Cardinal Prosper Grech dies
suddenly in Rome
 |
| Pope Francis greets cardinaal Prosper Grech in February 2019 |
On Monday afternoon, just days after celebrating his 94th
birthday, Maltese Cardinal Prosper Grech dies suddenly.
By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp
Augustinian Cardinal Prosper Grech died suddenly on Monday
afternoon. He had just celebrated his 94th birthday.
Biography
Born in Malta in 1925, Cardinal Grech entered the Order of
St Augustine in 1943 and was ordained in 1950.
He earned a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical
Gregorian University, a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical
Biblical Institute, and a diploma in educational philosophy at the University
of Fribourg. In addition, he also studied Hebrew at Oxford University and did
research on Maltese literature at Cambridge University.
After teaching theology at the Augustinian College and at
the Mater Admirabilis College in Malta, he was appointed dean of the
Augustinian Theological Institute in 1965. In 1969 he founded the
"Augustinianum" Institute for Patristic Studies, where he was dean
from 1971 until 1979.
In 1984 he was appointed consultor to the Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2003 he was appointed a member of the Pontifical
Theological Academy. From 2004 to 2013 he was a member of the Pontifical
Biblical Commission. He was also a member of the Studiorum Novi
Testamenti Societas and of the International Association of Patristic
Studies.
At the age of 86, he was created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict
on 18 February 2012. In view of that appointment, he received episcopal
ordination on 8 February 2012. On the first afternoon of the conclave that
elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Grech was chosen to give the homily.
Earlier this year, in February, Pope Francis paid Cardinal
Grech a compliment when he met with the professors and students of the
Augustinianum. The Pope greeted Cardinal Grech in a special way, acknowledging
him as one of the founders of the Institute. Then he said of Cardinal Grech:
"his homilies are truly simple... Those who are wise, when they reach a certain
age, take on a grandiose simplicity, which does so much good".
His own memories
In March 2013, Vatican Radio’s Veronica Scarisbrick spoke
with Cardinal Grech about his experiences in the Vatican and some memories of
the Popes he served as sacristan. As providence would have it, he would be the
one to hear Cardinal Montini’s confession before he became Paul VI.
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