Dies starts with eucharist celebration: ‘Radboud University is still Catholic’
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Eucharistieviering bij de Dies Natalis van de Radboud Universiteit. Foto: Bert Beelen
According to the Roman authorities, Radboud University is still Catholic. That said bishop Gerard de Korte during the eucharist in celebration of Radboud University's centenary. During the service, which took place in the Molenstraatkerk this morning, Han van Krieken, who recently stepped down as rector magnificus, was also present.
The Petrus Canisiuskerk in the Molenstraat was packed with people during this morning’s eucharist in celebration of Radboud University’s centenary. The university’s birthday traditionally starts with a eucharist celebration.
The celebration was led by Gerard de Korte, the bishop of Den Bosch, who maintains contacts with the university for the Roman Catholic Church. He was assisted by student pastor Jos Geelen, the Molenstraatkerk’s priest Edouard Kimman, and student preacher Marieke Ferhout.
Emancipatory beginnings
Many prominent members of the university were present at the service, including new rector José Sanders, chair of the executive board Daniël Wigboldus, and vice-chair Agnes Muskens. Also mayor Hubert Bruls and apostolic nuncio Paul Tschang-In-Nam (a diplomatic representative of Rome) attended the celebration. Strikingly present in the room: former rector magnificus Han van Krieken, who had resigned a few weeks ago following a report of transgressive behaviour.
In his speech, bishop De Korte looked back on the emancipatory beginnings of the university. He praised Titus Brandsma, who was canonised last year. ‘Which university has its own saint?’, so the bishop. ‘Brandsma was a beacon for the search for truth. And he had to pay for that with his life.’
De Korte also reflected on the university’s Catholic identity. ‘Even though the Catholic predicate has been lost, Radboud University is still Catholic in the eyes of the Roman authorities.’
Pope Francis
That the university had been repeatedly in the media over the last weeks following multiple reports of transgressive behaviour, wasn’t lost on De Korte. ‘We hope that the university continues to work on social safety,’ according to the bishop.
In the future, the bishop would like to maintain the strong bond between the university and the church. ‘This way, the university can remain a house of truth, where Catholic and social thought is important.’ At the end of the celebration, the apostolic nuncio congratulated the university to its one-hundredth birthday in the name of Pope Francis.
Official celebration
The Dies Natalis starts at 13:30 and will include, amongst other things, speeches by the chair of the executive board Daniël Wigboldus, and student Amber Stoelman. Additionally, José Sanders will be sworn in as the new rector. The celebration can be followed via livestream. The procession that traditionally passes through the city centre prior to the Dies will not take place this year, as a result of recent reports of transgressive behaviour at the university.
Translated by Antonia Leise
