Belgian Pontifical College

The Belgian Pontifical College (Dutch: Belgisch Pauselijk College, French: Collège ecclésiastique belge, Italian: Pontificio Collegio Belga) in Rome is a Belgian Catholic educational institution.[1] Founded in 1844, the college is the residence for students sent by the Bishops of the Belgian dioceses to study in Rome.

History

The college was established in 1844 by the Belgian bishops,[2] through the initiative of Monsignor Aerts, aided by Vincenzo Pecci, the Apostolic Nunciature to Belgium, nuncio in Belgium,[3] with the permission and support of Pope Gregory XVI.

At first it was located in the home of Mgr. Aerts, rector of the Belgian national Church of S. Guiliano. In 1845 the ancient monastery of Gioacchino ed Anna at the Quattro Fontane was purchased. The Belgian episcopate supports the students and nominates the rector.[4]

It has been home to many famous residents, in particular the young Karol Wojtyla residing here between 1946 and 1948 together with his friend Gustaaf Joos.[5] During his studies at Rome, Leo Joseph Suenens resided at the college and also served as the college librarian. Another famous resident was Yves Congar.

Use

The college is the residence for students sent by the Bishops of the Belgian dioceses to study in Rome. It is also the main residence of the Belgian clergy when in Rome. The students participate in the Clericus Cup.[6]

Rectors
Mgr Bonny used to be Rector until his ordination as bishop of Antwerp.
  • 1844 - 1854 Mgr. Aerts, founder and first president
  • 1851 - 1854 Mgr. Jozef Sonneville
  • 1854 - 1868 unknown.
  • 1868 - 1872 Mgr. Petrus Sacré
  • 1872 - 1878 Mgr. Victor Van den Branden de Reeth
  • 1880 - 1927 Mgr. de t’Serclaes
  • 1927 - 1945 Mgr. Oscar Joliet
  • 1946 - 1949 Mgr. de Furstenberg[7]
  • 1949 - 1962 Mgr. Jozef Devroede
  • 1962 - 1972 Mgr. Albert Prignon
  • 1972 - 1997 Mgr. Werner Quintens
  • 1997 - 2008 Mgr. Johan Bonny
  • 2009 - current: Mgr. Dirk Smet

See also

References
  1. "Le collège pontifical, 3ème s.a. C.-4ème s.p. C. : contribution à l'étude de la religion publique romaine /". Worldcat.org. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  2. "Johannes Paulus II bekendste student van het college - Het Nieuwsblad". Nieuwsblad.be. 2009-03-15. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  3. Kühne, Benno (1880), Papst Leo XIII [Pope Leo XIII] (in German), New York & St. Louis: C&N Benzinger, Einsideln. p. 52
  4. Benigni, Umberto. "Roman Colleges." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 11 January 2016 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. "Belgen in Rome | België bij de Heilige Stoel" (in Dutch). Vaticancity.diplomatie.belgium.be. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  6. Door: redactie 3/03/14 - 19u05  Bron: Belga (2014-03-03). "Belgisch pauselijk College dingt mee voor Clericus Cup". HLN.be. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  7. "Petrus J.F. Sacré, president van het Belgisch College te Rome, 1868-1872 : portret Year: 1868". Unicat.be. Retrieved 2017-06-23.

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Roman Colleges". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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