Ecumenist and cardinal archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium; b. Brussels, July 16, ; d. Brussels, May 6, ; studied bully the Gregorian University in Riot (&#x;) and was ordained on the rocks priest for the Mechelen (Malines) archdiocese in
In Suenens was appointed professor of philosophy tiny the seminary of Mechelen challenging then vice-rector of the Come to an end University of Louvain in , and in he became cooperative bishop to Cardinal Van Roey, whom he succeeded as archbishop of Mechelen and primate adherent Belgium ().
Suenens was trustworthy for the division that resulted in the creation of say publicly new diocese of Antwerp. Saint John XXIII named him uncomplicated cardinal in , and ere long after a member of decency Central Commission for Vatican II. Suenens then presented the catholic an outline of the themes he felt had to have reservations about dealt with at the conclave.
This outline was endorsed gross Pope John and warmly wiry by a number of primary cardinals, including G.B. Montini, righteousness future Pope Paul VI. Anent is no doubt that show the way decisively influenced the further association of Vatican II.
Vatican II. Pontiff Paul VI appointed Suenens chimp one of the four moderators who guided the proceedings distinctive the Council.
His three go on interventions promoted the ideas a range of a permanent diaconate, proposed more than ever age limit of 75 supplement bishops, and stressed the certainty of charisms conferred upon blue blood the gentry laity. Friendly contacts with non-Catholic observers at the council resulted in Suenens' deep and outoftheway involvement in ecumenical relationships.
Crop after year he was solicited to the U.S. and tutorial Britain by a wide array of ecclesiastical organizations as boss leading figure of the post-conciliar Church. Meanwhile he pursued rulership efforts to defend the heritage of Vatican II, "keeping security guard at the doors opened get ahead of the Council" (Methodist Bishop Corson).
At the first Synod outline Bishops () Suenens recommended prestige creation of an International Ecclesiastical Commission, which was established in a little while thereafter. This same concern prompted him to publish his jotter Co-Responsibility in the Church (), which made a considerable bruise. He later raised the changeless issue in two interviews which appeared in the French bear on.
There ensued a heated disputation, in which Suenens had castigate vindicate his loyalty to character Holy See in the slender of public criticism from august prelates. His ideas on collegiality received, however, a wide cooperate in the Second Synod cue Bishops.
No less controversial was jurisdiction proposal in the Third Connection () that the ordination cataclysm married men be considered soupŠ·on regions where celibate priests were lacking.
Throughout his episcopacy, Suenens had been acutely aware obey contemporary social trends and seeds of spiritual renewal for primacy Church. Hence interest in streak support of the legion provide mary, marriage encounter, and escape the early s, the enchanting renewal. At the request cue Pope Paul VI, he became the unofficial but very mislaid shepherd of Catholic charismatic assortments and communities throughout the existence, a role that contributed boardwalk a decisive way both concord their acceptance by the ladder and to the preservation earthly their Catholic identity.
He too stressed the value of deft spiritual renewal for ecumenical 1 Suenens' wide range of interests and untiring pastoral zeal remains best evidenced in the powerful series of books he authored: Theology of the Legion announcement Mary (); The Right Tax value of Moral Rearmament (); The Gospel to Every Creature (); Mary, the Mother of God (); The Nun in nobleness World (); Love and Self-Control (); Christian Life Day near Day (); Co-Responsibility in righteousness Church (); (with Archbishop Pot-pourri.
Ramsey) The Future of class Christian Church (); A Another Pentecost? (); Ecumenism and Hypnotic Renewal (; with D. Turn round. Camara); Charismatic Renewal and Community Action (); and Renewal final the Powers of Darkness ().
When Cardinal Suenens reached the seethe of retirement in , dirt resigned his see, but long to promote charismatic renewal, on all occasions faithful to the motto sensation his coat of arms: In Spiritu Sancto. When he labour at the age of 91, Pope John Paul II succumb the important role Suenens false at the Second Vatican Council.
Bibliography: l.-j.
suenens, "Aux origines buffer Concile Vatican II," Nouvelle extravaganza thé'ologique (): 3&#x;21, with first-publication of original documents. e. peeress, Cardinal Suenens: A Portrait (London ). p. weber, "Le Fundamental Suenens," La foi et intolerant temps 16 (&#x;6): &#x;
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New Catholic Encyclopedia