Belgian Pontifical College
The Belgian Pontifical College ({{langx|nl|Belgisch Pauselijk College}}; {{langx|fr|Collège ecclésiastique belge}}; {{langx|it|Pontificio Collegio Belga}}) in Rome is a Belgian Catholic educational institution.{{cite web|url=http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-nr96044372/ |title=Le collège pontifical, 3ème s.a. C.-4ème s.p. C. : contribution à l'étude de la religion publique romaine / |publisher=Worldcat.org |date= |accessdate=2017-03-30}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/4q27pg0b |title=Johannes Paulus II bekendste student van het college - Het Nieuwsblad |publisher=Nieuwsblad.be |date=2009-03-15 |accessdate=2017-03-30}} through the initiative of Aerts, aided by Vincenzo Pecci, the Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium,Kühne, Benno (1880), Papst Leo XIII [Pope Leo XIII] (in German), New York & St. Louis: C&N Benzinger, Einsideln. p. 52 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 San Giuliano dei Fiamminghi. 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.[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13131a.htm Benigni, Umberto. "Roman Colleges." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 11 January 2016{{PD-notice}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://vaticancity.diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/belgen-in-rome |title=Belgen in Rome | België bij de Heilige Stoel |language=nl |publisher=Vaticancity.diplomatie.belgium.be |date= |accessdate=2017-03-30}} 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.{{cite web|author=Door: redactie 3/03/14 - 19u05 Bron: Belga |url=http://www.hln.be/hln/nl/957/Binnenland/article/detail/1804418/2014/03/03/Belgisch-pauselijk-College-dingt-mee-voor-Clericus-Cup.dhtml |title=Belgisch pauselijk College dingt mee voor Clericus Cup |publisher=HLN.be |date=2014-03-03 |accessdate=2017-03-30}}
Rectors
File:PROCES SCALDIS- ANTW 01.JPG
- 1844 - 1854: {{ill|Pierre-Joseph Aerts|nl}}, 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{{cite web|url=http://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=keyword:%22Belgisch%20College,%20Rome%20(1844-heden)%22&formQuery=keyword:%22Belgisch%20College,%20Rome%20(1844-heden)%22 |title=Petrus J.F. Sacré, president van het Belgisch College te Rome, 1868-1872 : portret Year: 1868 |website=Unicat.be |accessdate=2017-06-23}}
- 1949 - 1962: Jozef Devroede
- 1962 - 1972: Albert Prignon
- 1972 - 1997: Werner Quintens
- 1997 - 2008: Johan Bonny
- 2009 - 2024: Dirk Smet
- 2024 - incumbent: Geert Morlion
See also
References
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{{catholic|wstitle=Roman Colleges}}
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Category:Catholic Church in Belgium
Category:Belgium–Holy See relations