Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Florence (Agenzia Fides) – On the evening of April 1, at around 8:30pm, Cardinal Umberto Betti (87 years of age) passed away in the OFM Provincial Clinic, where he was staying. A statement sent to Fides from Fr. Valentino Benedetto Ghiglia, OFM, Provincial Secretary, mentioned that Cardinal Betti was “a distinguished theologian with an extremely superior intellectual capacity, who offered his qualified service to the Church as a professor in Rome's universities, as Consultant in the Theological Commission prior to and during the Council, in the Roman Congregations and, lastly, as Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, wishing to acknowledge his theological insight and loving service to the faithful, created him Cardinal in the public ordinary Consistory on November 24, 2007.” Cardinal Umberto Betti's funeral services will be celebrated by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re on April 3, at 4pm, in the Cathedral of Fiesole. A second Mass will be celebrated on the 4th at 11am, in the Basilica at the Shrine of the Verna, in whose cemetery Cardinal Betti will be buried, according to his request.
Cardinal Umberto Betti, member of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor (OFM), was born in Pieve Santo Stefano, Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro (Italy), on March 7, 1922. He made perpetual vows in the order on December 31, 1943 and was ordained a priest on April 6, 1946. He earned a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University “Antonianum” and was a professor of Dogmatic Theological at Siena and Fiesole. In 1964, he was appointed Professor at the Pontifical University “Antonianum.” In 1961, he was appointed Consultant for the preparatory Theological Commission for Vatican II. He was appointed a Council Expert in 1963, and collaborated in the drafting of the Dogmatic Constitutions “Lumen Gentium” and “Dei Verbum.” He was later a Consultant for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, for Secretary of State, and for the Congregation for Bishops. From 1991 to 1995, he served as Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. He was the author of numerous publications, remembered for his work in research and study, his profound thought, his dedication to the Church, especially in his contribution to the Conciliar reflections. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 2/4/2009)
