Karl Josef Becker S.J. (18 April 1928 – 10 February 2015) was a German Catholic

theologian Theology is the study of religious belief from a religious perspective, with a focus on the nature of divinity. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of ...

and consultor for the

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) is a department of the Roman Curia in charge of the religious discipline of the Catholic Church. The Dicastery is the oldest among the departments of the Roman Curia. Its seat is the Palace of t ...

since 15 September 1977. He taught at the

Pontifical Gregorian University Pontifical Gregorian University (; also known as the Gregorian or Gregoriana), is a private university, private pontifical university in Rome, Italy. The Gregorian originated as a part of the Roman College, founded in 1551 by Ignatius of Loyo ...

in Rome.

Life

Becker entered the

Society of Jesus The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rome. It was founded in 1540 ...

on 13 April after having studied classical philology for three semesters. After the novitiate in Cologne, he studied philosophy at the Jesuit Seminary of Pullach (toda
Hochschule für Philosophie/Philosophical Faculty
SJ in Munich) from 1950 to 1953. From 1955 to 1959, he studied theology at th
University (Hochschule) for Philosophy and Theology Sankt Georgen
in Frankfurt am Main. His doctoral dissertation in theology was "Die Rechtfertigungslehre nach Domingo de Soto. Das Denken eines Konzilstellnehmers vor, in und nach Trient", which he defended in 1963. It was published in 1967. According to John L. Allen Jr., Becker enjoyed the respect and trust of then-Cardinal

Joseph Ratzinger Pope BenedictXVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until his resignation on 28 February 2013. Benedict's election as po ...

, the prefect of the congregation (and future Pope Benedict XVI). More than one theologian in trouble was advised to "go see Fr. Becker." It is widely believed, for example, that Becker was involved in the Vatican's investigation of fellow Jesuit Fr. Jacques Dupuis and his work on

religious pluralism Religious pluralism is an attitude or policy regarding the diversity of religion, religious belief systems co-existing in society. It can indicate one or more of the following: * Recognizing and Religious tolerance, tolerating the religio ...

. Becker wrote about interpretations of "''

subsistit in ''Subsistit in'' ("subsists in") is a Latin phrase which appears in ''Lumen gentium'',

''" in ''

Lumen gentium , the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, is one of the principal documents of the Second Vatican Council. This dogmatic constitution was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 21 November 1964, following approval by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2 ...

''. In 2009, it was announced that he would participate in the doctrinal discussions between the Society of St. Pius X and the

Holy See The Holy See (, ; ), also called the See of Rome, the Petrine See or the Apostolic See, is the central governing body of the Catholic Church and Vatican City. It encompasses the office of the pope as the Bishops in the Catholic Church, bishop ...

. Pope

Benedict XVI Pope BenedictXVI (born Joseph Alois Ratzinger; 16 April 1927 – 31 December 2022) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 19 April 2005 until resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, his resignation on 28 Februar ...

made Becker a cardinal on 18 February 2012. Considering his age, Becker asked for and received dispensation not to be consecrated a bishop as required by canon law. Becker was

Cardinal-Deacon A cardinal is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. As titular members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, they serve as advisors to the pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. Ca ...

of San Giuliano Martire. ;Works *"Die Rechtfertigungslehre nach Domingo de Soto: Das Denken eines Konzilsteilnehmers vor, in und nach Trient", ''Analecta Gregoriama'', 156 U. Gregoriana Roma 1967

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Becker, Karl Josef 20th-century German Catholic theologians Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology alumni 1928 births 2015 deaths Clergy from Cologne 21st-century German cardinals Cardinals created by Pope Benedict XVI 20th-century German Jesuits Jesuit cardinals 21st-century German Jesuits