Giacomo Cardinal Biffi
Encyclopedia
Giacomo Biffi is an Italian
Cardinal
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the Cardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of Bologna having served as archbishop from 1984 to 2003, and was elevated to the cardinalate
in 1985.
, and studied at the seminaries
of the Archdiocese of Milan
. He was ordained
to the priesthood
by Cardinal Archbishop Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
, O.S.B.
, on 23 December 1950. From 1951 to 1960, Biffi taught dogmatic theology
at the Seminary of Milan, also publishing numerous works on theology
, catechetics
and meditation
. He received a doctorate in theology
from the Faculty of Theology at Venegono
in 1955; his thesis
was entitled: "La colpa e la libertà nell’odierna condizione umana."
From 1960 to 1975, he did pastoral
work in the Archdiocese of Milan, serving as a parish priest
at Santi Martiri Anauniani in Legnano
(1960–1969) and later Sant'Andrea in Milan (1969–1975). Biffi became Episcopal Vicar
for Culture in 1974, and a canon
theologian of the metropolitan
chapter
of Milan on 1 February 1975. He also served as director of the Istituto Lombardo di Pastorale and the Commission for the Ambrosian Rite
.
On 7 December 1975, Biffi was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
of Milan and Titular Bishop
of Fidenae by Pope Paul VI
. He received his episcopal consecration
on 11 January 1976 from Cardinal Giovanni Colombo, with Bishops Bernardo Citterio and Libero Tresoldi
serving as co-consecrators
. Within the Italian Episcopal Conference
, he served on commissions for doctrine, catechetics, culture and liturgy.
Following the sudden death of Enrico Manfredini, Biffi was named Archbishop of Bologna on 19 April 1984, being installed
as such on the following 1 June. He was later elected President
of the Episcopal Conference
of Emilia-Romagna
on 7 July 1984. Pope John Paul II
created him Cardinal-Priest
of Santi Giovanni Evangelista e Petronio
in the consistory
of 25 May 1985. Biffi preached the Lent
spiritual exercises for the pope
and Roman Curia
in 1989. He retired from the governance of the archdiocese in December 2003, being succeeded by Carlo Caffarra.
Biffi was one of the cardinal electors
who participated in the 2005 papal conclave
that selected Pope Benedict XVI
. According to a leaked diary, he received one vote on the fourth ballot. In 2008, he turned 80 and lost the ability to participate in future conclaves.
would most likely be a prominent philanthropist promoting the ideas of ecumenism, vegetarianism, and pacifism. Many of these predictions originate from the 19th century Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov
, in whom Biffi is well-studied. Biffi believes ecumenicism promotes the dilution of Catholic doctrine (a view common among conservative Catholics), thereby encouraging acceptance of the Antichrist.
He also holds views that, while conservative, are in agreement with the Catholic teaching on homosexual acts, freemasonry, and feminism. Biffi has stated that an "ideology of homosexuality" threatens to marginalize whoever disagrees with the homosexual agenda
, and that Catholics must prepare for persecution by homosexual activists and their allies.
Biffi has stated that the Church should be "exceedingly rich", that clergy and parishioners should be accepting of the Church's wealth, and that Catholics should literally impoverish themselves donating to the church, thereby following Christ's example of poverty.
Cardinal Biffi also once said that the Italian government should favour Catholic immigrants to offset the number of Muslim
immigrants to protect Italy's "national identity". He has denounced journalists as "rats".
In 2007, Biffi published Memorie e digressioni di un italiano cardinale (Memoirs and digressions of an Italian cardinal), expounding on many of his views.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
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...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He is the Cardinal-Archbishop Emeritus of Bologna having served as archbishop from 1984 to 2003, and was elevated to the cardinalate
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 1985.
Biography
Biffi was born in MilanMilan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, and studied at the seminaries
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
of the Archdiocese of Milan
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milan
The Archdiocese of Milan is a metropolitan see of the Catholic Church in Italy. It has long maintained its own rite: the Ambrosian rite. It is led by the Archbishop of Milan who serves as metropolitan to the dioceses of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Crema, Cremona, Lodi, Mantova, Pavia, and Vigevano.The...
. He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
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....
by Cardinal Archbishop Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster
Alfredo Ildefonso Schuster, O.S.B. was a Benedictine monk and Cardinal Archbishop of Milan during World War II...
, O.S.B.
Order of Saint Benedict
The Order of Saint Benedict is a Roman Catholic religious order of independent monastic communities that observe the Rule of St. Benedict. Within the order, each individual community maintains its own autonomy, while the organization as a whole exists to represent their mutual interests...
, on 23 December 1950. From 1951 to 1960, Biffi taught dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology
Dogmatic theology is that part of theology dealing with the theoretical truths of faith concerning God and his works, especially the official theology recognized by an organized Church body, such as the Roman Catholic Church, Dutch Reformed Church, etc...
at the Seminary of Milan, also publishing numerous works on theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, catechetics
Catechism
A catechism , i.e. to indoctrinate) is a summary or exposition of doctrine, traditionally used in Christian religious teaching from New Testament times to the present...
and meditation
Christian meditation
Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditārī, which has a range of meanings including to reflect on, to study and to practice...
. He received a doctorate in theology
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Theology is a terminal academic degree in theology. It is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy....
from the Faculty of Theology at Venegono
Venegono Inferiore
Venegono Inferiore is a comune in the Province of Varese in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 35 km northwest of Milan and about 11 km southeast of Varese...
in 1955; his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
was entitled: "La colpa e la libertà nell’odierna condizione umana."
