A new Jesuit cardinal.

On the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict XVI announced that 22 new cardinals would be created at a consistory to be held on February 18th. The list of new cardinals included an 83-year-old German Jesuit, Father Karl Josef Becker, longtime professor of dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. This month, Father Becker's name mysteriously disappeared from the list for the February consistory, then reappeared a few days later. In any event, Father Becker was present for today's consistory in Rome and is now Cardinal-Deacon of San Giuliano Martire. To learn more about Cardinal Becker's scholarly work as a theologian, click here; to learn about his new titular church of San Giuliano Martire, visit the parish website. I hope that you will join me in praying for Karl Josef Becker and the other new cardinali on the day of their elevation. Ad multos annos! AMDG.