Belgian Pontifical College Explained

The Belgian Pontifical College (Dutch; Flemish: 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 Aerts, aided by Vincenzo Pecci, the Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium,^[3] with the permission and support of Pope Gregory XVI.

At first it was located in the home of 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

• 1844 - 1854: Aerts, founder and first president
• 1851 - 1854: Jozef Sonneville
• 1854 - 1868: unknown
• 1868 - 1872: Petrus Sacré
• 1872 - 1878: Victor Van den Branden de Reeth
• 1880 - 1927: Charles de t’Serclaes
• 1927 - 1945: Oscar Joliet
• 1946 - 1949: Maximilien de Furstenberg^[7]
• 1949 - 1962: Jozef Devroede
• 1962 - 1972: Albert Prignon
• 1972 - 1997: Werner Quintens
• 1997 - 2008: Johan Bonny
• 2009 - current: Dirk Smet

See also

• Roman Colleges

Notes and References

1. Web site: Le collège pontifical, 3ème s.a. C.-4ème s.p. C. : contribution à l'étude de la religion publique romaine / . Worldcat.org . 2017-03-30.
2. Web site: Johannes Paulus II bekendste student van het college - Het Nieuwsblad . Nieuwsblad.be . 2009-03-15 . 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. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13131a.htm Benigni, Umberto. "Roman Colleges." The Catholic Encyclopedia
5. Web site: Belgen in Rome | België bij de Heilige Stoel . nl . Vaticancity.diplomatie.belgium.be . 2017-03-30.
6. Web site: Door: redactie 3/03/14 - 19u05  Bron: Belga . Belgisch pauselijk College dingt mee voor Clericus Cup . HLN.be . 2014-03-03 . 2017-03-30.
7. Web site: Petrus J.F. Sacré, president van het Belgisch College te Rome, 1868-1872 : portret Year: 1868 . Unicat.be . 2017-06-23.