ACCLAIMED French Catholic philosopher Jean-Luc Marion, who visited UST in 2008, received the Ratzinger Prize from Pope Francis at the Vatican on Nov. 13.
The Ratzinger Prize is a prestigious award given each year to two scholars who have made significant contributions to the field of theology.
Aside from Marion, the Pope also awarded the Ratzinger Prize to German theologians Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz and Ludger Schwienhorst-Schönberger, and Australian professor Tracey Rowland.
Marion and Rowland were the awardees for 2020.
In his address, Pope Francis paid tribute to Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, whose papacy was “characterized by a luminous magisterium and an unfailing love for the truth.”
“Among these teachers, there is a theologian who was able to open and nourish his reflection and his cultural dialogue toward all these directions together, because faith and the church live in our time and are friends of every search for truth,” he said.
“This prize is rightly awarded in the name of my predecessor. It is therefore an opportunity for me, together with you, to address to him once again our affectionate, grateful and admiring thoughts,” he added.
After the event, the four awardees met Pope Benedict in his residence at the Mater Ecclesia Monastery.
Recipients of the Ratzinger Prize are chosen by a five-person committee from the Ratzinger Foundation. The recipients are then presented to the Pope, who approves the winners.
Who is Jean-Luc Marion?
Marion, 75, is one of the leading modern Catholic thinkers, known for his contributions to theology, phenomenology and the history of philosophy.
He is a member of the Académie Française (French Academy), Accademia dei Lincei (Lincean Academy) and the Pontifical Council on Culture, which fosters relationships between the Church and other cultures.
He is also professor of Catholic studies, philosophy, and theology at the University of Chicago Divinity School.
Marion was a speaker during the Conférence Mondiale des Institutions Universitaires Catholiques de Philosophie hosted by UST and Ateneo de Manila University in 2008.
He has published numerous books in theology and philosophy, namely: “God Without Being” (1991), The Idol and Distance: Five Studies (2001), The Crossing of the Visible (2004), In the Self’s Place: The Approach of St. Augustine (2012), and the Gifford Lectures Givenness and Revelation (2016). Ma. Alena O. Castillo and Allyssa Mae C. Cruz
