Angelo Amato
Encyclopedia
Angelo Amato, S.D.B.
(born 8 June 1938) is a cardinal of the Catholic Church and currently serves (as of 2010) as the Prefect
of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
. He previously served as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
from 2002 to 2008.
Then he studied philosophy
and theology
in Rome
. He was ordained a priest on 22 December 1967 becoming a member of the Salesians of Saint John Bosco. He studied at the Salesian Pontifical University
gaining a licenitate in philosophy. There he specialised in Christology
. In 1972 he began to teach at the Salesian as an assistant. In 1974 he obtained his doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University
with a dissertation on The Tridentine pronouncements on the need for sacramental confession in canons 6-9, Session XIV.
In the years 1978 to 1979 he was a fellow of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
in Thessaloniki in Greece
, at the monastery
Orthodox Moní Vlatádon, home of the renowned Institute of patriarchal patristic studies. In 1988 he spent a sabbatical year in Washington, DC, USA, where he began to study the theology of religions.
, and for twelve years (from 1981 to 1987 and then 1993 to 1997) was dean
of the Faculty of Theology.
He served as a consultor
to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
as well as for the Congregation for Bishops
.
His publications include: Trinità in contesto, Biblioteca di Scienze Religiose 110 (Roma: LAS, 1994); La Catechesi al traguardo. Studi sul Catechismo della Chiesa Cattolica, a cura di Angelo Amato, Enrico dal Covolo e Achille M. Triacca, Biblioteca di Scienze Religiose 127 (Roma: LAS, 1997); Il vangelo del Padre (Bologna: EDB, 1998); Gesù il Signore. Saggio di cristologia, Corso di Teologia Sistematica 4 (Bologna: EDB, 1999); Maria e la Trinità. Spiritualità mariana ed esistenza cristiana - Alma Mater (Roma: San Paolo Edizioni, 2000); Il celibato di Gesù (Città del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2010); I santi della chiesa (Città del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2010).
appointed him as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Titular Archbishop of Sila. He was consecrated bishop on 6 January 2003 by Pope John Paul II with archbishops Leonardo Sandri
and Antonio Maria Vegliò
serving as co-consecrators.
In addition to his role as CDF Secretary, Amato served as a consultor to the Pontifical Councils for Christian Unity
and, Interreligious Dialogue
.
The letter, sent by the Commissioner of the Holy Office to Francesco Barberini
in 1633, expressed the Pope's concern that the trial of the scientist accused of heresy be concluded quickly as his health was poor. Archbishop Amato told the Italian weekly magazine Famiglia Cristiana
that the letter proved that the church's attitude to the great astronomer was benign.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vatican-rewrites-history-to-insist-it-did-not-persecute-galileo-536789.html
, who until his election had been Prefect of the Congregation of which Amato continued to be Secretary until 9 July 2008, when Pope Benedict named him Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
. Thus, Amato oversees the process which leads to the canonisation of saints, which includes preparing a case, including the approval of certified miracles. The case is presented to the pope
, who decides whether or not to proceed with beatification or canonisation. Amato is the second CDF Secretary to lead the Causes of Saints dicastery, the first being Alberto Bovone
.
On 6 July 2010 he was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
. On 16 October 2010 he was appointed by Pope Benedict as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
for a five year renewable term. It will be renewed until his 80th birthday. The appointments are for five years and are renewable. Being resident in Rome, he is invited to attend not only the plenary meetings of those departments, which in principle are held every year, but also the ordinary meetings.
Amato was created and proclaimed Cardinal-Deacon of S. Maria in Aquiro by Pope Benedict XVI
in the consistory of 20 November 2010. On 29 December 2010 Cardinal Amato was appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
.
On Friday 14 January 2011, Pope Benedict signed a decree attributing a miracle to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, clearing the way for his beatification
, which is to take place ON 1 May 2011. Cardinal Amato said that the "Papal dispensation of the 5-year waiting period before opening a cause, and the second was the placing of the cause on a 'fast track' that by-passed the waiting list. There were, however, no corners cut with regard to the rigor and accuracy of procedure. The case was treated like any other, following all the steps prescribed by the law of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On the contrary, if I may speak further to one of my first observations: precisely in order to honor the dignity and the memory of this great Pope, to avoid any doubt and overcome any difficulties, the case was subjected to particularly careful scrutiny."
