Charles Morerod
Encyclopedia
Charles Morerod, O.P. is a Swiss
Dominican
prelate. On 3 November 2011 he was appointed as bishop of Lausanne, Genève et Fribourg by Pope Benedict XVI. He had previously served as rector of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
(Angelicum), professor of dogmatic theology. and Secretary General of the International Theological Commission
.
, Switzerland
. He entered the Dominican novitiate
in 1983, and was ordained
a priest in 1988. He earned a licentiate
in theology from the University of Fribourg
in 1987, as well as a doctorate
in theology from the same university in 1994. He was chaplain
to the university from 1991 to 1994. In 1996, he obtained a license in philosophy, also from the University of Fribourg, and earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Toulouse
in 2004.
From 1987 to 1989 Morerod was engaged in pastoral ministry, first as a deacon and then as vice-parish priest at the parish of St. Paul in Geneva. From 1989 to 1992 he was Assistant at the Faculty of Theology, University of Fribourg from 1991 to 1994 and chaplain of the University of Fribourg. In 1993 he received his doctorate in theology and a licentiate in philosophy in 1996. From 1994 to 1999 he was adjunct professor of Fundamental Theology at the University of Fribourg and since 1996 professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Since 1997 he is editor of the edition in the French journal Nova et Vetera. In 1999 he became full-time professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. From 1999 to 2002 he also taught at the Faculty of Theology of Lugano. He was Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Theology from 2003 to 2009 and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. In 2004 he obtained his doctorate in philosophy at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse. From 2008-2011, he was also academic director of the Rome program for Catholic Studies students at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
In April 2009 he was appointed Secretary General of the International Theological Commission and Consultant of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Morerod was appointed rector of the Angelicum in September 2009. He has been secretary general of the International Theological Commission
since 22 April 2009, and consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
. A disciple of Charles Cardinal Journet
, he has written several theological articles in the review Nova et Vetera
, reflecting on the doctrinal and philosophical aspects of ecumenism
. He is also an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas
.
Since 26 October 2009, Morerod has been a member of the team responsible for the dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X
.
The Swiss Press began announcing on November 2, 2011, that Fr. Morerod would be named the next bishop of the diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Freiburg, succeeding bishop Bernard Genoud, who had died 13 months before.
Swiss (people)
The Swiss are citizens or natives of Switzerland. The demonym derives from the toponym of Schwyz and has been in widespread use to refer to the Old Swiss Confederacy since the 16th century....
Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
prelate. On 3 November 2011 he was appointed as bishop of Lausanne, Genève et Fribourg by Pope Benedict XVI. He had previously served as rector of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
The Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum, is the Dominican university of Rome, and one of the principal pontifical universities. As such, it is directly dependent on the Pope for its recognition as outlined in the Apostolic Constitution Sapientia Christiana,...
(Angelicum), professor of dogmatic theology. and Secretary General of the International Theological Commission
International Theological Commission
The International Theological Commission of the Roman Catholic Church consists of up to 30 Catholic theologians from around the world. These theologians are appointed for renewable five year terms and have tended to meet together in person once every year for a week...
.
Biography
Morerod was born on 28 October 1961 in RiazRiaz
Riaz is a municipality in the district of Gruyère in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland.-History:Riaz is first mentioned in 900 as Villa Roda. The municipality was formerly known by its German name Zum Rad, however, that name is no longer used....
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. He entered the Dominican novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
in 1983, and was ordained
Ordination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
a priest in 1988. He earned a licentiate
Licentiate
Licentiate is the title of a person who holds an academic degree called a licence. The term may derive from the Latin licentia docendi, meaning permission to teach. The term may also derive from the Latin licentia ad practicandum, which signified someone who held a certificate of competence to...
in theology from the University of Fribourg
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.The roots of the University can be traced back to 1582, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Frobourg...
in 1987, as well as a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in theology from the same university in 1994. He was chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to the university from 1991 to 1994. In 1996, he obtained a license in philosophy, also from the University of Fribourg, and earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Toulouse
Catholic University of Toulouse
The Catholic University of Toulouse is a Catholic university in Toulouse, France.-External links:...
in 2004.
From 1987 to 1989 Morerod was engaged in pastoral ministry, first as a deacon and then as vice-parish priest at the parish of St. Paul in Geneva. From 1989 to 1992 he was Assistant at the Faculty of Theology, University of Fribourg from 1991 to 1994 and chaplain of the University of Fribourg. In 1993 he received his doctorate in theology and a licentiate in philosophy in 1996. From 1994 to 1999 he was adjunct professor of Fundamental Theology at the University of Fribourg and since 1996 professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. Since 1997 he is editor of the edition in the French journal Nova et Vetera. In 1999 he became full-time professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. From 1999 to 2002 he also taught at the Faculty of Theology of Lugano. He was Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Theology from 2003 to 2009 and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. In 2004 he obtained his doctorate in philosophy at the Catholic Institute of Toulouse. From 2008-2011, he was also academic director of the Rome program for Catholic Studies students at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN.
In April 2009 he was appointed Secretary General of the International Theological Commission and Consultant of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Morerod was appointed rector of the Angelicum in September 2009. He has been secretary general of the International Theological Commission
International Theological Commission
The International Theological Commission of the Roman Catholic Church consists of up to 30 Catholic theologians from around the world. These theologians are appointed for renewable five year terms and have tended to meet together in person once every year for a week...
since 22 April 2009, and consultor of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , previously known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition , and after 1904 called the Supreme...
. A disciple of Charles Cardinal Journet
Charles Journet
Charles Journet was a Swiss Catholic theologian and cardinal.Born in Geneva, Charles Journet studied at the seminary in Fribourg before being ordained to the priesthood on July 15, 1917. He then did pastoral work in the Diocese of Fribourg until 1924, and there taught at the seminary from 1924 to...
, he has written several theological articles in the review Nova et Vetera
Nova et Vetera
Nova et Vetera is a theological review in the tradition of Thomism which focuses on contemporary issues facing the Roman Catholic Church. Published in the Swiss region of Romandy, the main language of the journal is French. It is also published in a distinct English edition founded by Matthew...
, reflecting on the doctrinal and philosophical aspects of ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
. He is also an ordinary member of the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas
Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas
The Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas was established on 15 October 1879 by Pope Leo XIII. The first Prefect was Cardinal Giuseppe Pecci a noted Thomist at the time...
.
Since 26 October 2009, Morerod has been a member of the team responsible for the dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X
Dialogue between the Society of St. Pius X and the Holy See
For a number of years after the 1988 consecrations, there was little if any dialogue between the Society of St. Pius X and the Holy See. This state of affairs ended when the Society led a large pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee in the year 2000....
.
The Swiss Press began announcing on November 2, 2011, that Fr. Morerod would be named the next bishop of the diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Freiburg, succeeding bishop Bernard Genoud, who had died 13 months before.