â Roger Haight, S.J. America magazine, April 6, 2021
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One of the most prominent theologians in the twentieth century, Hans Küng, said âGoodbyeâ to this world on April 6, 2021 at the age of 93. Küng grew up in Sursee, northwest of Lucerne in Switzerland. He felt a call to the priesthood when he was 11 years old and always loved being a priest, no matter what obstacles he faced later in life.
He studied theology at the Germanicum, a major seminary in Rome. His doctoral dissertation focused on Jean Paul Sartre and the noted Protestant theologian, Karl Barth. Ordained as a priest in 1954, Küng in his first sermon stated that âto rule in Christâs kingdom means to serve others.â Küng took these words to heart when he worked as pastor for eighteen months in Switzerland. He then taught fundamental theology at Tübingen from 1960-63. Â