VATICAN CITY, JUN 28, 2001 (VIS) - Made public today was Pope John Paul's Letter to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, to congratulate him on the 50th anniversary tomorrow of his ordination to the priesthood. The Letter, written in Latin and translated into Italian, is dated June 20.
The Pope writes that "the fact that your Jubilee anniversary coincides with the liturgical solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul brings to my mind the vision of broad spiritual and ecclesial horizons: a personal holiness driven to the ultimate sacrifice, a missionary thrust linked with the constant concern for unity and the necessary integration between spiritual charism and institutional ministry.
"These are horizons that you, venerable brother, have attentively explored in your theological research: in Peter shone forth the principle of unity, founded on the Prince of the Apostles' faith which was solid as a rock; in Paul, (we see) the intrinsic demand of the Gospel to call each man and every people to obedience in faith."
The Holy Father highlighted Cardinal Ratzinger's "brilliant philosophical and especially theological studies," his "precocious call to teaching roles in the most important German universities," his nomination as a bishop by Pope Paul VI and subsequent appointment to the archdiocese of Munchen und Freising and his elevation as cardinal.
John Paul II also underscored how, nearly 20 years ago, he asked Cardinal Ratzinger "to be prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Since then you have not ceased in lavishing your intellectual and moral energies to promote and be guardian of the doctrine of the faith and morals of the entire Catholic universe."
The Pope concludes by expressing his "great gratitude for the impressive mass of work you have undertaken" and "for the spirit of humility and self-denial which has constantly marked your activity."
JPII-LETTER;JUBILEE; ORDINATION;...;RATZINGER;VIS;20010628;Word: 320;
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