CARDINAL CARLO MARIA MARTINI, S.J. (1927-2012)
From left, with B16 in May 2005; on his 80th birthday in Jerusalem (Feb 2007); next 2 photos taken 2009-2010 after he retired to a Jesuit home in Gallarate, near Milan;last 3 photos taken 2011-2012.
NB: Photos and information added to the RV article come from the site of the Archdiocese of Milan.
The funeral of Cardinal Martini
Right photo: Banner hanging from the facade of the Duomo cites the Psalm that the cardinal wanted inscribed on his tombstone, which was quoted by Benedict XVI in his message today.
Milan bids goodbye
to its longtime cardinal
Adapted from
Sept. 3, 2012
Though not present in person, Pope Benedict XVI led those who paid tribute today to Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini before he was buried on Monday afternoon [beneath the Altar of the Cross of San Carlo Borromeo in the Milan Cathedral.]
The Pope's message was read before the funeral Mass by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, Arch-Priest of St. Peter's Basilica, whom he had sent as his personal representative to the rite.
[Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti led government officials present.]
Some 200,000 persons visited the Cathedral during the weekend as the cardinal lay in state on an open catafalque, to pay their last respects to a man who had marked the history of the Ambrosian diocese in the latter part of the past century. A great Jesuit scholar, teacher and pastor, he led the Archdiocese of Milan, the world's largest diocese in terms of population, for more than two decades, from 1980 to his retirement in 2002.
On Monday, when the cathedral doors opened before the funeral Mass, people were already queued in great numbers, waiting and hoping for a spot inside of the church – though large viewing screens had been set up in the square for those whom the basilica could not accommodate. [The Archdiocese said 6,000 people were in the Cathedral, and another 15,000 in Cathedral Square.]
The Liturgy – which was broadcast live nationwide - was presided by the current Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Angelo Scola.
Here is a translation of the Holy Father's message:
Dear brothers and sisters,
At this time, I wish to express my closeness, in prayer and affection, to the entire Archdiocese of Milan, to the Society of Jesus, to the family and all those who esteemed and loved Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini and have come to see him off on his last journey.
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path" (Ps 119,105):The words of the Psalmist could summarize the entire existence of this generous and faithful Pastor of the Church.
He was a man of God, who not only studied Sacred Scripture, but loved it intensely, made it the light of his life, so that everything might be 'ad majorem Dei gloriam', for the greater glory of God.
Because of this, he was able to teach believers as well as those in search of Truth that the only Word that is worthy to be heeded, accepted and followed is that of God, because he shows us all the way of truth and of love.
He had a great openness of spirit, never refusing encounter and dialog with everyone, responding concretely to the Apostle's invitation "to always be ready to respond to whoever asks you the reason for the hope that is in you" (1Pt 3,15).
He had a spirit of profound pastoral charity, in line with his episcopal motto, Pro veritate adversa diligere (For the sake of truth, embrace adversity); attentive to every situation, especially the most difficult; lovingly close to whoever was at a loss, in poverty or suffering.
In a homily during his long ministry in the service of this Ambrosian Archdiocese, he prayed: "We ask you, Lord, that you make us spring water for others, bread broken for our brothers, light for those who walk in darkness, life for those who are groping in the shadows of death. Lord, be life for the world, lead us to your Passover. Together we will walk towards you, we shall carry your cross, we shall savor the communion with your resurrection. With you, we shall walk towards the heavenly Jerusalem, towards the Father" (Homily, March 29, 1980).
May the Lord, who led Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini through all his life, welcome this tireless servant of the Gospel and the Church to the heavenly Jerusalem.
To all present and all who mourn his passing, I offer the comfort of my benediction.
From Castel Gandolfo
September 3, 2012
As it did in announcing his death last Friday, AP had a terse report on his funeral today, which doesn't mean it did not pack as much liberal innuendo as it could, starting with the headline:
Italy hails cardinal
who wanted the Church to change
ROME, Sept. 3 (AP) - From politicians to the Pope, to rank-and-file Catholics and non-believers, Italy is bidding farewell to Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, a rare liberal voice among top churchmen who died last week after battling Parkinson's disease.
By the time his funeral began Monday in Milan, where he long served as archbishop, some 150,000 people passed by Martini's remains in the city's cathedral in tribute. Milan Cardinal Angelo Scola noted that admirers included many non-Catholics. [The Archdiocese's figure was 200,000.]
Pope Benedict XVI sent a message, read at the funeral, praising Martini's "great openness of spirit."
Martini had encouraged discussing divisive Church issues including homosexuality and priestly celibacy. In an interview published posthumously, Martini criticized the church as being `200 years behind the times' and urged radical change.
Jews praised his efforts to improve Catholic-Jewish relations.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 03/09/2012 23:52]