Pope Benedict spoke at the funeral Mass of Cardinal Urbano Navarrete
on Nov.24, remembering the Spanish Jesuit – who died at the age of 90
this week – as an “educator of true justice.”
After the Wednesday general audience, the Pope moved to the St.
Peter’s Basilica where the funeral Mass for Cardinal Navarrete was being
celebrated by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals.
In his homily, Pope Benedict called Cardinal Navarrete, who was dean
of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University and
rector of the school, a "master of justice.”
The 90- year-old cardinal
passed away on Nov. 22.
Remarking on the family life and upbringing of the cardinal, who was
one of six children, Pope Benedict said that his parents “created a
climate of profound Christian faith in their family.”
With three of the Navarrete children becoming Jesuits and two
professing vows as nuns, the Pope noted how the family was given “the
courage to bear witness to their faith, not putting anything before the
love of Christ and doing everything for the greater glory of God.”
The Pope then recalled how Cardinal Navarrete was a legal expert, particularly in the realms of canon and marriage law.
“The meticulous study and impassioned teaching of canon law were the
central element of his life,” he said.
“Educating the young generations
in true justice, the justice of Christ, the justice of the Gospel, was
the ministry Cardinal Navarrete accomplished over the course of his
life.”
Pope Benedict recounted how the Spanish cardinal gave “three
fundamental principles” that guided him in his studies: great love for
the past and for tradition, sensitivity towards the needs and challenges
of the present, and “the capacity to look and open oneself to the
future, not with fear but with hope, the hope that comes from faith.”
“This profoundly Christian vision guided his efforts for God, for the
Church and for man in his teaching and his works,” the Pope said.
“The shining truth of faith in eternal life comforts us each time we
bid our final farewell to a deceased confrere,” he concluded.
“Cardinal
Urbano Navarrete, spiritual son of St. Ignatius of Loyola ... loved
Christ and lived in intimate union with Him.”
SIC: CNA/INT'L