Report from Rome is a publication sent to friends, benefactors and alumni/ae of the Gregorian University, the Biblical Institute and the Oriental Institute. Here are a few highlights from our most recent issue.
December 2010: Contents
 The Pontifical Gregorian University |
New Cardinals Named, More Than Half From Consortium Schools
Foundation Elects Rainis Chairman, Mullen Chairman Emeritus
New Rector at the Gregorian University
New Rector at the Oriental Institute
Foundation Names Loftus Vice President as Tom Trott Retires
Hilbert Named President of Fondazione La Gregoriana
Richard B. Marrin, Trustee, Passes Away
A Word from the President . . .
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| Cardinal Raymond L. Burke |
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| Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl |
New Cardinals Named, More Than Half From Consortium Schools
At the Consistory of Nov. 20th His Holiness Benedict XVI created 24 new cardinals; our congratulations to all of them! More than half of these new cardinals are alumni of the Gregorian University Consortium; a further affirmation that our Consortium institutions are forming many of the Church's leaders.
Alumni of the Pontifical Gregorian University:
His Eminence Angelo Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation for the
Cause of the Saints;
His Eminence Raymond L. Burke, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the
Apostolic Signatura;
His Eminence Paolo Sardi, Vice Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church;
His Eminence Velasio De Paolis, C.S., President of the Prefecture for the
Economic Affairs of the Holy See;
His Eminence Paolo Romeo, Archbishop of Palermo, Italy;
His Eminence Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C.;
His Eminence Raymundo D. Assis, Archbishop of Aparecida, Brazil;
His Eminence Jose Manuel Estepa Llaurens, Archbishop Emeritus of the Military (Spain).
Alumni of both the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute:
His Eminence Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum";
His Eminence Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for
Culture.
Alumni of the Pontifical Biblical Institute:
His Beatitude Antonios Naguib, Coptic Patriarch of Alexandria, Egypt;
His Eminence Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbishop of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo;
His Eminence Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, Archbishop of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Foundation Elects Rainis Chairman, Mullen Chairman Emeritus
The Board of Trustees of the Gregorian University Foundation elected Eugene C. Rainis as its chairman, effective May 3, 2010. Mr. Rainis follows Peter P. Mullen who was named chairman emeritus.
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| Foundation Chairman Emeritus Peter P. Mullen (left) and Chairman Eugene C. Rainis. |
“With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the excellent work of Fr. Bob O’Toole, S.J. and the wise counsel of my colleagues on the Board,” said Mr. Rainis, “I hope to further the efficacy of the Gregorian University Consortium, a most important apostolate of the Society of Jesus which serves the universal Roman Catholic Church.”
Mr. Rainis received his B.A. from Fordham University in 1962 and his M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, in 1964.
Mr. Rainis is a partner of Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., the oldest privately owned bank in the United States, founded almost two hundred years ago. Mr. Rainis joined the firm in 1965. He became a general partner in 1979, and from 1972 until 1996, his primary responsibility was overseeing the firm’s Global Bond Business.
In addition to serving the Gregorian University Foundation, Mr. Rainis is a Director and Treasurer of the Robert Brunner Foundation, a member of the board of the Cristo Rey New York High School, New York, and a Trustee of New York Medical College. He is a former member of the board of St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers, former Chairman of the Board of Xavier High School, current Trustee-Fellow and former Trustee of Fordham University, former Trustee of Montefiore Health System, former Director of Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, former member of the Cardinal’s Health Care Advisory Committee of the Archdiocese of New York, and was Chairman of both the Jefferson Insurance Company and the Monticello Insurance Company.
He and his wife, Jane, have three children and four grandchildren.
Regarding Mr. Mullen’s 23 years as Chair of the Gregorian University Foundation Board, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Adolfo Nicolás, S.J. wrote to Mr. Mullen, “Not only as Superior General of the Society, but also as a graduate myself of the Gregorian, I hold this Papal mission close to my heart, and I am so very touched by how your leadership has made more fruitful the service these institutions can render to the Church of Christ.”
