French cardinal-designate named for long dedication to study of Bible

Published: 2006-03-14

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- When he creates new cardinals March 24, Pope Benedict XVI will honor the more than four decades French Jesuit Father Albert Vanhoye has devoted to studying and teaching about the Bible. The 82-year-old priest was one of three churchmen Pope Benedict was honoring specifically for their long service to the church; the new cardinals who have passed their 80th birthdays are not eligible to vote in a conclave to elect a new pope. Announcing the 15 new cardinals Feb. 22, Pope Benedict limited himself to saying their names and the office they hold. But he made a small exception for Father Vanhoye, describing him as the "well-deserving" former rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome and former secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. As a member of the biblical commission, 1984-1990, and secretary of the body, 1990-2001, Father Vanhoye worked closely with then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and president of the commission. While he was secretary, the commission issued two major documents with guidelines not only for biblical scholars, but also for theologians and pastors charged with helping the Catholic faithful read and understand the Bible.

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