The Salesian Cardinals

Don Bosco’s Sons Who Became Cardinals

Abp. Alfons Maria Stickler (1910-2007)

(ANS – Rome – Sept. 18, 2023) – From the heart of Europe to the center of the Church: this was the path taken by Alfons Maria Stickler, the 5th Salesian, in chronological order, to be created cardinal. Unlike the profiles examined previously, he expressed his episcopal and cardinalatial service not so much in pastoral activity as in discreet but effective work within the Roman Curia and academic circles – always manifesting the simplicity and humility so dear to Don Bosco.

Alfons Maria Stickler was born in Neunkirchen, Austria, on August 23, 1910, the 2d of 12 children. He attended elementary schools in his hometown and the classical high school in Vienna, a student of the local Salesian school, when the future Cardinal Hlond was about to conclude his governance of the German-Hungarian Province of the Salesians.

After making the Salesian novitiate in Germany, he made his first religious profession on August 15, 1928. After philosophical studies in Germany and Austria, followed by practical training, he completed his theological studies at Benediktbeuern in Germany, and later in Turin and Rome, where on March 27, 1937, he was ordained in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

After following the courses of canon and civil law at the Pontifical Lateran University from 1936, he graduated in 1940, immediately obtaining appointment as professor at the Salesian University in the School of Canon Law. Displaced with the entire Salesian University to Cuneo during World War II, he saved several lives by mediating the release of prisoners with the German occupying authorities, and in those places his memory remained alive with gratitude.

After the war, he taught canon law first in Turin and then in Rome, where the Salesian University had moved in 1957. He was dean of the School of Canon Law from 1953 to 1958, then rector magnificus from 1958 to 1966, and dean of the new Institute of Advanced Latin from 1965 to 1968.

On March 25, 1971, he was appointed by Pope Paul VI as prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Library. In this capacity, he promoted the construction of the large underground warehouse for the optimal conservation of all the Library codices, and other extensions to make it easier for scholars to consult. All this was achieved thanks to a daring cultural and publishing operation promoted by the prefect himself in collaboration with the Belser international publishing house, consisting of the publication of many valuable codices in perfect facsimile.

His activity as a scholar, author of many volumes and essays on the history of canon law, was considerable. The result of this intense scholarly activity were many volumes and essays on that topic. He was curator and editor of “Studia Gratiana” and co-editor of “Studi Gregoriani.” A peritus for three commissions during the Second Vatican Council, consultant to Roman congregations, and a collaborator on the new Code of Canon Law from the beginning of this Commission, member of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences, of the board of directors of the Institute for the Medieval History of Canon Law in Berkeley, California, he was also one of the three vice presidents of the Bureau of the International Association of the History of Law and Institutions.

On September 8, 1983, he was appointed pro-librarian of the Holy Roman Church and, at the same time, titular archbishop of Bolsena. John Paul II personally conferred episcopal ordination on him the following November 1, also calling him to be a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Authentic Interpretation of the Code of Canon Law.

On July 7, 1984, he also became pro-archivist of the Holy Roman Church, becoming archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church in May 1985.

Despite his very high intellectual and academic profile, he always remained humble and, as a true son of Don Bosco, a lover of simplicity. He used to move around Rome alone, using public transport, and when he was not needed for various ceremonies, he wore a simple clerical suit without any other distinguishing sign of his roles.

He was created cardinal by John Paul II in the consistory of May 25, 1985 – together with his confreres Cardinals Rosalio José Castillo Lara and Miguel Obando Bravo.

He died in Rome at the age of 97 on December 12, 2007. On the occasion of his funeral, celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pontiff outlined his figure by recalling that “he knew well that to love Christ is to love his Church, which is always holy, despite weakness”; and he concluded by quoting the spiritual testament of the Austrian cardinal: “I believe, I hope, I love; forgive my weakness in faith, hope, and charity and lead me, my God, into the Kingdom of your love.”