Salesians of Don Bosco
The Salesians of Don Bosco is a Roman Catholic religious order founded in the late nineteenth century by Saint John Bosco in an attempt, through works of charity, to care for the young and poor children of the industrial revolution...
(born 8 June 1938) is a cardinal of the Catholic Church and currently serves (as of 2010) as the Prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
. He previously served as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
from 2002 to 2008.
Education
He entered the Salesians, after completing his novitiate at a Salesian high school. Salesian Pontifical University, Rome (licenciate in philosophy); Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome (doctorate in theology, 1974).Then he studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and 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...
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 a priest on 22 December 1967 becoming a member of the Salesians of Saint John Bosco. He studied at the Salesian Pontifical University
Salesian Pontifical University
The Salesian Pontifical University is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesian order...
gaining a licenitate in philosophy. There he specialised in Christology
Christology
Christology is the field of study within Christian theology which is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Primary considerations include the relationship of Jesus' nature and person with the nature...
. In 1972 he began to teach at the Salesian as an assistant. In 1974 he obtained his doctorate at 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 dissertation on The Tridentine pronouncements on the need for sacramental confession in canons 6-9, Session XIV.
In the years 1978 to 1979 he was a fellow of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople , part of the wider Orthodox Church, is one of the fourteen autocephalous churches within the communion of Orthodox Christianity...
in Thessaloniki in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, at the monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
Orthodox Moní Vlatádon, home of the renowned Institute of patriarchal patristic studies. In 1988 he spent a sabbatical year in Washington, DC, USA, where he began to study the theology of religions.
Academic life
He was professor of dogmatics at the Salesian Pontifical UniversitySalesian Pontifical University
The Salesian Pontifical University is a pontifical university in Italy run by the Salesian order...
, and for twelve years (from 1981 to 1987 and then 1993 to 1997) was dean
Dean (education)
In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
of the Faculty of Theology.
He served as a consultor
Consultor
A consultor is one who gives counsel, i.e. a counselor.In the Catholic Church, it is a specific title for various advisory positions:*in the Roman Curia, a consultor is a specially appointed expert who may be called upon for advice desired by a department...
to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962–1965.Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement...
as well as for the Congregation for Bishops
Congregation for Bishops
The Congregation for Bishops is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the selection of new bishops that are not in mission territories or those areas that come under the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches who deal with the Eastern Catholics, pending papal...
.
His publications include: Trinità in contesto, Biblioteca di Scienze Religiose 110 (Roma: LAS, 1994); La Catechesi al traguardo. Studi sul Catechismo della Chiesa Cattolica, a cura di Angelo Amato, Enrico dal Covolo e Achille M. Triacca, Biblioteca di Scienze Religiose 127 (Roma: LAS, 1997); Il vangelo del Padre (Bologna: EDB, 1998); Gesù il Signore. Saggio di cristologia, Corso di Teologia Sistematica 4 (Bologna: EDB, 1999); Maria e la Trinità. Spiritualità mariana ed esistenza cristiana - Alma Mater (Roma: San Paolo Edizioni, 2000); Il celibato di Gesù (Città del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2010); I santi della chiesa (Città del Vaticano: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2010).
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
On 19 December 2002, Pope John Paul IIPope 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 him as Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and Titular Archbishop of Sila. He was consecrated bishop on 6 January 2003 by Pope John Paul II with archbishops Leonardo Sandri
Leonardo Sandri
Leonardo Sandri is a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the current Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches in the Roman Curia, having previously served as Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela , Apostolic Nuncio to Mexico and Substitute for General Affairs...
and Antonio Maria Vegliò
Antonio Maria Vegliò
Antonio Maria Vegliò is an Italian Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, who has served as Vatican diplomat and in the Roman Curia...
serving as co-consecrators.
In addition to his role as CDF Secretary, Amato served as a consultor to the Pontifical Councils for Christian Unity
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962–1965.Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement...
and, Interreligious Dialogue
Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is a dicastery of the Roman Curia, erected by Pope Paul VI on 19 May 1964 as the Secretariat for Non-Christians, and renamed by Pope John Paul II on 28 June 1988....
