Paul Josef Cordes

His Eminence

Paul Josef Cordes
His Eminence; Paul Josef Cordes
President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum"
	Cordes in 2009
Appointed	2 December 1995
In office	2 December 1995 – 7 October 2010
Predecessor	Roger Marie Élie Etchegaray
Successor	Robert Sarah
Other post(s)	Cardinal-Priest of S. Lorenzo in Piscibus "pro hac vice" (2018–2024);
Previous post(s)	Titular Bishop of Naissus (1975–1995); Auxiliary Bishop of Paderborn (1975); Vice President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity (1980–1995); Titular Archbishop of Naissus (1995–2007);
Orders
Ordination	21 December 1961; by Lorenz Jaeger
Consecration	1 February 1976; by Johannes Joachim Degenhardt
Created cardinal	24 November 2007; by Pope Benedict XVI
Rank	Cardinal-Deacon (2007–2018); Cardinal-Priest (2018–2024)
Personal details
Born	Paul Josef Cordes; 5 September 1934; Kirchhundem, Gau Westphalia-South, Germany
Died	15 March 2024 (aged 89); Rome, Italy
Nationality	German
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Motto	Deus fidelis
Coat of arms

Paul Josef Cordes (5 September 1934 – 15 March 2024) was a German cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum (1995–2010) and was elevated to the rank of cardinal in 2007.