Quick Facts
Biography
Karl Josef Becker S.J. (18 April 1928 – 10 February 2015) was a German Catholic theologian and consultor for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith since 15 September 1977. He taught at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Life
Becker entered the Society of Jesus on 13 April after having studied classical philology for three semesters. After the novitiate in Cologne, he studied philosophy at the Jesuit University of Pullach (today University for Philosophy in Münich) from 1950 to 1953. From 1955 to 1959, he studied theology at the University for Philosophy and Theology Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt am Main. His doctoral dissertation in theology was "Die Rechtfertigungslehre nach Domingo de Soto. Das Denken eines Konzilstellnehmers vor, in und nach Trient", which he defended in 1963. It was published in 1967.
According to John L. Allen, Jr., Becker enjoyed the respect and trust of then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the prefect of the congregation (and future Pope Benedict XVI). More than one theologian in trouble has been advised to "go see Fr. Becker." It is widely believed, for example, that Becker was involved in the Vatican's investigation of fellow Jesuit Fr. Jacques Dupuis and his work on religious pluralism.
Becker has written about interpretations of subsistit in in Lumen gentium. In 2009, it was announced that he would participate in the doctrinal discussions between the Society of St. Pius X and the Holy See.
Pope Benedict XVI made Becker a cardinal on 18 February 2012. Considering his age, Becker asked for and received dispensation not to be consecrated a bishop as required by canon law. Becker was Cardinal-Deacon of San Giuliano Martire.
- Works
- "Die Rechtfertigungslehre nach Domingo de Soto: Das Denken eines Konzilsteilnehmers vor, in und nach Trient", Analecta Gregoriama, 156 U. Gregoriana Roma 1967