Roman Catholic Cardinal. Cologne born Karl Josef Becker received his first education at the local Dreikönigsgymnasium before entering the Society of Jesus on April 3, 1948. Following his novitiate in Cologne, he studied philosophy at the Jesuit University of Pullach between 1950 and 1953 and later theology at the University for Philosophy and Theology Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt from 1955 to 1959. Ordained priest in the latter city on July 31, 1958, he furthered on with his studies up to 1965, being named in the meantime as professor of theology at the local Jesuit faculty of Hochschule Sankt Georgen. Longtime professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1969 up to 2003, Becker was named consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on September 15, 1977, participating in the preparation of the important ecumenical document "Dichiarazione comune sulla giustificazione". Member of the working group constituted by the Commission 'Ecclesia Dei' to conduct the colloquies with the Society of Pius X in regards of the followers of excommunicated Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in 2010 he published along with Professor Ilaria Morali of the Gregorian University and twenty five other collaborators, "Catholic Engagement with World Religions", a work consisting of orientation on the theology of religions. Enjoying the respect and trust of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, following the latter's election to the Papacy as Benedict XVI, he had him elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals in the consistory of February 18, 2012 as cardinal deacon of San Giuliano Martire. Due to age reasons, he asked to be dispensated from receiving his episcopal consecration. The Cardinal passed away after several months of increasingly grave and painful illness in the morning of Tuesday, February 10, 2015 in Rome.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. Cologne born Karl Josef Becker received his first education at the local Dreikönigsgymnasium before entering the Society of Jesus on April 3, 1948. Following his novitiate in Cologne, he studied philosophy at the Jesuit University of Pullach between 1950 and 1953 and later theology at the University for Philosophy and Theology Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt from 1955 to 1959. Ordained priest in the latter city on July 31, 1958, he furthered on with his studies up to 1965, being named in the meantime as professor of theology at the local Jesuit faculty of Hochschule Sankt Georgen. Longtime professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 1969 up to 2003, Becker was named consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on September 15, 1977, participating in the preparation of the important ecumenical document "Dichiarazione comune sulla giustificazione". Member of the working group constituted by the Commission 'Ecclesia Dei' to conduct the colloquies with the Society of Pius X in regards of the followers of excommunicated Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in 2010 he published along with Professor Ilaria Morali of the Gregorian University and twenty five other collaborators, "Catholic Engagement with World Religions", a work consisting of orientation on the theology of religions. Enjoying the respect and trust of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, following the latter's election to the Papacy as Benedict XVI, he had him elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals in the consistory of February 18, 2012 as cardinal deacon of San Giuliano Martire. Due to age reasons, he asked to be dispensated from receiving his episcopal consecration. The Cardinal passed away after several months of increasingly grave and painful illness in the morning of Tuesday, February 10, 2015 in Rome.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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