Carlo Maria Martini
President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (1986–93) | |
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Alma mater | |
Motto | Pro veritate adversa diligere ("For the love of truth, dare to choose adverse situations") |
Signature | |
Coat of arms |
Carlo Maria Martini
Martini entered the
Hours after his death, the Italian daily Corriere della Sera printed his final interview, in which he described the church as "200 years out of date", commenting: "Our culture has aged, our churches are big and empty and the church bureaucracy rises up. The Church must admit its mistakes and begin a radical change, starting from the Pope and the bishops. The pedophilia scandals oblige us to take a journey of transformation."[2][3][4]
Early life and education
Carlo Maria Martini was born on 15 February 1927 in
In 1958, Martini was awarded his
Academic career
After completing his studies, Martini quickly pursued a successful academic career. In 1962, he was given the Chair of Textual Criticism at the Pontifical Biblical Institute. In 1969 he was appointed rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute.[6] Throughout these years, he edited a number of scholarly works. Martini became active in the scientific field by publishing various books and articles. Furthermore, he received the honour of being the only Catholic member of the ecumenical committee that prepared the new Greek edition of the New Testament, the Novum Testamentum Graece. In 1978, under Pope Paul VI, he was nominated to become the rector magnificus of the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he served until his appointment to the episcopacy.
Styles of Carlo Maria Martini | |
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His Eminence | |
Spoken style | Your Eminence |
Informal style | Cardinal |
Episcopate and cardinalate
On 29 December 1979,
Martini served as relator of the sixth
In 1987, he began the so-called "cathedra of non-believers" (cattedra dei non-credenti)[7] which was conceived together with the Italian philosopher Massimo Cacciari.[8][9] It was a series of public dialogues held in Milan with agnostic or atheist scientists and intellectuals on the matters of bioethics, the social doctrine of the Church and the reasons to believe in God.[10]
In 1996, Martini was presented with an honorary doctorate from the Russian Academy of Sciences. In Spain in October 2000, he was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Social Sciences.[11] Martini was admitted as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in November 2000.
Martini was one of
In 2004, Martini reached the Catholic Church's mandatory retirement age and was succeeded in Milan by
In June 2012, when Pope Benedict XVI was contemplating retirement and was being urged not to retire by some of his closest confidants, Martini, suffering himself from Parkinson's, urged him to follow through on his decision to resign.[17]
After his retirement, Martini moved to the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem to continue his work as a biblical scholar. He returned to Milan in 2008 where he spent his final years in a Jesuit house.[18]
Death and funeral
Martini died in Gallarate on 31 August 2012. According to an online Zenit news statement about his death, Pope Benedict XVI, in his formal message of condolence sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican Secretary of State, praised Martini's strength during his struggle with Parkinson's, his long service as Archbishop of Milan and his work as a scholar of the Bible.[19] The Mayor of Milan, Giuliano Pisapia, led the tributes by saying, "Carlo Maria Martini illuminated the way for the entire city, not just for part of it. For this reason, today more than ever, Milan mourns its Archbishop."[20]
More than 150,000 people passed before Martini's casket in the
Views
Often considered to be one of the more liberal
Martini was known to be "progressive" on matters concerning human relationships, the possible ordination of women to the diaconate, and some bioethical questions, notably contraceptive use in certain more complex situations.[26]
Dominus Iesus
In 2000, he criticized
Contraception
In April 2006, in response to a very specific question from physician and politician
In the book Nighttime Conversations in Jerusalem published in 2008, two Jesuits, Georg Sporschill and Carlo Maria Martini, answered critical questions of young people about the risk of faith in a discourse. In the book-interview Cardinal Martini stated that "many people have withdrawn from the Church, and the Church from people", due to the 1968 encyclical Humanae vitae which prohibited artificial contraception. According to the cardinal, Pope John Paul II followed the path of rigorous application and for some period considered issuing a pontifical declaration under the principle of papal infallibility, concluding that "probably the pope [Benedict XVI] will not revoke the encyclical, but he might write one that would be its continuation. I am firmly convinced that the Church can point out a better way than it did with Humanae vitae. Being able to admit one's mistakes and the limitations of one's previous viewpoints is a sign of greatness of soul and of confidence. The Church would regain credibility and competence."[32][33]
Beginning of human life
Martini's position on the start of a distinct human life during the fertilization of oocytes was rebuked by certain Vatican officials.[34]
Right to refuse treatments
Martini, speaking about the
Collegiality of bishops
Martini called for greater
Role of women in the Church
Martini demonstrated a desire for further theological enquiry on issues relating to human sexuality and the role of women in the Church and expressed support for the ordination of female deacons.[41]
Sacramentum caritatis
In March 2007, some advocates of gay rights interpreted him as openly criticising the attitude of the Church authorities. While speaking at the
Social work
Furthermore, he promoted combating social ills, often calling for greater action to be taken to assist the socially underprivileged. Martini wished that the Church rekindle a "burning fire in the heart" of men and women today.[43]
Catholic schools
Martini was a stringent supporter of Catholic schools and many times he spoke in favour of state contribution to Catholic schools. He said that one hour a week of teaching of Catholic religion in the Italian high school was not enough and the time dedicated to religious teaching in the school had to be increased.[citation needed]
Homosexuality
In his book Credere e conoscere, published shortly before his death, Martini stated: "I disagree with the positions of those in the Church that take issue with
Portrayal in popular culture
Martini's role in the 2005 papal conclave was portrayed by Achille Brugnini in the 2019 Netflix biographical film The Two Popes.
