Theologian sought Heavenly Home, notes Pope

(Oct.26,2010) Pope Benedict XVI highlighted theologian Erik Peterson as one, who sought his home in Heaven. The Pope made this reflection on Monday on receiving in audience participants in an international symposium on "Erik Peterson: The Theological Presence of an Outsider." The symposium was promoted by the Patristic Institute Augustinianum, together with the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology, on the 50th anniversary of the death of the German theologian. The two-day symposium, that concluded on Tuesday, involved presentations by Cardinal Raffaele Farina, archivist and librarian of Holy Roman Church, and Cardinal Karl Lehmann, bishop of Mainz, Germany.
Theologian Peterson was born in Hamburg, Germany, on June 7, 1890, and died in the same city on October 26, 1960. In his address to the symposium participants, the Pope recalled his biography, observing that the difficult political situation that was being experienced in Germany after World War I, was also reflected in the theological debate. In that context, the Pope said, Peterson decided to study especially the history of religions, convinced that it is not a history sparated from God, and that in this history, the Church has a special place and finds its meaning.
In his greeting to the Holy Father, Cardinal Lehmann said that "although Erik Peterson in life was highly recognized for his work, it ran the risk of falling into oblivion after his death." The cardinal expressed the hope that the symposium will be a good opportunity to enlarge the rich patrimony and heritage of Erik Peterson. in other languages. He concluded, "We are convinced that this will constitute a fruitful service for the Church of today and of tomorrow."