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His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
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HABEMVS
PAPAM
BENEDICTVM
XVI
THE HOLY FATHER
The Roman Pontiff, as
the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible principle and foundation of
unity of both the bishops and of the faithful.
LUMEN GENTIUM, 23
Apostolic Blessing "Urbi et
Orbi" (April 19, 2005)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
After the great Pope John Paul II, the
Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble laborer in the vineyard of the
Lord.
The fact that the Lord knows how to work
and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust
myself to your prayers.
Let us move forward in the joy of the
Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his
Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you.
Biographical Notes
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith , President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and International
Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals, was born on 16 April
1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a priest on 29 June 1951.
His father, a police officer, came from a traditional family of farmers from
Lower Baviera. He spent his adolescent years in Traunstein, and was called into
the auxiliary anti-aircraft service in the last months of World War II. From
1946 to 1951, the year in which he was ordained a priest and began to teach, he
studied philosophy and theology at the University of Munich and at the higher
school in Freising. In 1953 he obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis
entitled: "The People and House of God in St. Augustine’s doctrine of the
Church". Four years later, he qualified as a university teacher. He then
taught dogma and fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy and
theology of Freising, then in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, Münster from 1963 to
1966, Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. From 1969, he was a professor of dogmatic
theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and Vice
President of the same university.
Already in 1962 he was well known when, at the age of 35, he became a
consultor at Vatican Council II, of the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joseph
Frings. Among his numerous publications, a particular post belongs to the
‘Introduction to Christianity’, a collection of university lessons on the
profession of apostolic faith, published in 1968; Dogma and revelation, an
anthology of essays, sermons and reflections dedicated to the pastoral ministry,
published in 1973.
In March 1977, Paul VI elected him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on
28 May 1977 he was consecrated, the first diocesan priest after 80 years to take
over the pastoral ministry of this large Bavarian diocese.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 27 June
1977, of the Titles of the Suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993)
and Suburbicarian Church of Ostia (30 November 2002).
On 25 November 1981 he was nominated by John Paul II Prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; President of the Biblical Commission
and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission.
Relator of the 5th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (1980).
President Delegate to the 6th Synodal Assembly (1983).
Elected Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998. On 30
November 2002, the Holy Father approved the election, by the order of cardinal
bishops, as Dean of the College of Cardinals.
President of the Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church, and after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the New
Catechism to the Holy Father.
Laurea honoris causa in jurisprudence from the Libera Università Maria
Santissima Assunta, 10 November 1999.
Honorary member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 13 November 2000.
Curial Membership:
Secretariat of State (second section)
Oriental Churches, Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments,
Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, Catholic Education (congregations)
Christian Unity (council)
Latin America, Ecclesia Dei (commissions)
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