Albert Vanhoye
Encyclopedia
Albert Vanhoye is a priest of the Society of Jesus
(the Jesuits) and an exegete. He was created cardinal
in 2006. He gave the 2008 Lenten Papal and Curial Retreat.
in 1941 and studied at Jesuit Scholasticates in France
and Belgium
, as well as obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in sacred scripture with a thesis on the Letter to the Hebrews
, from the Pontifical Biblical Institute
(the Biblicum) in Rome
. He was ordained priest
on 25 July 1954.
, he was called to Rome in 1963 to be Professor of Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, serving as its Rector for 6 years (1984-1990). He retired in 1998. His research and teaching dealt with the New Testament
Letters, in particular the Letter to the Hebrews
, on which he is acknowledged as possibly the leading world expert. During his years at the Biblicum he directed 29 theses in his field. For a number of years he was also the Secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
, under the then President, Cardinal Ratzinger.
After 1998 he remained a Consultor for a number of dicasteries of the Roman Curia
until his appointment to the College of Cardinals.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
(the Jesuits) and an exegete. He was created cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
in 2006. He gave the 2008 Lenten Papal and Curial Retreat.
Formation and studies
Born on 23 July 1923 at Hazebrouck, France, Albert Vanhoye entered the Society of JesusSociety of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in 1941 and studied at Jesuit Scholasticates in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, as well as obtaining a licentiate and doctorate in sacred scripture with a thesis on the Letter to the Hebrews
Epistle to the Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the books in the New Testament. Its author is not known.The primary purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Christians to persevere in the face of persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the Person of Christ and his...
, from the Pontifical Biblical Institute
Pontifical Biblical Institute
The Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy is an institution of the Holy See run by the Jesuits that offers instruction at the university level...
(the Biblicum) in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. He was ordained priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on 25 July 1954.
Teaching and research
After a stint at the French Jesuit study house of ChantillyChantilly, Oise
Chantilly is a small city in northern France. It is designated municipally as a commune in the department of Oise.It is in the metropolitan area of Paris 38.4 km...
, he was called to Rome in 1963 to be Professor of Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, serving as its Rector for 6 years (1984-1990). He retired in 1998. His research and teaching dealt with the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
Letters, in particular the Letter to the Hebrews
Epistle to the Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the books in the New Testament. Its author is not known.The primary purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Christians to persevere in the face of persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the Person of Christ and his...
, on which he is acknowledged as possibly the leading world expert. During his years at the Biblicum he directed 29 theses in his field. For a number of years he was also the Secretary of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
Pontifical Biblical Commission
The Pontifical Biblical Commission is an organism established within the Roman Curia to ensure the proper interpretation and defense of Sacred Scripture.-The Commission 1901-1971:...
, under the then President, Cardinal Ratzinger.
After 1998 he remained a Consultor for a number of dicasteries of the Roman Curia
Roman Curia
The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...
until his appointment to the College of Cardinals.