he can administer five of the seven sacraments, excluding confirmation and ordination, which are reserved for bishops. He advanced through the ecclesiastical hierarchy to become a Catholic bishop—an ordained minister in the Catholic Church—and subsequently an archbishop, a bishop of higher rank in Christian denominations. He is widely recognized as a Spanish Catholic cardinal.

### Academic and Teaching Career
In addition to his ecclesiastical duties, Rouco Varela has had a distinguished career in academia. He is identified as a theologian, defined as a scholar of theology. He has served as a university teacher, employed by the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, a public university in Munich, Germany, founded in 1472. He was also employed by the Pontifical University of Salamanca, a pontifical university in Salamanca, Spain, founded in 1940. His field of work is identified as Catholicism, the Christian doctrine professed by the Catholic Church.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Rouco Varela is affiliated with several prestigious organizations. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, an academy of social sciences in Spain founded in 1857. His other memberships include Q840015 and Q6101693.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Antonio María Rouco Varela has received numerous honorary doctorates, reflecting his standing in both academic and religious communities. These awards include:
*   **Honorary doctorate of CEU San Pablo University** (Spain).
*   **Honorary doctorate of the University of Burgos** (Spain).
*   **Honorary doctorate of the University of Navarre** (Spain).
*   **Honorary doctor of the Catholic University of Paris** (France).

### Identifiers and Archival Records
Antonio María Rouco Varela is cataloged under numerous international identifier systems, reflecting his global scholarly and religious footprint. His VIAF ID is 11627934X, and his ISNI is 000000011627934X. He holds identifiers in the German National Library (120061341), the Library of Congress (nr99033841), and the French National Library (137783856). Other notable identifiers include:
*   **Wikidata ID:** Q1234713 (occupation), Q1622272 (occupation).
*   **Image:** Mons. Rouco Varela (30612834540).jpg.
*   **Coat of Arms:** Coat of arms of Antonio Maria Rouco Varela.svg.
*   **Signature:** Firma de Antonio María Rouco Varela.svg.
*   **Academic Keys:** ADV10952990, rova, n2004250384.
*   **Archival Records:** jo2018986917, XX868817.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. BnF authorities
3. Catholic-Hierarchy.org
4. [Source](https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/1999/marzo/02/sociedad/perfilrouco.html)
5. [Source](https://www.eleconomista.es/noticias/amp/394118/Rouco-Varela-elegido-presidente-de-la-Conferencia-Episcopal)
6. [Source](https://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2081998/0/rouco-varela/retira/conferencia-episcopal/)
7. [Source](https://racmyp.es/academicos/antonio-maria-rouco-varela/)
8. [Source](https://www.bocm.es/boletin/CM_Orden_BOCM/2014/04/25/BOCM-20140425-15%2C0.PDF)
9. [Source](https://www.ubu.es/unidad-de-protocolo/actos-academicos-solemnes/doctorado-honoris-causa/emiliano-aguirre-enriquez-antonio-maria-rouco-varela-2007)
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. [Source](http://www.buscabiografias.com/biografia/verDetalle/8938/Antonio%20Maria%20Rouco%20Varela)
12. Integrated Authority File
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb137783856)
15. Autoritats UB
16. Library of Congress Control Number
17. FactGrid