Student and friend of von Balthasar

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 60 year old Sulpician, was ordained priest in 1968. He taught philosophy in the major Seminary of Bogotà. He received the Licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in 1974. Then in 1983 he was awarded his doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, with a thesis on Hans Urs von Balthasar with whom he established a deep friendship. In 1984 he became rector of the major Seminary of Manizales in Colombia, in 1999 rector of the major Seminary of Montreal, and in 1994 rector of Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton. In 1996-1997 he was lecturer at the John Paul II Institute of the Lateran University, becoming, in 1997, holder of the chair of dogmatic theology. In March 2001 he was elected bishop and secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity. As his motto he chose: «Ut unum sint». He has been archbishop of Quebec since November 2002 and was created cardinal in the consistory of 2003.