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HABEMUS PAPAM!
POPE BENEDICT XVI
(Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger)
Biographical notes
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, of the Titles of the Suburbicarian Church of Velletri-Segni (5 April 1993) and Suburbicarian Church 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.
Curial Membership:
Secretariat of State (second section)
Oriental Churches, Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Bishops, Evangelization of Peoples, Catholic Education (congregations)
Christian Unity (council)
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO HIS EXCELLENCY, MOST REV. JOSEPH WANG YU-JUNG, D.D., BISHOP OF TAICHUNG ON APRIL 27, 2005.
HOMILYGood Evening
It is a great honor and privilege for me to celebrate this Eucharist with you in the occasion of the 50th Sacerdotal Anniversary of the Maryknoll Fathers, Fr. Frank O’Donnel, Fr. Louis Rost and Fr. John Kennedy and together with them I will be celebrating also my 50th Sacerdotal anniversary on December 24 this year. Its really a great blessing from God.
As we celebrate this golden year of our priestly ministry we cannot help but contemplate this marvelous gift of priestly vocation bestowed upon us 50 years ago. This is now a time of thanksgiving and rejoicing as we approach the twilight moment of our life.
50 years ago during our ordination we can still clearly remember the words “you are priest forever according to the order of Melchesidec…” and since then our life revolved around the Eucharist and in the service of the Lord‘s vineyard. As I contemplated priesthood, I went back to the text presented to us by Pope Paul VI on his Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests in Presbyterorum Ordinis in December 7 1965, few days before my 10th anniversary to the Priesthood. The text that I ponder in my heart was and I quote: “Priests, who are taken from among men and ordained for men in the things that belong to God in order to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins, nevertheless live on earth with other men as brothers. The Lord Jesus, the Son of God, a Man sent by the Father to men, dwelt among us and willed to become like his brethren in all things except sin. The holy apostles imitated him. Blessed Paul, the doctor of the Gentiles, "set apart for the Gospel of God" (Rom 1:1) declares that he became all things to all men that he might save all. Priests of the New Testament, by their vocation and ordination, are in a certain sense set apart in the bosom of the People of God. However, they are not to be separated from the People of God or from any person; but they are to be totally dedicated to the work for which the Lord has chosen them. They cannot be ministers of Christ unless they be witnesses and dispensers of a life other than earthly life. But they cannot be of service to men if they remain strangers to the life and conditions of men. Their ministry itself, by a special title, forbids that they be conformed to this world; yet at the same time it requires that they live in this world among men. They are to live as good shepherds that know their sheep, and they are to seek to lead those who are not of this sheepfold that they, too, may hear the voice of Christ, so that there might be one fold and one shepherd. To achieve this aim, certain virtues, which in human affairs are deservedly esteemed, contribute a great deal: such as goodness of heart, sincerity, strength and constancy of mind, zealous pursuit of justice, affability, and others. The Apostle Paul commends them saying: "Whatever things are true, whatever honorable, whatever just, whatever holy, whatever loving, whatever of good repute, if there be any virtue, if anything is worthy of praise, think upon these things" (Phil 4:8). (Unquote) As I ponder all these, I realized that priesthood is a journey towards “kenosis” or emptiness of oneself and the fullness of God in our life. 50 years have passed, and to borrow the words of St. Augustine “my heart is restless until it rest in YOU!” our hearts still restless until they rest in Him and have the fullness of life in Him whom we have served.
Time flies so fast, you, Maryknollers, may be can still clearly remember the many things you have actively done for the salvation of souls in Taiwan, crossing the frontiers from north to south, east and west to proclaim glad tidings to the people and announcing the Good News of Salvation, planting the seed of faith in the soil of this beautiful island, it was just like yesterday and now you have seen the harvest. I gladly thank you, not only as your Bishop but as your partner in the mission of our Lord, as I also share with you the joy of your success in mission after this fruitful 50 years in the priesthood. God has fulfilled His mission in you as you also live a holy life in your missionary journey. God brought fulfillment to the work He has started 50 years ago in your priestly ministry.
Jesus told us in the Gospel of John today that “I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may find peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but be brave: I have conquered the world.” Yes, for like Jesus we were never alone in our journey for He is with us just as He was with the Father. In the world we have experienced many troubles. In 50 years of priesthood, God gave us the valor to face all the challenges of time and because of Him we found peace for we knew that He has conquered the world and the conquest remains as we continue to preach the Gospel even in our deathbed. And soon God has prepared a home for us and waiting to tell us “come and share in the heavenly banquet of your Father”. A priest in his golden year sparkles to give new light to the younger generation. A treasure that nothing can compare. God Bless You and Happy Golden year in Priesthood.
HIS EXCELLENCY
MOST REV. JOSEPH WANG YU-JUNG, D.D.
BISHOP OF TAICHUNG
Greetings!
Welcome to the DIOCESE OF TAICHUNG website. This website is our humble commitment to further establish Christian solidarity throughout the world particularly in Taiwan.
Contents of this website are taken from the 2004 Catholic Directory. You can also find some important informations about our diocese such as; priests and religious, diocesan commissions and organizations, schools and other pastoral and social ministries. You can also be updated about our Diocese through the news section of this website.
Enjoy your stay with us!
SGD.
HIS EXCELLENCY
MOST REV.JOSEPH WANG YU-JUNG, D.D.
BISHOP OF TAICHUNG
TAIWAN, R.O.C
HIS EXCELLENCY,
MOST REV. JOSEPH WANG YU-JUNG, D.D.
DATE OF BIRTH: April 27, 1931 in Shanghai
ORDAINED PRIEST: December 24, 1955 in Madrid, Spain
APPOINTED TITULAR BISHOP OF TAIPEI: July 1, 1975
ORDAINED BISHOP: July 22, 1975
APPOINTED BISHOP OF TAICHUNG: June 25, 1986
INSTALLED BISHOP OF TAICHUNG: November 12, 1986
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