PRESS RELEASE

19 APRIL 2005

Statement of Dr Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland

on the election of His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

as Pope Benedict XVI

‘Habemus Papam – We have a Pope – Tá Pápa againn’

 
On behalf of the Catholic Church in Ireland I welcome the announcement of
the election of His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger from Germany as
Pope Benedict XVI.
 
The election of our new Pope is not only a source of great joy and hope for
Catholics throughout the world, it is also an important event for the whole
human family. At the beginning of the third millennium we are blessed with
a deeper sense of our common humanity and with a shared sense of responsibility
in striving for a more just and peaceful world. Pope Benedict XVI will play
a critical part in progressing this search, in engaging with people of all
faiths and none in constructive dialogue about the joy and hopes, the challenges
and the fears of the world. This is a daunting prospect.  

So I ask Catholics throughout Ireland and all people of goodwill to pray for
Pope Benedict XVI the 264th successor to Saint Peter as he begins his
pontificate.
 
+Seán Brady
Archbishop of Armagh

Ends
19th April 2005

Further information:
Rome – Martin Long Director of Communications (086 172 7678)
Ireland – Brenda Drumm Communications Officer (087 233 7797)

Notes to Editors:
Biography: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith, President of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
and International Theological Commission, Dean of the College of Cardinals,
was born on 16 April 1927 in Marktl am Inn, Germany. He was ordained a
priest on 29 June 1951. His father, a police officer, came from a traditional
family of farmers from Lower Baviera. He spent his adolescent years in
Traunstein, and was called into the auxiliary anti-aircraft service in
the last months of World War II. From 1946 to 1951, the year in which he
was ordained a priest and began to teach, he studied philosophy and theology
at the University of Munich and at the higher school in Freising. In 1953
he obtained a doctorate in theology with a thesis entitled: “The People
and House of God in St. Augustine’s doctrine of the Church”. Four years
later, he qualified as a university teacher. He then taught dogma and
fundamental theology at the higher school of philosophy and theology of
Freising, then in Bonn from 1959 to 1969, Münster from 1963 to 1966,
Tubinga from 1966 to 1969. From 1969, he was a professor of dogmatic
theology and of the history of dogma at the University of Regensburg and
Vice President of the same university.Already in 1962 he was well known
when, at the age of 35, he became a consultor at Vatican Council II, of
the Archbishop of Cologne, Cardinal Joseph Frings. Among his numerous
publications, a particular post belongs to the ‘Introduction to Christianity’,
a collection of university lessons on the profession of apostolic faith,
published in 1968; Dogma and revelation, an anthology of essays, sermons
and reflections dedicated to the pastoral ministry, published in 1973. In
March 1977, Paul VI elected him Archbishop of Munich and Freising and on
28 May 1977 he was consecrated, the first diocesan priest after 80 years
to take over the pastoral ministry of this large Bavarian diocese.Created
and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 27 June 1977. Titular
churches, suburbicarian see of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and suburbicarian
see of Ostia (30 November 2002). On 25 November 1981 he was nominated by
John Paul II Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith;
President of the Biblical Commission and of the Pontifical International
Theological Commission. Relator of the 5th General Assembly of the Synod
of Bishops (1980). President Delegate to the 6th Synodal Assembly (1983).
Elected Vice Dean of the College of Cardinals, 6 November 1998.  On 30
November 2002, the Holy Father approved the election, by the order of
cardinal bishops, as Dean of the College of Cardinals. President of the
Commission for the Preparation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
and after 6 years of work (1986-92) he presented the New Catechism to the
Holy Father.Laurea honoris causa in jurisprudence from the Libera Università
Maria Santissima Assunta, 10 November 1999. Honorary member of the Pontifical
Academy of Sciences, 13 November 2000.