.
Galileo Galilei treatment
The belief that the Catholic Church persecuted Galileo Galilei for pointing out that the Earth goes round the Sun was quite wrong, the Secretary of the Vatican's Doctrinal Congregation, Archbishop Amato claimed. Citing a letter recently discovered in the Vatican's archive, Archbishop Amato said it proved the church had treated him very well.The letter, sent by the Commissioner of the Holy Office to Francesco Barberini
Francesco Barberini (seniore)
Francesco Barberini was an Italian Catholic Cardinal. The nephew of Pope Urban VIII , he benefited immensely from the nepotism practiced by his uncle...
in 1633, expressed the Pope's concern that the trial of the scientist accused of heresy be concluded quickly as his health was poor. Archbishop Amato told the Italian weekly magazine Famiglia Cristiana
Famiglia Cristiana
Famiglia Cristiana is an Italian weekly magazine. It was founded in 1931, and is currently owned by Edizioni San Paolo, a Roman Catholic publishing group....
that the letter proved that the church's attitude to the great astronomer was benign.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/vatican-rewrites-history-to-insist-it-did-not-persecute-galileo-536789.html
Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
After the 2005 Papal conclave, Amato was the first person received in private audience by the new 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...
, who until his election had been Prefect of the Congregation of which Amato continued to be Secretary until 9 July 2008, when Pope Benedict named him Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
. Thus, Amato oversees the process which leads to the canonisation of saints, which includes preparing a case, including the approval of certified miracles. The case is presented to 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...
, who decides whether or not to proceed with beatification or canonisation. Amato is the second CDF Secretary to lead the Causes of Saints dicastery, the first being Alberto Bovone
Alberto Bovone
Alberto Bovone was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints from 1995 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1998....
.
On 6 July 2010 he was appointed a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is the congregation of the Roman Curia that handles most affairs relating to liturgical practices of the Latin Catholic Church as distinct from the Eastern Catholic Churches and also some technical matters relating to the...
. On 16 October 2010 he was appointed by Pope Benedict as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
for a five year renewable term. It will be renewed until his 80th birthday. The appointments are for five years and are renewable. Being resident in Rome, he is invited to attend not only the plenary meetings of those departments, which in principle are held every year, but also the ordinary meetings.
Amato was created and proclaimed Cardinal-Deacon of S. Maria in Aquiro by 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...
in the consistory of 20 November 2010. On 29 December 2010 Cardinal Amato was appointed member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity origins are associated with the Second Vatican Council which met intermittently from 1962–1965.Pope John XXIII wanted the Catholic Church to engage in the contemporary ecumenical movement...
.
On Friday 14 January 2011, Pope Benedict signed a decree attributing a miracle to the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, Pope John Paul II, clearing the way for his beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
, which is to take place ON 1 May 2011. Cardinal Amato said that the "Papal dispensation of the 5-year waiting period before opening a cause, and the second was the placing of the cause on a 'fast track' that by-passed the waiting list. There were, however, no corners cut with regard to the rigor and accuracy of procedure. The case was treated like any other, following all the steps prescribed by the law of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On the contrary, if I may speak further to one of my first observations: precisely in order to honor the dignity and the memory of this great Pope, to avoid any doubt and overcome any difficulties, the case was subjected to particularly careful scrutiny."
Quotes
- "There is the so-called terrorismTerrorismTerrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
with a human face, which is also a daily occurrence and just as repugnant, which continues to be propagated by the media, manipulating traditional language with expressions that hide the tragic reality of the facts. The laboratories where, for example, RU-486, the morning-after pill, is made or where human embryos are manipulated as if they were simply biological material ... [and] the parliamentParliamentA parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
s of so-called 'civilized' nations which promulgate laws contrary to the nature of the human person, like the approval of marriages between persons of the same sex, or of euthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
."
- Speaking on the Da Vinci Code, Archbishop Amato said that "if such lies and errors had been directed at the Koran or the Holocaust they would have justly provoked a world uprising".