Henri de Lubac was undoubtedly one of the greatest theologians of the last century. On September 20, 2023, the Archdiocese of Lyon officially opened his beatification process. But is it a question of “canonizing” a particular theology? Not at all. De Lubac's theological work will be judged by the sanctity of his life. Yet it bears witness to the holiness of an intelligence nourished by love of God and souls.

His theology gives us a taste for God

Fr. de Lubac's writings are his legacy. What does this work say about Fr. de Lubac's holiness? It bears witness to what was in him. For him, theology was a work of charity: he sought to respond to the spiritual needs of his time. As he observed with pastoral anxiety the rise of atheism, he wrote to us: “It is not charitable to men to allow the only inalienable treasure we could pass on to them to be ruined within ourselves: faith, hope, the love of Jesus Christ” (Paradoxes, p. 133). This is the profound motive behind his theological act. The central message of his work is at the heart of his life: “ I had no other intention than to serve Christ and his Church, to give a glimpse of the grandeur and beauty of the mysteries of faith, in order to give a taste of God. ” (private note, Oct. 9, 1952). His theology does indeed give a taste for God, and his whole life bears witness to this, as he would say in his later years to novices: “Have a high idea of God!”

Likewise, his love of the Church was expressed not only in his writings, but also through the example of his unfailing fidelity. Among the public and private testimonies we received, many expressed having been touched, in a decisive way, by his love of the Church, from which they today draw the courage to persevere in Catholic fidelity while living in societies marked by the violence caused by “forgetting God” (Pope Francis, quoting Benedict XVI, Strasbourg, November 25, 2014). He saw the Church as “the only bearer of hope for the world”, because she is the only one who gives us Christ, “every day”. At a time when the spirit of division is at work among Catholics, Henri de Lubac stands out as an apostle of unity, a model of Catholic charity in filial obedience to the Holy Father.

And in many respects, he remains “a precursor” for our ^21st century, in the words of Mgr Jean-Marie Lustiger (1926-2007), who foresaw that, with the passing of time, the “power” and “relevance” of his work would become increasingly apparent. This is particularly evident in the courage and freedom of speech he displayed throughout his life. A hero of spiritual resistance to all forms of oppression, his courage and freedom of speech during the Second World War were particularly striking, as he denounced anti-Semitism and Nazi totalitarianism, even at the risk of his own life. But it was the strength of his faith in Jesus Christ that inspired him, through many other tribulations, to have the courage to speak the truth in the name of God's love for us. By meditating on the example of his life, as well as through his writings, we draw on unsuspected resources to live the apostolic audacity of witness.

«There is no Christianity outside the testimony given personally to the Person of Jesus Christ.»    (La Foi chrétienne, 1969)

Offering the Church a courageous and enlightened model of Catholic unity and trust in God.

Support the cause by participating in credofunding.
https://www.credofunding.fr/fr/beatification-cardinal-delubac

For the Church of our time, Henri de Lubac offers a courageous and enlightened model of Catholic unity and trust in God. His love of the Church, despite the trials he endured, reaches out to the greatest number of those who have to suffer because of it or through it. His finely-tuned discernment on many delicate issues of the Christian faith offers a “compass” in the face of pastoral challenges and objections to the faith, today more than ever.

The amount raised through credofunding is intended to cover the costs of the various actions to be undertaken, including the postulant's remuneration for four months, and the rental of an office:

1- Coordination with the Court of Justice and expert teams The diocesan investigation involves many players, including experts. The members of the historical commission are tasked with verifying the historical sanctity of Fr. de Lubac, while the theological experts verify his orthodoxy.

2- The development of theological and historical expertise The complete works of Fr. de Lubac, which have not yet been republished, number 50 volumes. The examination of Fr. de Lubac's life and work calls for considerable expertise, both historical and theological, in order to bring to light the truth and authenticity of his thought.

3- Gathering testimonies The gathering of written testimonies accompanies or precedes the hearing of witnesses, which follows a precise canonical procedure.

4- Disseminating Fr. de Lubac's thought The aim is to make accessible the treasures of wisdom contained in his work, while addressing the difficulties inherent in the complexity of the theological questions he addressed in historical contexts that were themselves often delicate. Il Henri de Lubac is a spiritual guide for today's Catholic, and for all men of good will.

The diocese is supporting the cause, and the funds raised will be paid into an account in the Lyon diocese, which will issue tax receipts.
https://www.credofunding.fr/fr/beatification-cardinal-delubac