Bibliography
- Belief or Nonbelief? (1996, with Umberto Eco)
References
- ^ "Is Pope Francis still a Jesuit?". National Catholic Reporter. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ L'addio a Martini, "Chiesa indietro di 200 anni", L'ultima intervista: "Perché non-si scuote, perché abbiamo paura?" Corriere della Sera, 1 settembre 2012
- ^ Translated final interview with Martini National Catholic Reporter (NCR), 4 September 2012
- ^ Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, his final interview, and a damning critique that has rocked the Catholic Church The Independent, 3 September 2012
- ^ Pianigiani, Gaia. "Cardinal Carlo Martini, Papal Contender, Dies at 85", The New York Times, 31 August 2012
- ^ Shaw, Russell. "What Cardinal Martini Said, and What He Didn’t Say", The Catholic World Report, 20 September 2012
- ^ Gheddo, Piero (3 March 2012). "The missionary spirit of Card. Martini". AsiaNews. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ Dal Mas, Francesco (1 September 2012). "Cacciari: "L'apertura ai laici fu un atto di responsabilità"". Avvenire (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 June 2020.
- ^ "Percorsi martiniani - La cattedra dei non-credenti". Fondazione Carlo Maria Martini (in Italian). Archived from the original on 30 June 2018.
- ^ Spinelli, Ylenia (20 September 2013). ""Il "mio" cardinal Martini che insegnava dalla cattedra dei non-credenti"" (in Italian). Archived from the original on 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ Tecnologías, Developed with webControl CMS by Intermark. "Carlo Maria Martini - Laureates - Princess of Asturias Awards - The Princess of Asturias Foundation". The Princess of Asturias Foundation. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Pentin, Edward (24 September 2015). "Cardinal Danneels Admits to Being Part of 'Mafia' Club Opposed to Benedict XVI". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Pentin, Edward (26 September 2015). "Cardinal Danneels' Biographers Retract Comments on St. Gallen Group". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (18 April 2005). "Cardinals Gather Today in Secret to Elect the Next Pope". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
- ^ Catholic News Service. Article based on diary says German cardinal became pope with 84 votes 23 September 2005
- ^ Magister, Sandro (20 April 2021). "Francis, the Self-Contradictory Pope. Theory and Practice of a Non-Infallible Pontificate". Settimo Cielo. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
- ^ "Martini: Benedict XVI's resignation and the 2005 Conclave". Vatican Insider. 18 July 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- Zenit.org. Innovative Media, Inc. 31 August 2012. Archived from the originalon 3 September 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ a b Day, Michael (3 September 2012). "Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, his final interview, and a damning critique that has rocked the Catholic Church". The Independent. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ "A man of God who loved the Word and served the Church". L'Osservatore Romano. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2020.[dead link]
- News.va. Archived from the originalon 5 September 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Miranda, Salvador (September 2012). "The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church – Additions 2012". Florida International University. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- MSN.com. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2020.)
{{cite news}}
:|author=
has generic name (help - ^ Dominus Iesus: An Ecclesiological Critique Archived 15 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Time, 1 May 2006.
- ^ BBC. Cardinal backs limited condom use 21 April 2006.
- ^ L'Espresso. When Does Life Begin? Cardinal Martini Replies Archived 7 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine 20 May 2006
- ^ BBC. Profile: Cardinal Carlo Martini 19 April 2005.
- ^ Sandro Magister (3 November 2008). "Cardinal Martini's Jesus Would Never Have Written "Humanae Vitae"". L'Espresso. Rome. Archived from the original on 25 January 2020.
- ^ Sandro Magister (11 November 2008). "God Is Not Catholic, Cardinal's Word of Honor" (in English and Italian).
- ^ L'Espresso. Carlo Maria Martini's "Day After" Archived 7 December 2006 at the Wayback Machine 20 May 2006
- ^ National Catholic Reporter. The schism that hasn't been between Ratzinger and Martini 20 February 2007 Archived 23 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ISBN 9780879739317), p. 311
- ISBN 9781589011120), p. 3
- ^ Declaration on euthanasia Iura et bona, 5 May 1980
- ^ Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2278 Archived 14 November 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Catholic World News. Cardinal Martini repeats call for decentralized Church government 7 April 2004
- ^ Gaia Pianigani, "Cardinal Carlo Martini, Papal Contender, Dies at 85", 31 August 2012, The New York Times.
- ^ PinkNews. Cardinal says Pope should stop giving orders 16 March 2007.
- ^ "Profile: Cardinal Carlo Martini". 19 April 2005. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ Martini and Marino, Credere e conoscere, 2012;
- ^ Terence Weldon, Cardinal Martini, on Gay Partnerships Archived 21 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine, 29 March 2012, Queering The Church.
External links
- CV from the Archdiocese of Milan website (Italian only)
- Biography from the Vatican News Service
- GBPress.net The Pontifical Biblical Institute where Martini taught
- Biography from Catholic Pages
- BBC article on Martini
- Profile on the Catholic Hierarchy website
- English review of Impalà's biography of Cardinal Martini written in Italian