Folia Theologica et Canonica 11. 33/25 (2022)
Sacra theologia
14 MIHÁLY KRÁNITZ sophers, 1960; The Christian Brotherhood, 1960; Episcopal ministry and Primate, 1961). A decisive event of his life, but also of his entire theological work, was when the Cardinal Josef Frings (1942—1969) of Cologne, invited him to be his theological expert at the Second Vatican Council. As a peritus belonging to the circle of German theologians, he made a significant contribution to the precise wording of synod documents.6 At the council, the church declared itself in the dogmatic constitution Lumen gentium and formulated the Catholic principles of ecumenism in the decret Unitatis redintegratio. Both documents were published on the same day: November 24th, 1964.7 Joseph Ratzinger, representing the teaching of the council, wrote his major works corresponding to a new evangelization.8 The ecclesiological and ecumenical topics convinced him that reaching Jesus Christ can only be found in the life and tradition of the church. III. A NEW SHEPHERD IN THE VINEYARD OF THE LORD Joseph Ratzinger was appointed Archbishop of Munich-Freising by Pope Paul VI in 1977 and received the title of Cardinal. He spoke about the church in the field of theology, but he was able to serve God’s people as a spiritual guide. In 1981, Pope John Paul II invited him to the position of prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.9 The clear formulation of the faith of the church is the result of the work of a circle of theologians led by him: The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992). It was due to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger’s theological preparation that the joint declaration on justification was signed in Augsburg in 1999 as a outcome of the Roman Catholic-Lutheran dialogue. In 2006, the Methodist World Council, and in 2017 the World Community of Reformed Churches and the Anglican Communion joined this declaration. So far, five major churches support the joint statement. Another significant achievement of the defender of the faith was the apostolic constitution Anglicanorum coetibus. Joseph Ratzinger allowed significant groups of Anglicans to unite with Rome. 6 Lukács, L., Az igazság munkatársa. Joseph Ratzinger - XVI. Benedek pápa élete és műve (Co-worker of the Truth. Joseph Ratzinger - Benedict XVI. The life and work of Pope Benedict), Budapest 2016. 223: “Ratzinger was one of the progressive theologians. He welcomed the initiative of Pope John XXIII, who stated in his speech opening the council that he did not expect the scholastic refinement of some tenets from the council, but the renewal of the entire Church.” 7 Trippen, N., Joseph Ratzinger mint a II. Vatikáni Zsinat közreműködője (Joseph Ratzinger as a contributor to the Second Vatican Council), in Communio (2007/1-2) 3-7. 8 Ratzinger, J., Einführung in das Christentum, München 1968. 9 Cf. Tornielli, A., Ratzinger, custode della fede, Casale Monferrato 2002.
