Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising archdiocese is expected to formally open the cause before the end of the year.

According to German media reports, the archdiocese has appointed a postulator for the cause.

Guardini, an Italian-born German theologian, has influenced Popes Benedict XVI and Francis.

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Fr Gallagher, 76, was a former Professor of Fundamental Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, where he was dean of the theology faculty from 2005 to 2008.

Fr Gallagher also lectured in University College, Dublin, as well as the Collegio Bellarmino in Rome.

Through contact with students in Dublin, Fr Gallagher became interested in the main topics he wrote about: Faith and unbelief, and culture and spirituality.

In 2009, he was one of the keynote speakers at the New Zealand Catholic Education Convention in Wellington.

Speaking by video-link, Fr Gallagher's 2009 talk was titled —"The Courage of our Difference: Forming a Christian Imagination".

He spoke of the key features that attract young people, and the challenge of bringing "active recognition" of the Lord.

Among his many students, he taught the Irish film directors Neil Jordan and Jim Sheridan.

While living in Paraguay, he realised that "Living with the poor, I saw that unbelief was more likely a product of life-style, than a set of ideas."

Among his many books were "Clashing Symbols" and "Free to Believe".

His funeral was held on Tuesday in Dublin.

Sources

• Irish Times
• Catholic Ireland
• Wel-com
• Plaything
• RTE
• Image: Jesuits in Ireland

A lawsuit has been filed against Fr Virgilio Elizondo, a theology professor at Notre Dame, as well as against a former priest and San Antonio archdiocese.

The lawsuit alleges a boy was abused again after he reported previous abuse to Fr Elizondo.

Unspecified damages are sought in the lawsuit.

A Notre Dame spokesman said the university was "reserving comment until further inquiries are completed".

Fr Elizondo is currently a professor of pastoral and Hispanic theology at Notre Dame.

He has pursued scholarly work in theology, evangelisation, faith and spirituality, culture and public ritual.

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The genesis of their partnership, Kasper recalled during a recent trip to New York, was a fateful encounter that took place a few days before last year's conclave, when all the electors in the College of Cardinals from around the world were staying in the Vatican guesthouse.

Kasper's room happened to be right across the hallway from that of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires.

A renowned German theologian who just turned 80, Kasper had recently received a Spanish translation of his latest book, "Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to Christian Life." He brought a couple copies with him and gave one to Bergoglio.

"Ah, mercy!" the Argentine cardinal exclaimed when he saw the title. "This is the name of our God!"

The two men knew each other a bit — Kasper had been to Buenos Aires several times on church business — but it turns out Bergoglio's reaction wasn't just one of those pro forma compliments you might give to an acquaintance at a book party.

Mercy had long been a guiding principle for Bergoglio's ministry, and he devoured Kasper's original, wide-ranging study in the days leading up to the voting.

Then, on the evening of March 13, it was Bergoglio who emerged on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica as Pope Francis.

And just four days later, the new pope addressed a huge crowd in the square — and as a surprised Kasper watched on television, he heard Francis praising him as a "very sharp theologian" and effectively blurbing his work: "That book has done me so much good," Francis said.

"But don't think I do publicity for the books of my cardinals!" the new pontiff quickly added. Continue reading.

Source: Religion News Service

Image: Franco Origlia/Getty Images