German cardinal dies after long career as a theologian

Published: 2005-12-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- German Cardinal Leo Scheffczyk, 85, a retired theologian and expert in Mariology, died in Munich, Germany. In a telegram to Cardinal Friedrich Wetter of Munich and Freising, Pope Benedict XVI recalled Cardinal Scheffczyk's "tireless dedication to theological research and to the preaching of Gospel truth." The telegram was released by the Vatican Dec. 9. Cardinal Scheffczyk's death Dec. 8 left the College of Cardinals with 179 members. The German theologian specialized in Mariology and remained active in church matters after his 1985 retirement. He was one of the editors of the first six-volume German lexicon of Mariology and helped edit the standard German work on the history of Catholic dogma. He became a cardinal Feb. 21, 2001, at the age of 80.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .