Balthasar, Hans Urs von

1905 - Born on the 12th of August in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Studied at Vienna, Berlin and Zurich, gaining a doctorate in German literature.

1927 - Balthasar attended a 30-day retreat near Basel.

1928 - He joined the Jesuits.

1936 - Balthasar was ordained.

1937 - He declined an offer to be a professor at the Gregorian in Rome to establish a institute for ecumenical theology.

1950 - He left the Jesuit order, feeling that God had called him to found a new religious order for laity.

1960 - His theological output grew and drew much attention in Europe.

He received a number of honorary doctorates in theology and the Golden Cross of Mount Athos.

1980 - Balthasar gained ever-greater stature on the theological scene.

1988 - Joined the diocese of Chur.

1988 - Hans Urs von Balthasar died on 26th of June two days before his elevation as a cardinal.