Cardinal Péter Erdõ, Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary, was born on June 25, 1952 in Budapest, Hungary. He was ordained a priest on June 18, 1975 and holds doctorates in theology and canon law.
Cardinal Erdõ was professor of theology in the Faculty of Theology of the Archdiocese of Esztergom and at the Gregorian Pontifical University. He was rector of Rome’s Hungarian Pontifical Institute. He served as professor, department head, dean and rector of the Theological Academy “Péter Pázmány”, and was Principal of the Postgraduate Institute of Canon Law. He also taught at the Pontifical Catholic University Argentina (Buenos Aires) and at the Pontifical Lateran University.
On November 5, 1999 was nominated titular Bishop of Puppi and Auxiliary of Székesfehérvár, receiving episcopal ordination on January 6, 2000. He has been president of the Commission of Ecclesiastical Law of the Bishops’ Conference of Hungary.
On December 7, 2002 Cardinal Erdõ was nominated Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest and Primate of Hungary.
He is the author of many written works and founder of various journals.
In September 2005 elected President of the Hungarian Bishops' Conference.
In October 2006 elected President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE).
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of October 21, 2003, of the Title of S. Balbina (St. Balbina).
Member of:
- Congregations: for Catholic Education; for Divine Worship and the Discipline of Sacraments;
- Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts;
- Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.
