Father Oxley named vice rector at Josephinum |
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Tuesday, 28 September 2010 00:00 |
COLUMBUS—In August, the Pontifical College Josephinum began its 123rd year of formation with more priests on its faculty than it has had in more than a decade.
The faculty of 15 includes a priest from the Diocese of Toledo, a Jesuit, a Father of Mercy, two Dominicans, a Franciscan and priests from dioceses across the country.
Father Walter (Tad) Oxley, a priest of the Diocese of Toledo, takes the Oath of Fidelity as he accepts his new position as vice-rector of the College of Liberal Arts of the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. (Photo courtesy of the Pontifical College Josephinum)
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New faculty members took Oaths of Fidelity and made Professions of Faith during evening prayer Aug. 28, in the presence of Father James A. Wehner, rector and president, and the seminary community.
“We are grateful to the bishops and superiors of our new faculty members for releasing them for seminary formation,” said Fr. Wehner. “The church can never compromise resources when it comes to the formation of future priests.”
Toledo diocesan priest Father Walter (Tad) Oxley is the new vice-rector of the College of Liberal Arts. Fr. Oxley joined the Josephinum faculty in the fall of 2009 and has served as director of liturgy for the past year.
Fr. Oxley holds an Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from the Pontifical North American College, where he completed studies for the priesthood. Following ordination in 2003, he served as a pastor in Toledo and was an instructor in the diocese’s continuing education program. In 2005, Fr. Oxley was assigned to graduate study at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned an Doctor of Sacred Theology degree in Dogmatic Theology prior to his appointment to the Josephinum.
As vice-rector, Fr. Oxley oversees the entire formation program for the college seminarians; he succeeds then-Father Eduardo Nevares, who was named auxiliary bishop of Phoenix in May.
While meeting the practical responsibilities of his new position, Fr. Oxley hopes also to be present to the seminarians as a spiritual father.
“My desire is to generate an environment of love and life,” he said. “I want the seminarians to see in me a father who loves God, loves the church, and who loves them.”
Other new faculty members include Msgr. C. Eugene Morris, director of sacred liturgy for the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Theology; Msgr. Kevin T. McMahon, professor of moral theology; and Father Louis V. Iasiello, professor of humanities.
The responsibilities of the priest-faculty at the Josephinum are shared by permanent deacons and lay professors.
“I believe we have one of the best, most competent and qualified faculties in the country,” said Fr. Wehner, who attributes the seminary’s increased enrollment — up 10 percent from last year — to the confidence that bishops have in the Josephinum’s formation programs.
The Josephinum began the year with more than 130 seminarians — including natives of Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Columbia, Haiti and Vietnam — from 25 dioceses in the United States.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 28 September 2010 00:00 |