From 1960 to 1975, he did pastoral
Parish (Catholic Church)
In the Roman Catholic Church, a parish is the lowest ecclesiastical geographical subdivision: from ecclesiastical province to diocese to deanery to parish.-Requirements:A parish needs two things under common law to become a parish...
work in the Archdiocese of Milan, serving as a parish priest
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
at Santi Martiri Anauniani in Legnano
Legnano
Legnano is an Italian town and comune with 59.147 inhabitants in the province of Milan, about from Milan.It's crossed by the river Olona, and it's the 13th town for inhabitants in Lombardy....
(1960–1969) and later Sant'Andrea in Milan (1969–1975). Biffi became Episcopal Vicar
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
for Culture in 1974, and a canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
theologian of the metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
chapter
Chapter (religion)
Chapter designates certain corporate ecclesiastical bodies in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Nordic Lutheran churches....
of Milan on 1 February 1975. He also served as director of the Istituto Lombardo di Pastorale and the Commission for the Ambrosian Rite
Ambrosian Rite
Ambrosian Rite, also called the Milanese Rite, is a Catholic liturgical Western Rite. The rite is named after Saint Ambrose, a bishop of Milan in the fourth century...
.
On 7 December 1975, Biffi was appointed Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Milan and Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Fidenae by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on 11 January 1976 from Cardinal Giovanni Colombo, with Bishops Bernardo Citterio and Libero Tresoldi
Libero Tresoldi
Libero Tresoldi was an Italian prelate, who was bishop of Crema.-Biography:Born at Rivolta d'Adda, he later moved to Milan with his family....
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. Within the Italian Episcopal Conference
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana
The Italian Episcopal Conference is the episcopal conference of the Italian bishops of the Catholic Church and as such is the official assembly of all the bishops in Italy. The conference was founded in 1971 and carries out certain tasks as well as having authority assigned to setting the...
, he served on commissions for doctrine, catechetics, culture and liturgy.
Following the sudden death of Enrico Manfredini, Biffi was named Archbishop of Bologna on 19 April 1984, being installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
as such on the following 1 June. He was later elected President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the Episcopal Conference
Episcopal Conference
In the Roman Catholic Church, an Episcopal Conference, Conference of Bishops, or National Conference of Bishops is an official assembly of all the bishops of a given territory...
of Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
on 7 July 1984. Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
created him Cardinal-Priest
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...
of Santi Giovanni Evangelista e Petronio
Santi Giovanni Evangelista e Petronio
Santi Giovanni e Petronio dei Bolognesi , the national church of the Bolognese on the Via del Mascherone, Rome. It was first built in 1186 or earlier but, when it was given to the Bolognese community in Rome by Pope Gregory XIII in 1581, they had it rebuilt by the Bolognese architect Ottaviano...
in the consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
of 25 May 1985. Biffi preached the Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
spiritual exercises for the pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and 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...
in 1989. He retired from the governance of the archdiocese in December 2003, being succeeded by Carlo Caffarra.
Biffi was one of the cardinal electors
Cardinal electors in Papal conclave, 2005
The following is a list of the 115 cardinal electors in the 2005 papal conclave, arranged by region and, within each region, alphabetically. Two cardinals who were eligible to participate in the conclave, namely Adolfo Suarez Rivera and Jaime Sin, did not attend due to ill health.-Roman...
who participated in the 2005 papal conclave
Papal conclave, 2005
The Papal conclave of 2005 was convened as a result of the death of Pope John Paul II on 2 April 2005. After his death, the cardinals who were in Rome met and set a date for the beginning of the conclave to elect John Paul's successor. The conclave began on 18 April 2005 and ended on the following...
that selected Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
. According to a leaked diary, he received one vote on the fourth ballot. In 2008, he turned 80 and lost the ability to participate in future conclaves.
Views
In 2000, Biffi told a Bologna conference that the AntichristAntichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
would most likely be a prominent philanthropist promoting the ideas of ecumenism, vegetarianism, and pacifism. Many of these predictions originate from the 19th century Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov
Vladimir Solovyov (philosopher)
Vladimir Sergeyevich Solovyov was a Russian philosopher, poet, pamphleteer, literary critic, who played a significant role in the development of Russian philosophy and poetry at the end of the 19th century...
, in whom Biffi is well-studied. Biffi believes ecumenicism promotes the dilution of Catholic doctrine (a view common among conservative Catholics), thereby encouraging acceptance of the Antichrist.
He also holds views that, while conservative, are in agreement with the Catholic teaching on homosexual acts, freemasonry, and feminism. Biffi has stated that an "ideology of homosexuality" threatens to marginalize whoever disagrees with the homosexual agenda
Homosexual agenda
Homosexual agenda is a pejorative term used by some conservatives in the United States to describe the advocacy of cultural acceptance and normalization of non-heterosexual orientations and relationships...
, and that Catholics must prepare for persecution by homosexual activists and their allies.
Biffi has stated that the Church should be "exceedingly rich", that clergy and parishioners should be accepting of the Church's wealth, and that Catholics should literally impoverish themselves donating to the church, thereby following Christ's example of poverty.
Cardinal Biffi also once said that the Italian government should favour Catholic immigrants to offset the number of Muslim
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
immigrants to protect Italy's "national identity". He has denounced journalists as "rats".
In 2007, Biffi published Memorie e digressioni di un italiano cardinale (Memoirs and digressions of an Italian cardinal), expounding on many of his views.