Mr. Mullen received his B.A. from Georgetown University in 1948, and LL.B. from Columbia University as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar in 1951.
In addition to his dedicated and truly fruitful leadership of the Gregorian University Foundation, Mr. Mullen is an attorney in the practice of corporate, securities and financial law at Skadden, Arps. Mr. Mullen has been head of the firm’s Corporate Department during much of this time and Executive Partner from 1981 to 1994.
Mr. Mullen was chairman of the Board of Trustees of Georgetown University from 1985-1992. He has been active with the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, the Vatican Observatory, and the Advisory Committee of The Southwest Legal Foundation. Mr. Mullen was the President of the Board of Education of Bronxville and has been a director of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Legal Aid Society, and Volunteers of Legal Service, The United Way, Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, the Cardinal’s Committee of the Laity of New York, Project Orbis, and other organizations.
Mr. Mullen and his wife, Billie, have five grown children and several grandchildren.
New Rector at the Gregorian University
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has named Rev. François-Xavier Dumortier, S.J., the new Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University. Fr. Dumortier assumed his duties on September 1st and succeeds Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J.
Fr. Dumortier entered the Society of Jesus when he was twenty-five years old, having completed studies in Political Science at the Institut d'Études Politiques in Paris and in Law at the University Pantheon-Assas Paris II where he received his doctorate (D.F.A.), specializing in the philosophy of law.
As a young Jesuit he studied philosophy at Centre Sèvres in Paris, the faculty of philosophy and theology for the French Jesuits, and theology at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, MA and was ordained in 1990. For 20 years he taught philosophy, especially the philosophy of ethics, at Cèntre Sevres. He also taught the philosophy of law in the Canon Law Faculty at the Institut Catholique of Paris. He was Rector of Cèntre Sevres from 1993 to 2003 and from that time to 2009, Provincial of the French Province of the Society of Jesus.
Fr. Dumortier knows well academic and religious institutions of higher education both in Europe and the United Sates and learned about the Gregorian University Consortium through his participation in the Permanent Inter-Provincial Commission which advises Fr. General about the Jesuit institutions of higher education in Rome. Fr. Dumortier is definitely convinced of the importance of the Pontifical Gregorian University's mission in service of the Church.
May God reward Fr. Ghirlanda for his years of generous and efficacious service as Rector of the Greg and see to it that Fr. Dumortier receives every grace needed for the challenging but truly significant leadership position he has been assigned.
New Rector at the Oriental Institute
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, has named Rev. James M. McCann, S.J., new Rector of the Pontifical Oriental Institute. Fr. McCann assumed his duties on September 25, 2010. Fr. McCann comes to the Oriental from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops where he was the Director, Office to Aid the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
He joined the Society of Jesus in 1967 and was ordained in 1979. He received his Bachelor’s at the University of Detroit; Masters at Yale University; Licentiate at Centre Sèvres, Paris; and his Doctorate at Princeton University. Since 1981, Fr. McCann has been an instructor or professor at Princeton, Loyola University Chicago, and Xavier University.
Much of Fr. McCann’s academic work, both as a student and teacher, has been focused on Russia and Eastern Europe, and he has spent considerable time in Russia and Kazakhstan doing research and pastoral work.
Fr. McCann said in Partners (the publication of the Jesuit Chicago Province), “I will be happy to take part in a school that provides theological and spiritual education to 400 priests, religious, and laypeople and acts as a bridge between the deeply rich traditions of the Churches of the East and the world. I hope that with my experience and expertise I can help to make those wonderful traditions known to a wider public. I hope as well to contribute to the reconciliation of the Churches.”
Foundation Names Loftus Vice President as Tom Trott Retires
Mr. Geoff Loftus has succeeded Mr. Tom Trott, the Gregorian University Foundation’s vice president and assistant treasurer, who has retired after almost 18 years of service to the Greg, running the business side of the Foundation, planning events, and facilitating public relations.
