“I think, gratefully, of his intense profuse work as zealous religious spiritual son of Saint Ignatius, expert docent, authoritative biblicist, appreciated Rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, diligent and wise collaborator of some Dicasteries of the Roman Curia.”
In this way, Pope Francis in a telegram, praised the late Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, S.J., Rector Emeritus of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and former Secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, who passed away on July 29th, and offered “heartfelt condolences” for the death.
“I raise my prayer to the Lord,” the Jesuit Pope prayed, “so that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, He will receive His faithful servant in the Heavenly Jerusalem.”
The Holy Father imparted his heartfelt Apostolic Blessing to all those that mourn his loss, and offering a special thought for those that assisted him lovingly and accompanied him.
Here is the full Vatican-provided telegram published today, July 30:
***
The Holy Father’s Telegram
Reverend Father
Fr. Manuel Morujao, S.J.
Superior of the “Saint Peter Canisius Residence”
Rome
On learning the news of the pious death of dear Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, I wish to express my closeness to you, to the Saint Peter Canisius Community, to the entire Society of Jesus, as well as to the family members of the late Cardinal and to all those who knew him and esteemed him, remembering with affection and admiration this brother who served the Lord and the Church with great dedication. I think, gratefully, of his intense profuse work as zealous religious spiritual son of Saint Ignatius, expert docent, authoritative biblicist, appreciated Rector of the Pontifical Biblical Institute, diligent and wise collaborator of some Dicasteries of the Roman Curia. Moreover, I think of his love for the ministry of preaching, which he exercised with generosity, animated by the passionate desire to communicate the Gospel. I raise my prayer to the Lord so that, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, He will receive His faithful servant in the Heavenly Jerusalem, and I impart my heartfelt Apostolic Blessing to all those the mourn his decease, with a special thought for those that assisted him lovingly and accompanied him in the last times.
Francis PP.
From the Vatican, July 30, 2021
[Original text: Italian] [Exaudi’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]
Here is the Vatican-provided biography of the Cardinal who served the Holy See:
VANHOYE Card. Albert, S.I.
Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, S.J., Rector emeritus of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and former Secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, was born on 24 July 1923 in Hazebrouck, France. He was ordained a priest for the Society of Jesus on 26 July 1954 and holds licentiates in literature, philosophy and theology, and a doctorate in sacred scripture.
Since 1963, Cardinal Vanhoye has been professor at the Pontifical Institute the Biblicum in Rome, where he was also Dean of the biblical faculty from 1969-1975 and Rector from 1984-1990.
He also taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Lateran University, and carried out many other activities in the field of scholarship and as a member of various societies. He has also published numerous works in various languages.
Cardinal Vanhoye was a member of the Commission for the preparation of the Apostolic Constitution Sapientia Christiana, and was a member and secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
Consultor of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity from 1980-1996; the Congregation for Catholic Education since 1976 and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 1990.
Created and proclaimed cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 March 2006, of the Title of Santa Maria della Mercede e Sant’Adriano a Villa Albani (St. Mary of Mercy and St. Adrian at Villa Albani), Diaconry elevated pro hac vice to presbyteral title.
Cardinal Albert Vanhoye, S.J., died on 29 July 2021.
