Japanese sculptor Etsurō Sotoo receives the 2024 Ratzinger Prize

For the first time in history, with the approval of Pope Francis, a Japanese sculptor is awarded the Ratzinger Prize.

Converted to Catholicism during his stay in Spain

His name is Etsurō Sotoo, born in 1953 in Fukuoka (Japan), and graduated in Fine Arts from Kyoto University.

Initially he taught in the aforementioned Japanese cities, but a visit to Spain changed the course of his life forever.

Arriving in the city of Barcelona in 1978, he was impressed by the construction of the Sagrada Familia basilica and asked to work there as a sculptor.

He began his work on the Nativity façade, following the instructions left by Antoni Gaudí, famous Spanish architect and author of this monument, still under construction, before he died in 1926.

During his stay in Barcelona, ​​Etsurō Sotoo converted to Catholicism and received the sacrament of Baptism.

Currently, the winner is committed to the cause of canonization of Gaudí, known as “God’s architect.”

The works of this sculptor are found in various parts of the temple of the Sagrada Familia and in other places in Spain, as well as in Japan and also in Italy, in the Cathedral of Florence.

It is worth remembering that Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the Sagrada Familia basilica during a trip to Barcelona in 2010, expressing his great appreciation for the figure and art of Antoni Gaudí.

Cyril O’Regan, author of articles on Ratzinger’s teachings

Irish theologian Cyril O’Regan, born in 1952, is also the winner of the 2024 Ratzinger Prize.

Since 1999, he has been a professor of Systematic Theology in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, (United States).

He studied Philosophy in Ireland and obtained a Doctorate in Philosophy and another in Theology at Yale University, United States.

He is the author of numerous articles and several works in English, including: The Heterodox Hegel (1994); Gnostic Return in Modernity (2001); Theology and the Spaces of Apocalyptic (2009); Anatomy of Misremembering; y Newman y Ratzinger (publication in progress).

He gives numerous lectures, highly appreciated by students due to the professor’s attentive relationship with the students, and has dedicated several relevant articles to the figure and teaching of Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI).

Award ceremony and Mass in memory of Benedict XVI

On Friday, November 22, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, will present the Prize to the theologian Prof. Cyril O’Regan and the sculptor Etsurō Sotoo.

The ceremony will take place in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace, starting at 5:00 p.m. Rome time.

In the morning, at 7:15 a.m., a Mass will be celebrated in memory of Pope Benedict XVI at his tomb in the Vatican Grottoes. Next, the two winners will be received by Pope Francis.

What is the Ratzinger Prize?

The Ratzinger Prize was initiated in 2011 to recognize scholars whose work demonstrates a significant contribution to theology in the spirit of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the Bavarian theologian who became Benedict XVI.

The awardees are chosen by Pope Francis based on the recommendations of a committee made up of five cardinals who are members of the Roman Curia.

It is currently made up of Cardinals Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity; Luis Ladaria, Prefect Emeritus of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith; Gianfranco Ravasi, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture; Mons. Salvatore Fisichica, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture; Mons. Salvatore Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; and by Bishop Rudolf Voderholz. Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer, Bishop of Regensburg and President of the Institut Papst Benedikt XVI.

With the 2024 edition, the total number of winners will rise to 30. These are mainly eminent personalities in the studies of Dogmatic or Fundamental Theology, Sacred Scripture, Patrology, Philosophy, Law, Sociology, or in artistic activity, in music, architecture and now also in sculpture.

Confirming the cultural and global horizon of the Award, the winners come from 18 different countries on five continents.

The winners are not only Catholics, but also belong to other Christian denominations, such as Anglicanism, Lutheranism, or Judaism.