DEZZA, PAOLO

Jesuit, university rector, cardinal; b. Dec. 13, 1901, Parma; d. Dec. 17, 1999, Rome. His life was dedicated to higher education, teaching philosophy, administration in the Society of Jesus, and service to the Holy See. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1918, studied philosophy in Spain and theology at Naples, and was ordained a priest on March 25, 1928. In 1929, Dezza began a long career at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he taught metaphysics intermittently for more than 35 years. From 1935 to 1939 he served as provincial of the Veneto-Milanese province. He was rector at several institutions: the Jesuit philosophy scholasticate in Gallarate, Italy (1939–1941), Gregorian University (1941–1951), and St. Robert Bellarmine College (1951–1965). His Metaphysica became a classic textbook in many universities and seminaries. Young Karol Wojtyła attended his lectures in Rome.

In 1965 Fr. Dezza was elected assistant general of the Jesuits and began to take on various roles within the Vatican. He was a peritus at the Second Vatican Council, contributing particularly to the commission that wrote the Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum educationis ); he published a commentary on this document in 1965. He served as consultor at several posts of the Holy See: namely, the congregations for evangelization, religious, divine worship and sacraments, and education. He was a highly regarded adviser for the Congregation of Catholic Education, helping with the reform of the Catholic universities. He conducted the Spiritual Exercises for Popes Pius XII and John Paul I, and was confessor to Paul VI and John Paul I.

In 1981, Fr. Dezza was an assistant general when, on August 7, Fr. General Pedro Arrupe suffered a stroke that disabled him severely. On Oct. 5, 1981, the pope named Fr. Dezza his pontifical delegate for the Society of Jesus. This appointment suspended the Jesuit constitutions until the election of a new general. With prudence, calm, and fidelity to the pope, Fr. Dezza prepared the order for a new General Congregation. In a series of conferences and meetings, he informed the Fathers of the concerns and hopes of the pope for the society. The special mission of Fr. Dezza lasted until Sept. 13, 1983, when the 33d General Congregation elected Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach as superior general.

On June 28, 1991, Fr. Dezza was created cardinal with the title of Deacon of Saint Ignatius Loyola in Campo Marzio. It meant much for him, since the church of St. Ignatius is the church of the Gregorian University. He requested, and was granted, an exemption from the requirement of episcopal consecration. He died on Dec. 17,

1999, at the age of 98, and was buried in the church of St. Ignatius.

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