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December 2004: Contents
Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., Named Rector of the Gregorian
The 2004 Colloquium participants in the Cortile at the Biblicum
Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., Named Rector of the Gregorian
The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, named noted canonist, Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, to take office September 1, 2004.
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| The Foundation Chairman, Peter Mullen, with the Gregorian's new Rector, Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J. |
Father Ghirlanda, a native of Rome, was born July 5, 1942. He received a doctorate with a specialization in Jurisprudence from the “La Sapienza” University in Rome in 1966. While in college he worked for Italian automaker FIAT in employment services.
He entered the Society of Jesus later in 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1973.
As a Jesuit, he earned from the Pontifical Gregorian University a Bachelor’s in Sacred Theology in 1973, a Licentiate in Canon Law in 1975, and a Doctorate in Canon Law in 1978, the latter two summa cum laude.
Since 1975 he has taught courses in canon law at the Gregorian’s Institute of Religious Sciences, the Faculty of Theology, and the Faculty of Canon Law. In 1986 he became a full professor and from 1995-2004 has served as Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Gregorian University.
Father Ghirlanda has served the Holy See as Consultor of various congregations and councils: the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (since 1987), the Pontifical Council for the Laity (since 1990), the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (since 1993), the Congregation for the Clergy (since 1997), the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts (since 1997), the Congregation for Bishops (since 1999), the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (since 2003). He has also been a judge of the Court of Appeal at Vatican City (1993- 2003).
He was an expert appointed to the 9th and 10th Ordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the 9th on the Consecrated Life in 1994 and the 10th on the Bishop as Servant of Jesus Christ’s Gospel in 2001.
He has published books, and 110 articles in specialized publications, on canon law as it applies to the Christian faithful, lay persons, associations, seminarians, the hierarchical Church, and consecrated life.
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| From left, Dr. Regina Cortina, Foundation Trustee, the Most Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, General of the Society of Jesus, Mrs. and Dr. Gerardo Cortina Barrena, and Lourdes Cortina celebrate the inauguration of the Rev. Fernando Bustos Barrena, S.J. Chair in Old Testament Studies. |
The Gregorian University Foundation hosted its annual Colloquium in Rome this past October. Hosted by Foundation Chairman Peter Mullen and President Rev. Robert O’Toole, S.J., the guests had a chance to spend time with the faculty and students of the Gregorian, the Biblical Institute and the Oriental Institute.
There was also a Papal Audience, and a special luncheon and reception with the Most Rev. General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, General of the Society of Jesus, celebrating the inauguration of the Fernando Bustos Barrena, S.J. Chair in Old Testament Studies.
Colloquium guests also met United States Ambassador to the Holy See & Mrs. R. James Nicholson in their residence overlooking Vatican City and Rome. And with all of these activities, there was still time for private tours of the Roman Forum and the Sistine Chapel.
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Left, Rev. James Dugan, S.J., Librarian at the Biblicum led a tour of the library. |
| At right, the Biblicum's library reading room, filled with Colloquium guests. |  |
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Left, Rev. Hèctor Vall, Rector of the Oriental Institute, Mr & Mrs. Carrol Muccia and Foundation Trustee Ellen Shafer. |
| Right, student Bruna Velcic of Croatia makes a presentation at the Biblical Institute. |  |
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Left, Rev. Robert O’Toole, S.J., President of the Foundation and Rev. James Swetnam S.J. of the Biblicum. |
| At right, Colloquium participants, Maureen Gibbons and Barbara McGinn. |  |
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At left, Colloquium guest Mary McCooey with Foundation Trustee James Miscoll. |
| Right, Rev. George Sullivan, S.J., Foundation Vice President, with Pat and John Figge. |  |
Obviously, my “word” to all of you has to be one of thanks, thanks for your goodness and concerned interest in what the Gregorian University Consortium and the three world-class schools that comprise it have done and are doing for the Church and for the various peoples who benefit from their intellectual activity and the service of their graduates. Your financial support and friendship surely help to make possible the fruitful service which the Pontifical Gregorian University (“Greg”), the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum) and the Pontifical Oriental Institute (Oriental) render the people of God in almost every nation on our planet. To be sure, our thanks goes first to God, but God works through human instruments, and you have been and are his instruments in making possible much of the good that these three fine institutions do.
When at Thanksgiving all of us here in the United States thanked God for all that he has done for our country, we knew that our gratitude was definitely justified. Upon reflection we also were well aware that many of the things for which we have to be thankful came through human agents. Statesmen, politicians, intellectuals and religious leaders, both men and women, have through their dedicated efforts achieved many of our blessings. However, the same is true of you who have valued and supported the three excellent academic institutions which constitute the Gregorian University Consortium. Certainly, we thank God, but our gratitude has to go out to each of you, our benefactors, who have been God’s instruments in assisting these institutions in their carrying out their ministries.
Recently, we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King; this feast brings our liturgical year to an end. Obviously, there are all kinds of ways of actualizing the Kingdom and so many areas of human existence which can benefit from our volunteering or charitable activity. At times, I am quite uncomfortable with the expression of “charitable” activity. My main reason is that “charitable” does not seem to communicate the notion that through our good deeds we are really sharing in the love which St. John tells us God himself is (1 John 4:8). Our love makes us like God, and through our loving activity we become more like him and assist him in bringing about the Kingdom. Nonetheless, that still leaves us with the challenge of deciding what God wants us to do with the talents and the material resources we have. We are deeply grateful that you have decided to include the Gregorian University, the Biblicum and the Oriental among your other charities. Some of you have graciously given priority in your giving to one or all of these excellent academic institutions. We believe that in so doing you have acted prudently and wisely, and I would like to share with you a recent experience.
Everyone likes to get the most for his or her money. Recently, one of our Board Members, an expert in finances (we have many such qualified persons on our Board) asked us to get a copy of the overall budget of the Gregorian University, which we did. He had a number of beneficial observations to make but was amazed that presently the Gregorian University, in comparison with other academic institutions which he knew, was able to achieve so much for such a comparatively small amount of money. This same observation holds for the Biblicum and the Oriental. In other words, every dollar that you contribute in support of the Greg, the Biblicum or the Oriental is a gift that will provide you with an excellent return. It is a wise and prudent use of your resources.
As we thank God for all that he has done for the Gregorian University Foundation and the three outstanding Catholic academic institutions it represents, we have to thank you who have been his generous instruments. Your willingness to include us in your concerned and loving interest in the Church and even to place us among your priorities in your imitation of God’s loving generosity is truly encouraging. It enables us, too, to imitate the love of God and to serve the very talented students he sends us. We are most appreciative of your goodness and your friendship and know that God will surely be as generous toward you as you have been toward the Gregorian University, the Biblicum and the Oriental.
Affectionately and gratefully, in Him,
The Gregorian University:
Appointments made by Rev. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, S.J., Rector of the Gregorian University:
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