Rev. Robert F. O’Toole, S.J., Foundation President said of Mr. Trott, “We are most grateful to Tom for his long and dedicated years of service and kindness to everyone. We value his friendship and personal integrity.”
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| Geoff Loftus |
Mr. Loftus went to Fordham Prep and received his BA at Purchase College, SUNY. He and his wife, Margy, have a 16-year-old son, named — aptly enough — Greg.
Mr. Loftus is the author of Lead Like Ike: Ten Business Strategies from the CEO of D-Day (Thomas Nelson, 2010). He is also a regular contributor to Forbes.com, and has been in the corporate communications and business journalism fields for more than 25 years. He has served on several community boards and is currently a director of both the Edgemont Community Council and the Longview Civic Association. Mr. Loftus has been volunteering for the Greg since 1999 and has been heavily involved in the Foundation’s website and Report from Rome newsletter, as well as many of the Foundation’s special events, including working in Rome on four Colloquia.
Mr. Trott, who received his BA at Duquesne University, was hired as vice president Frank Mazza’s assistant in 1993. When Mr. Mazza departed in 1994, Mr. Trott was named vice president, serving under four Foundation presidents: Rev. M. Delmar Skillingstad, S.J.; Rev. Eugene J. O’Brien, S.J.; Rev. George R. Sullivan, S.J. and Fr. O’Toole.
Mr. Trott managed thirteen Roman Colloquia as well as many Foundation events at the New York Yacht Club, the New York Athletic Club, and the University Club.
Prior to coming to the Foundation, Mr. Trott was the Director of Development at the Queens Council on the Arts, and before that he worked at the General Services Administration for sixteen years.
Mr. Trott has been a longtime volunteer at Starlight Children’s Foundation and was also the President of PROS (Public Relations Officers Society), 1990-1991.
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| Fr. Michael Hilbert |
Hilbert Named President of Fondazione La Gregoriana
Fr. Delegate, Rev. Joseph Daoust, S.J., appointed Rev. Michael Hilbert, S.J. as the new President of the Fondazione La Gregoriana, which supports the Gregorian University, the Biblical Institute, and the Oriental Institute in Europe.
Fr. Hilbert succeeds Rev. Franco Imoda, S.J. Fr. Imoda will now dedicate himself full-time to guiding “AVEPRO,” the Vatican agency for evaluating ecclesiastical faculties in accord with the Bologna process. The Gregorian Consortium owes a debt of gratitude to Fr. Imoda for his dedicated work on behalf of its service to the church.
Fr. Hilbert is a professor of Canon Law at the Gregorian University, where he will continue to teach, and recently was named a member of the Board of Trustees of the Gregorian University Foundation.
Richard B. Marrin, Trustee, Passes Away
Richard B. Marrin, a dedicated trustee of the Gregorian University Foundation and chairman of the board’s Public Relations Committee, was called home to God in September.
Mr. Marrin was born in Manhattan and was a graduate of Fordham Preparatory School, Fordham College and the Fordham University School of Law. He was a founding partner of Ford Marrin Esposito Witmeyer & Gleser LLP in Manhattan. A faithful parishioner of Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Rumson, he actively supported the endeavors of the church and school community for many years.
Mr. Marrin believed we must use our gifts to help others. He was a devoted supporter of Fordham University where he supported squash and tennis scholarships. Fordham’s athletic programs—in particular, football—were very dear to him, and he tirelessly encouraged others to support the Fordham community. He also proudly and actively served on the Board of Trustees of the Cristo Rey New York High School, in addition to the Gregorian University Foundation.
He was an avid writer and researcher of American and colonial history. Early American newspapers were of particular interest to him. He authored over twenty books, including The Retaking of America, a novel he had recently discussed on radio stations throughout the nation.
