Cardinal Estanislao Esteban Karlic, Archbishop emeritus of Paraná (Argentina), was born on 7 February 1926 at Oliva, Córdoba, Argentina. He was ordained a priest in Rome on 8 December 1954 and holds a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University.

He taught in Córdoba at the Diocesan Seminary, the Catholic University and at various institutes, including the Metropolitan Seminary in Buenos Aires.

On 6 June 1977 he was appointed titular Bishop of Castrum and auxiliary of Córdoba, and was ordained a bishop on 15 August. In 1979, he took part in the Third General Conference of the Latin-American Episcopate in Puebla, Mexico.

On 19 January 1983, Paul VI appointed him coadjutor Archbishop of Paraná and Apostolic Administrator sede plena. On 1 April 1986 he succeeded to Archbishop of Paraná. He was present to welcome John Paul II on his apostolic visit to the archdiocese on 9 April 1987.

He was on the editorial commission for the Catechism of the Catholic Church and was a member of various commissions of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference. From 1996 to 2002 he was president of the Argentine Bishops’ Conference. In 1997 he was appointed special secretary for the Special Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for America.

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 November 2007, of the Title of Beata Vergine Maria Addolorata a Piazza Buenos Aires (Our Lady of Sorrows in Piazza Buenos Aires).