Umberto Betti
Encyclopedia
Umberto Betti, O.F.M.
, S.T.D.
(7 March 1922 – 1 April 2009) was an Italian
priest of the Order of Friars Minor who on 24 November 2007 was appointed a Cardinal-Deacon
of the Roman Catholic Church
.
Betti was born in Pieve Santo Stefano
, Province of Arezzo
. He began his novitiate in the Province of St. Francis Stigmatised in Tuscany on 23 July 1937, made his first profession on the 2 August 1938 and his solemn profession on 31 December 1943. He was ordained priest on 5 April 1946.
He obtained his doctorate
in Dogmatic Theology and followed specialised studies at the Catholic University of Louvain in 1951-1951, after which he taught dogmatic theology in the order's study houses in Siena and Fiesole, and again in 1963-1964, after which he was appointed professor at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, where he taught until 1991.
He was a consultant to the Preparatory Theological Commission for the Vatican II Council, in which he was also an expert. He contributed to the writing of the Dogmatic Constitutions Dei Verbum and Lumen Gentium, and held several posts in the Roman Curia. He was Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical Lateran University
from 1991 to 1995.
On 24 November 2007, Betti was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of Ss. Vito, Modesto e Crescenzia
. He died aged 87 at the Provincial Infirmary of St. Francis on the hill of Fiesole, where he had lived since the year 2000.
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
, S.T.D.
Doctor of Sacred Theology
The Doctor of Sacred Theology is the final theological degree in the pontifical university system of the Catholic Church....
(7 March 1922 – 1 April 2009) was an Italian
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...
priest of the Order of Friars Minor who on 24 November 2007 was appointed a Cardinal-Deacon
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...
.
Betti was born in Pieve Santo Stefano
Pieve Santo Stefano
Pieve Santo Stefano is a comune in the Province of Arezzo in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 70 km east of Florence and about 25 km northeast of Arezzo....
, Province of Arezzo
Province of Arezzo
The Province of Arezzo or Arretium is the easternmost province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Arezzo.It has an area of 3,232 km², and a total population of 323,288 in 39 comuni . At June 30, 2005, the main comuni by population are:- External links :...
. He began his novitiate in the Province of St. Francis Stigmatised in Tuscany on 23 July 1937, made his first profession on the 2 August 1938 and his solemn profession on 31 December 1943. He was ordained priest on 5 April 1946.
He obtained his 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 Dogmatic Theology and followed specialised studies at the Catholic University of Louvain in 1951-1951, after which he taught dogmatic theology in the order's study houses in Siena and Fiesole, and again in 1963-1964, after which he was appointed professor at the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, where he taught until 1991.
He was a consultant to the Preparatory Theological Commission for the Vatican II Council, in which he was also an expert. He contributed to the writing of the Dogmatic Constitutions Dei Verbum and Lumen Gentium, and held several posts in the Roman Curia. He was Rector Magnificus of the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
from 1991 to 1995.
On 24 November 2007, Betti was appointed Cardinal-Deacon of Ss. Vito, Modesto e Crescenzia
Santi Vito, Modesto e Crescenzio
Santi Vito, Modesto e Crescenzio is a Latin Rite Catholic church in Rome. It has been a titular church since 1011. According to the Liber Pontificalis, this church, known as S. Vito in Macello Martyrum, received donations from Pope Leo III. The church had been built in the immediate vicinity of...
. He died aged 87 at the Provincial Infirmary of St. Francis on the hill of Fiesole, where he had lived since the year 2000.