Charles Balic
| Charles Balic, O.F.M. | |
|---|---|
Balic
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| Born |
9 December 1899 Katuni, Croatia |
| Died | 15 April 1977 (aged 77) Rome |
| Other names | Lawrence - Karlo Balic |
| Education | University of Louvain (Theology) |
| Ordained | Franciscan |
| Writings | see below |
Charles Balic (Croatian: Karlo Balić; 9 December 1899 - 15 April 1977) was a Croatian Franciscan Mariologist. Friar Charles Balić was a famous Theologian, specializing in the figure and works of John Duns Scotus, and Rector of the Pontifical University Antonianum of Rome. He was the founder of the Pontifical Academy of Mary and President of the International Scotistic Commission. He was the principal redactor in the editing of the chapter VIII of the Lumen gentium with "De Beata" redaction. He has been important for the ecumenical mariology. Balic is considered as one of the top representative of the "Marian movement" in the 20th century: his appointment was conclusive for the proclamation of the dogma of the assumption.
Karlo Balić was born in the village of Katuni near Šestanovac, Croatia. Entering the Franciscan Order in 1917, through the Province of the Most Holy Redeemer of Dalmatia, he was ordained to the Priesthood in 1923. Successively, he was sent to Louvain from where he received a Doctorate for a thesis on Franciscan Mariology of the 13th and 14th centuries.
Returning to Croatia, he served as Lecturer in his Province until 1933, when he was sent to Rome to begin teaching in the new Pontifical Athenaeum Antonianum, where he gave his Inaugural Class, which was to become the beginning of his career. He later became the Rector Magnificus and had the Our Lady of the Assumption hall built.
Antonio Piolanti recalls Balić as “a titan of a man, built almost on an abyss of contrasts - a great soul of unlimited horizons and immense desires. A type of coincidentia oppositorum was easily detected in the vigorous spiritual physiognomy of this worthy son of strong and gentle Croatia: the heart of a child and Hieronymic impetus, the tenderness of a mother and authoritativeness of a leader, acute and penetrating intelligence, resolute and fiery determination, warm generosity and Dantesque indignation”.
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