Monday, Apr. 04, 2011
Christoph Schönborn
Age: 65
Occupation: Catholic cardinal, Archbishop of Austria
Previous TIME 100 appearances: 0
Amid the firestorm over the accumulating reports of sexual abuse by Catholic clergymen, Cardinal Schönborn was a resounding voice for reform. When Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Sodano called the widespread accusations of misconduct "petty gossip," Schönborn dissented, saying that the casual dismissal of the problem had "deeply wronged" the victims. He stressed that the decades-long abuse could no longer be glossed over. He has also called for an examination of priestly celibacy and questioned whether the church's stance on homosexuality should be softened.