Rich was preceded in death by his wife of many years, Gail. Surviving are his six children, their spouses, and his sixteen grandchildren.
From the The Gregorian University
Cardinal Urbino Navarette Cortes, former Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, died on November 22 at the age of 90.
Rev. Donath Hercsik, S.J., the Dean of Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University passed away on November 13, 2010 at the age of 45.
His Excellency Blase J. Cupich, named Bishop of Spokane, WA, studied theology at the Gregorian from 1971 to 1975.
His Excellency Timothy L. Doherty, named Bishop of Lafayette, IN, received his licentiate in Theology in 1976.
His Excellency Arthur L. Kennedy, named Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, received his licentiate in Theology in 1967.
His Excellency Robert W. McElroy, named Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, received his doctorate in Theology in 1986.
His Excellency William Michael Mulvey, named Bishop of Corpus Christi, TX, received his licentiate in Spiritual Theology at the Gregorian.
His Excellency Thomas J. Paprocki, named Bishop of Springfield, IL, received his doctorate in Canon Law in 1991.
His Excellency Daniel Fernández Torres, named Bishop of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, received his licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian.
His Excellency Joe Steve Vasquez, named Bishop of Austin, TX, received his licentiate in Theology at the Gregorian.
Gregorian University Foundation Events
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| Above, Rev. James Martin, S.J., bestselling author, speaks about humor and faith at the Foundation’s spring event at the New York Yacht Club. | New Foundation Trustees Irene Soden and Billie Mullen at the Foundation’s spring event at the New York Yacht Club. | Above, Rev. Michael Paul Gallagher, a professor at the Gregorian University is introduced by Foundation President, Rev. Robert F. O’Toole, S.J. at the Foundation’s seminar on Cardinal Newman this past September at the New York Athletic Club. |
A Word from the President . . .
Dear Friends,
Our sincere congratulations and prayers go out to all the new cardinals; more than half of them are graduates of our distinguished institutions. So, as the saying goes, “We must be doing something right.”
Let me express my grateful thanks, that of our Board of Trustees and of everyone associated with the Pontifical Gregorian University (“Greg”), the Pontifical Biblical Institute (“Biblicum”) and the Pontifical Oriental Institute (“Oriental”) to each of you, our truly generous benefactors listed in this issue of Report from Rome. At Thanksgiving, may you have had much for which to be thankful because of how good and giving God is in your lives. Your caring goodness and support are the concrete manifestation of God’s helping the above institutions to serve our students as they deserve.
We have numerous talented graduates, and a third of our U.S.A. alumni are truly generous contributors, but the other 1,122 have not yet made a gift in support of their Alma Mater. They may be giving annually to the North American College or to the college in which they lived while studying in Rome, and that is certainly the right thing to do. However, even if their diocese or religious order or someone else paid full tuition, the reality is that our institutions were providing them with approximately half of the actual cost of their education. Although others may be unaware of the importance of the Gregorian University Consortium for the intellectual and pastoral life of the Church and for our own formation, we who studied there are not. So, I ask all our alumni to help provide for others the same opportunities they enjoyed.
May I ask everyone to take a moment and browse our enhanced website (www.the-gregorian.com). The low tuition rates of the Greg, Biblicum, and Oriental and their very impressive service of the Church justify the claim that there are few other charities where you can make such a significant difference with your support that reflects your personal religious values and truly benefits future ministers of our Church.
The Gregorian University Consortium has a challenging mission. It must be loyal to the Roman Catholic tradition yet open to the whole of reality so that it can address the religious problems facing our world, help to determine basic values and ethics across cultural and geographical boundaries and instill social responsibility and promote dialogue about violence, mutual respect, and world peace.
Let me again express my grateful thanks to you, our caring benefactors. In these challenging economic times, we are all the more appreciative of your generous goodness. May God reward you and all your loved ones and continue to give you much for which to be thankful.
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