Rev. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary for the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, to speak | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Rev. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary for the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, to speak Rev. Friedrich Bechina, undersecretary for the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, to speak Published: March 28, 2016 Author: Michael O. Garvey Rev. Friedrich Bechina, F.S.O. Rev. Friedrich Bechina, F.S.O., undersecretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education, will give the 2016 Keeley Vatican Lecture, titled “The Holy See’s Higher Education Policy from St. John Paul II to Pope Francis,” at 5 p.m. April 6 (Wednesday) in Visitation Hall of Remick Commons at the University of Notre Dame. Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., president of the University, will introduce Father Bechina. A native of Vienna, Father Bechina served as in officer in the Austrian army and studied economics, philosophy and theology in Vienna and later at the Gregorian Pontifical University in Rome, from which he earned a doctoral degree in 1997 for his prize-winning doctoral thesis, “The Church as the Family of God.” After years serving in parishes in Austrian Diocese of Feldkirch, Father Bechina was appointed to the Congregation for Catholic Education, and in 2013 became its undersecretary. Jointly responsible for more than 2,500 Catholic institutions of higher education, Father Bechina has since 2005 managed the congregation’s international activities in the area of higher education and represented the Holy See in relevant organizations and international initiatives. Father Bechina also will preside at Mass at 11:30 a.m. April 6 in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The annual Terrence R. Keeley Vatican Lecture provides the Notre Dame community with the opportunity to interact with distinguished representatives from the Holy See and significant dioceses of Europe. Past lecturers have included Cardinal Angelo Amato, Cardinal Walter Kasper, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop Jean-Louis Bruguès, Archbishop Salvatore Fisichella and Archbishop Charles J. Brown, Apostolic nuncio to Ireland. The lecture is sponsored by the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, an integral part of the new Keough School of Global Affairs. Contact: Monica Caro, manager of operations of the Nanovic Institute, 574-631-3547, mcaro@nd.edu Posted In: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion International Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related September 09, 2020 Notre Dame signs agreement with Yad Vashem promoting Holocaust education and research August 22, 2016 Notre Dame to dedicate new center in Connemara, Ireland August 08, 2016 Paolo Carozza, director of Kellogg Institute, appointed to Vatican academy by Pope Francis July 28, 2016 Three questions with Latino theologian Peter J. Casarella June 20, 2016 Notre Dame to steward Newman University Church in Dublin For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn