Carlo Maria Martini
Encyclopedia
Carlo Maria Martini, SJ
(born 15 February 1927) is an Italian
Cardinal
of the Catholic Church. He was Archbishop of Milan
from 1980 to 2002, and was elevated to the cardinalate
in 1983.
, Piedmont
, to Leonardo an engineer
and Olga (née Maggia) Martini, and was baptized
on the following February 22. He was educated at Istituto Sociale, a school run by Jesuits in Turin. He entered the Society of Jesus
on September 25, 1944, and was ordained
to the priesthood
by Cardinal Maurilio Fossati
on July 13, 1952. Martini completed his studies in philosophy at the Jesuits House of Studies in Gallarate, in the province of Milan, and theology at the faculty of theology in Chieri. In 1958, Cardinal Martini was awarded his Doctorate in Fundamental Theology
from the Pontifical Gregorian University
, with a thesis exploring the problems of the Resurrection accounts. After some years of teaching at the faculty of Chieri he returned to Rome and earned another doctorate
in Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute
, graduating summa cum laude, with a thesis on a group of codici of the Gospel of St. Luke
.
Cardinal Martini is an exegetical and theological scholar who has written more than 40 books, and is reputed to speak 11 languages.
, a specialist Institute of the Gregorian and became its rector
in 1969. In 1978, under Pope Paul VI he was elected the Pontifical Gregorian University's rector magnificus, serving in this post from 1969 to 1978, after which he was nominated chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University
. Throughout these years he edited a number of scholarly works. Cardinal Martini became active in the scientific field by publishing various books and articles. Furthermore the Cardinal received the distinuguished honour of being the only Catholic member of the ecumenical committee that prepared the new Greek edition of the New Testament
, the Novum Testamentum Graece
. Martini is remembered for his books on spiritual exercises which have added a renewed style to the original Ignatian model.
On 29 December 1979, Pope John Paul II
appointed Martini Archbishop of Milan
, receiving his episcopal consecration
from the Pope himself the following 6 January, with Archbishop Eduardo Martínez Somalo
and Bishop Ferdinando Maggioni serving as co-consecrators
. Thus his first diocesan appointment was to one of the largest and most prominent sees
. In the consistory
of 2 February 1983, he was assigned the title of Cardinal-Priest
of S. Cecilia
.
Cardinal Martini served as Relator of the 6th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 1983. Later serving as president of the European Bishops' Conference between 1987 and 1993.
Martini was admitted as Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
in November 2000, and renowned internationally. In 1996 Martini was presented with an honorary doctorate from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Furthermore, in Spain in October 2000 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias
Award for Social Sciences.
In 2002 he reached the Church's mandatory retirement
age of 75 and was succeeded in Milan by Dionigi Tettamanzi. At the time of the 2005 conclave
, he was 78 years old and hence eligible to vote for the new pope
(being under 80). For years many progressive Catholics harboured hopes that he himself might eventually ascend the papacy
. However, when John Paul II died, most commentators believed that his election was unlikely, given his liberal reputation and the fact of his suffering from Parkinson's disease
. Nevertheless, according to La Stampa
(an Italian newspaper), he obtained more votes than Joseph Ratzinger
during the first round of the election, 40 vs. 38. Conversely, an anonymous cardinal diary stated that he never mustered more than a dozen or so votes, in contrast to another Jesuit cardinal, Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, and quickly withdrew his candidacy. Martini lost his right to vote in future conclaves
upon turning age 80 on 15 February 2007.
After his retirement Martini moved to the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem to continue his work as a biblical scholar.
members of the College of Cardinals
, and prelates in general, he has achieved widespread notice for his writings, earning him popularity in some circles, criticism in others. On occasion Martini's viewpoints have proven to be controversial, thus bringing him comparatively large amounts of media coverage.
and described the document as "theologically rather dense, peppered with quotations, and not easy to grasp".
, director of the transplant
center of the Thomas Jefferson University
Hospital in Philadelphia, Martini opined that in certain cases, the usage of condom
s might be allowable stating, "The use of condoms can, in certain situations, be a lesser evil". He stressed the particular case of married couples where one has HIV
or AIDS
. But he quickly noted that it's one thing the principle of the lesser evil in such cases, and quite another the subject who has to convey those things publicly, thus it is not up to the Church authorities to support condom use publicly, because of "the risk of promoting an irresponsible attitude". The Church is more likely to support other morally sustainable means, such as abstinence
. On another occasion the Cardinal stated that "I believe the Church's teaching has not been expressed so well... I am confident we will find some formula to state things better, so that the problem is better understood and more adapted to reality," earning him a reputation for having a more liberal stance toward contraception.
was limited.
debate said that "terminally ill patients should be given the right to refuse treatments and that the doctors who assist them should be protected by law."
in the governance of the Church. He has urged continued reflection on the structure and exercise of ecclesiatical authority.
.
published the 140 page apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
. Some interpreted this document as being an attempt to influence Catholic politicians, particularly at a time when Italian government was trying to pass legislation offering legal recognition of same sex unions
.
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...
(born 15 February 1927) is an Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
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 Catholic Church. He was Archbishop 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...
from 1980 to 2002, 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 1983.
Early life and education
Carlo Maria Martini was born in TurinTurin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, Piedmont
Piedmont
Piedmont is one of the 20 regions of Italy. It has an area of 25,402 square kilometres and a population of about 4.4 million. The capital of Piedmont is Turin. The main local language is Piedmontese. Occitan is also spoken by a minority in the Occitan Valleys situated in the Provinces of...
, to Leonardo an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and Olga (née Maggia) Martini, and was baptized
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
on the following February 22. He was educated at Istituto Sociale, a school run by Jesuits in Turin. He entered the Society of Jesus
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...
on September 25, 1944, and 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 Maurilio Fossati
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Turin
The Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Turin is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Italy. Founded in the 4th century and elevated to the dignity of an archdiocese on 21 May 1515, by Pope Leo X. Its mother church is the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist...
on July 13, 1952. Martini completed his studies in philosophy at the Jesuits House of Studies in Gallarate, in the province of Milan, and theology at the faculty of theology in Chieri. In 1958, Cardinal Martini was awarded his Doctorate in Fundamental 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 Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, with a thesis exploring the problems of the Resurrection accounts. After some years of teaching at the faculty of Chieri he returned to Rome and earned another doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Scripture at 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...
, graduating summa cum laude, with a thesis on a group of codici of the Gospel of St. Luke
Gospel of Luke
The Gospel According to Luke , commonly shortened to the Gospel of Luke or simply Luke, is the third and longest of the four canonical Gospels. This synoptic gospel is an account of the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. It details his story from the events of his birth to his Ascension.The...
.
Cardinal Martini is an exegetical and theological scholar who has written more than 40 books, and is reputed to speak 11 languages.
Career
After completing his studies Cardinal Martini quickly pursued a successful academic career. In 1962, he was given the Chair of Textual Criticism at the Pontifical Biblical InstitutePontifical 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...
, a specialist Institute of the Gregorian and became its rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
in 1969. In 1978, under Pope Paul VI he was elected the Pontifical Gregorian University's rector magnificus, serving in this post from 1969 to 1978, after which he was nominated chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
. Throughout these years he edited a number of scholarly works. Cardinal Martini became active in the scientific field by publishing various books and articles. Furthermore the Cardinal received the distinuguished honour of being the only Catholic member of the ecumenical committee that prepared the new Greek edition of 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....
, the Novum Testamentum Graece
Novum Testamentum Graece
Novum Testamentum Graece is the Latin name editions of the original Greek-language version of the New Testament.The first printed edition was the Complutensian Polyglot Bible by Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, printed in 1514, but not published until 1520...
. Martini is remembered for his books on spiritual exercises which have added a renewed style to the original Ignatian model.
On 29 December 1979, 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 ...
appointed Martini Archbishop 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...
, receiving 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....
from the Pope himself the following 6 January, with Archbishop Eduardo Martínez Somalo
Eduardo Martínez Somalo
Eduardo Martínez Somalo is a Spanish Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life and ordination:Martínez Somalo was born in the small town of Baños de Río Tobía in La Rioja, Spain, and had five brothers and four sisters...
and Bishop Ferdinando Maggioni 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...
. Thus his first diocesan appointment was to one of the largest and most prominent sees
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
. In the consistory
Consistory
-Antiquity:Originally, the Latin word consistorium meant simply 'sitting together', just as the Greek synedrion ....
of 2 February 1983, he was assigned the title of 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 S. Cecilia
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere is a 5th century church in Rome, Italy, devoted to Saint Cecilia, in the Trastevere rione.-History:The first church on this site was founded probably in the 3rd century, by Pope Urban I; it was devoted to the Roman martyr Cecilia, martyred it is said under Marcus...
.
Cardinal Martini served as Relator of the 6th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 1983. Later serving as president of the European Bishops' Conference between 1987 and 1993.
Martini was admitted as Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences
Pontifical Academy of Sciences
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is a scientific academy of the Vatican, founded in 1936 by Pope Pius XI. It is placed under the protection of the reigning Supreme Pontiff. Its aim is to promote the progress of the mathematical, physical and natural sciences and the study of related...
in November 2000, and renowned internationally. In 1996 Martini was presented with an honorary doctorate from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Furthermore, in Spain in October 2000 he was awarded the Prince of Asturias
Prince of Asturias
Prince of Asturias is the historical title given to the heir to the Spanish throne. It was also the title under the earlier Kingdom of Castile. The current Prince of Asturias is Felipe, son of King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofía...
Award for Social Sciences.
In 2002 he reached the Church's mandatory retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
age of 75 and was succeeded in Milan by Dionigi Tettamanzi. At the time of the 2005 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...
, he was 78 years old and hence eligible to vote for the new 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...
(being under 80). For years many progressive Catholics harboured hopes that he himself might eventually ascend the papacy
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...
. However, when John Paul II died, most commentators believed that his election was unlikely, given his liberal reputation and the fact of his suffering from Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
. Nevertheless, according to La Stampa
La Stampa
La Stampa is one of the best-known, most influential and most widely sold Italian daily newspapers. Published in Turin, it is distributed in Italy and other European nations. The current owner is the Fiat Group.-History:...
(an Italian newspaper), he obtained more votes than Joseph Ratzinger
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...
during the first round of the election, 40 vs. 38. Conversely, an anonymous cardinal diary stated that he never mustered more than a dozen or so votes, in contrast to another Jesuit cardinal, Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, and quickly withdrew his candidacy. Martini lost his right to vote in future conclaves
Papal conclave
A papal conclave is a meeting of the College of Cardinals convened to elect a Bishop of Rome, who then becomes the Pope during a period of vacancy in the papal office. The Pope is considered by Roman Catholics to be the apostolic successor of Saint Peter and earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church...
upon turning age 80 on 15 February 2007.
After his retirement Martini moved to the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem to continue his work as a biblical scholar.
Views
Often considered to be one of the more liberalLiberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
members of the College of Cardinals
College of Cardinals
The College of Cardinals is the body of all cardinals of the Catholic Church.A function of the college is to advise the pope about church matters when he summons them to an ordinary consistory. It also convenes on the death or abdication of a pope as a papal conclave to elect a successor...
, and prelates in general, he has achieved widespread notice for his writings, earning him popularity in some circles, criticism in others. On occasion Martini's viewpoints have proven to be controversial, thus bringing him comparatively large amounts of media coverage.
Dominus Iesus
In 2000 he criticized the declaration Dominus IesusDominus Iesus
Dominus Iesus is a declaration by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It was approved in a Plenary meeting of the Congregation, and bears the signature of its then Prefect, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, and of its then Secretary, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, now...
and described the document as "theologically rather dense, peppered with quotations, and not easy to grasp".
Contraception
In April 2006, in response to a very specific question from physician and politician Ignazio MarinoIgnazio Marino
Ignazio Marino is an Italian surgeon, specialising in liver transplantation, and politician in the Democratic Party. He is a member of the Italian Senate, being first elected in 2006.-Early life:...
, director of the transplant
Organ transplant
Organ transplantation is the moving of an organ from one body to another or from a donor site on the patient's own body, for the purpose of replacing the recipient's damaged or absent organ. The emerging field of regenerative medicine is allowing scientists and engineers to create organs to be...
center of the Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a private health sciences university in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The university consists of six constituent colleges and schools, Jefferson Medical College, Jefferson College of Graduate Studies, Jefferson School of Health...
Hospital in Philadelphia, Martini opined that in certain cases, the usage of condom
Condom
A condom is a barrier device most commonly used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy and spreading sexually transmitted diseases . It is put on a man's erect penis and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body of a sexual partner...
s might be allowable stating, "The use of condoms can, in certain situations, be a lesser evil". He stressed the particular case of married couples where one has HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
or AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. But he quickly noted that it's one thing the principle of the lesser evil in such cases, and quite another the subject who has to convey those things publicly, thus it is not up to the Church authorities to support condom use publicly, because of "the risk of promoting an irresponsible attitude". The Church is more likely to support other morally sustainable means, such as abstinence
Abstinence
Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...
. On another occasion the Cardinal stated that "I believe the Church's teaching has not been expressed so well... I am confident we will find some formula to state things better, so that the problem is better understood and more adapted to reality," earning him a reputation for having a more liberal stance toward contraception.
Beginning of human life
The Cardinal's position on the start of a distinct human life during the fertilization of oocytes was rebuked by certain Vatican officials. Some of Martini's other positions may have frustrated Church leaders, but official response from the Roman CuriaRoman 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...
was limited.
Right to die
Cardinal Martini, speaking about the right to dieRight to die
The right to die is the ethical or institutional entitlement of the individual to commit suicide or to undergo voluntary euthanasia. Possession of this right is often understood to mean that a person with a terminal illness should be allowed to commit suicide or assisted suicide or to decline...
debate said that "terminally ill patients should be given the right to refuse treatments and that the doctors who assist them should be protected by law."
Collegiality of bishops
He has called for greater collegialityCollegiality
Collegiality is the relationship between colleagues.Colleagues are those explicitly united in a common purpose and respecting each other's abilities to work toward that purpose...
in the governance of the Church. He has urged continued reflection on the structure and exercise of ecclesiatical authority.
Role of women in the Church
He has demonstrated a desire for further theological enquiry on issues relating to human sexuality and the role of women in the Church. He has expressed support for the ordination of female deaconsOrdination of women
Ordination in general religious usage is the process by which a person is consecrated . The ordination of women is a regular practice among some major religious groups, as it was of several religions of antiquity...
.
Sacramentum Caritatis
In March 2007 he openly criticised the attitude of the Church authorities, whilst speaking at the basilica of the Nativity to a congregation of over 1,300 visitors, he remarked that "The Church does not give orders." Martini stated that "It is necessary to listen to others, and when speaking to use terms that they understand." These remarks came days after Pope Benedict XVIPope 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...
published the 140 page apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis
Sacramentum Caritatis
Sacramentum Caritatis is the first post-synodal apostolic exhortation by Pope Benedict XVI. It was signed February 22, 2007.The document expounded on the sacrament of the Eucharist...
. Some interpreted this document as being an attempt to influence Catholic politicians, particularly at a time when Italian government was trying to pass legislation offering legal recognition of same sex unions
Same-sex union
Same-sex unions are legal or religious unions between two persons of the same sex.In legal contexts, their recognition varies based upon the region in which the union is formed. Some regions allow same-sex marriage, civil marriage between two persons of the same sex. Others recognize civil unions...
.
Social justice
Furthermore, he has promoted combating social injustice, often calling for greater action to be taken in assisting immigrants and minorities. Martini wishes that the Church rekindle a "burning fire in the heart" of men and women today.Catholic schools
Martini is a stringent supporter of Catholic school and many times he spoke in favour of state contribution to Catholic school. He said that one hour a week of teaching of Catholic religion in the Italian high school is not enough and the time dedicated to religious teaching in the school has to be increased.External links
- CV from the Archdiocese of Milan website (Italian only)
- Biography from the Vatican News Service
- GBPress.net The Pontifical Biblical Institute where he teaches
- Biography from Catholic Pages
- BBC article on Cardinal Martini
- http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bmarcm.html
See also
- Our Lady of La SaletteOur Lady of La SaletteLa Salette is a small mountaintop village near Grenoble, France. It is most noted for an apparition of the Virgin Mary that was reported in 1846 by two shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, followed by numerous accounts of miraculous healings....