Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Benedict XVI has sent two telegrammes of condolence for the death, at the age of 97, of Cardinal Alfons Maria Stickler S.D.B., archivist and librarian emeritus of Holy Roman Church: one to the late Cardinal's brother and sisters, and another to Fr. Pascual
Chavez Villanueva, major rector of the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco. In his message to the deceased Cardinal's family the Pope recalls him “for many years and sincere and attentive collaborator of the Holy See especially with the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Secret Archives, giving everywhere appreciated witness of fervid fidelity to Christ and the Church”. Benedict XVI prays that through the intercession of “Mary Auxiliatrix and Saint John Bosco, he may grant the deceased Cardinal the eternal reward promised to faithful servants of the Gospel”. To the Rector Major of the Salesians the Holy Father writes: “With deep gratitude I recall the gifts of mind and heart and cultural and ecclesial industriousness of the renowned jurist and distinguished Cardinal in particular his intense and fruitful activity at the Pontifical Salesian University and above all his appreciated and generous service to the Vatican Apostolic Library and the Secret Archives ”. The Pope concludes assuring “fervent prayers for the repose of the soul of this zealous servant of the Gospel and the Church ”.
Born in Neunkirchen, archdiocese of Wien (Austria), on 23 August 1910, second of twelve children, Alfons Maria Stickler entered the Salesian Congregation in Germany and made his religious profession on 15 August 1928. After studying philosophy in Germany and Austria, he completed his theological studies in Germany, at Benediktbeuern, and then in Turin and Rome where he was ordained a priest on 27 March 1937. He studied for a degree Canon and Civil Law at the Istitutum Utriusque Iuris dell'Apollinare (Lateran University) and in 1940 was appointed docent at the Salesian University at the faculty of Canon Law. Dean of the faculty of Canon Law from 1953 to 1958, he was Rector of Salesian University from 1958 to 1966 and then rector of the newly established Institutum Altioris Latinitas from 1965 to 1968. On 25 March 1971 the Pope appointed him Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library. He is the author of many books and essays. An expert in three Commissions of Vatican II, consultor of Roman Congregations, Member of di Commissions, Committees and Academies, on 8 September 1983 John Paul II appointed him Pro-Librarian of Holy Roman Church and at the same time titular Archbishop of Bolsena. On 7 July 1984 he was appointed Pro-Archivist di S.R.C. From 1985 to 1988 he was archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church. He was created a Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on 25 May 1985. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/12/2007; righe 32, parole 458)
