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Date of birth: April 16, 1927 Birth name: Joseph Ratzinger Birth place: Marktl am inn, Germany Ordained a priest: June 29, 1951 Ordained Archbishop of Munich and Freising: May 28, 1977 Named Cardinal: June 27, 1977 Elected to the Office of Universal Shepherd: April 19, 2005 (265th pope) |
Other Accomplishments: 1953: Doctorate in Theology; Thesis title: "The People and House of God in St. Augustine's Doctrine of the Church" 1957 - 1969: university teacher, professor of dogmatic theology and history of dogma, vice president of the University of Regensburg. 1962: at age 35, became peritus, or theological expert for the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Frings at the Vatican Council II. 1968: book: "Introduction to Christianity." 1977: March - Pope Paul VI named him Archbishop of Munich and Freising. May 28 - ordained a bishop. June 27 - made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI. 1981: November - named Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by Pope John Paul II. President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International Theological Commission. 1996: book: "Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today" 2000: book: "The Spirit of the Liturgy". 2002: November 30 - became Dean of the College of Cardinals. 2003: book: "God is Near Us. The Eucharist, the Heart of Life" Accomplished pianist with a preference for Beethoven. |