Cardinal Ján Chryzostom Korec, aged 88, bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic diocese of Nitra, was admitted to the Faculty Hospital in Nitra due to a failure of basic vital functions, the deputy director of the hospital, Alena Ďurišová, told the TASR newswire on June 14. The cardinal's condition has been stabilised but remains critical.
"He was suffering from severe septic shock and a ruptured appendix. He also has severe inflammation of the peritoneum. We carried out surgery immediately," said Ďurišová.
Korec was consecrated as a priest in secrecy in 1950. One year later he was secretly consecrated as a bishop by Bishop Pavol Hnilica. He had a blue-collar job until 1960 but continued to carry out his religious duties quietly.
The Communist regime later sentenced him to 12 years in prison for treason. Following his release he worked as a lift repairman. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989 he became rector of the Priests Seminary in Bratislava. Pope John Paul II made him a cardinal in 1991.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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