ACU leader receives Papal Knighthood

AUSTRALIAN Catholic University (ACU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven has been appointed to the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great.

In an investiture ceremony in Sydney on December 6, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP installed Professor Craven in the ancient Order of Knighthood of the Holy See, in recognition of his services to the Catholic Church in Australia. Only six other Australians have received this honour.

In his speech, Archbishop Fisher spoke of the many years of dedicated and faithful service that Professor Craven has given, not only to the advancement of Catholic higher education in Australia, but also to the many and varied ways that he has lent his wisdom and intellect to the Church more generally through service on numerous advisory boards and committees, including the National Catholic Education Commission and the Truth, Justice and Healing Council.

Archbishop Fisher said Professor Craven encapsulated the true spirit of the Second Vatican Council and its call for greater lay collaboration in the mission of the Church.

ACU Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven has been appointed to the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Gregory the Great. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

“Greg Craven is an immensely gifted man, a man of faith, a loyal son of Christ; a distinguished exemplar of Vatican II’s teaching about the role of Catholic laity in the world,” Archbishop Fisher said.

Receiving the award was both a great honour and a humbling experience, Professor Craven said.

“The thing that pleases me most is that the award really marks not anything I personally have done but the emergence of ACU in its 25th year as one of the leading Catholic universities in the world,” he said.

Pope Gregory XVI established the Order of St Gregory the Great in 1831. It is bestowed upon Catholic men and women in recognition of their personal service to the Holy See and to the Catholic Church through their work, their support of the Holy See, and their exemplary faith in action in their communities.