Good news of one individual from Notre Dame

ND theology prof receives papal honor
Tribune Staff Report SOUTH BEND --

John C. Cavadini, professor and chair of the theology department at the University of Notre Dame, has been named by Pope Benedict XVI a member of the Order of the Knights of St. Gregory the Great.

It is a high papal honor. The honor was bestowed by the pope at the request of the Most Rev. John M. D'Arcy, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great was established in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI. It is one of five pontifical orders of knighthood in the Catholic Church. The order is bestowed on men and women in recognition of their service to the church, support of the Holy See, and for setting a good example in their country and communities.

"In an age when some theology is ever more necessary for the life of the Church, Professor Cavadini has avoided the trendy and the superficial," D'Arcy said in a written statement announcing the honor.

The bishop lauded Cavadini for his devotion to the study and teaching of theology, for renewing and strengthening Notre Dame's theology department, for organizing retreats and seminars for Catholic bishops, and for many other achievements.

Cavadini is director of Notre Dame's Institute for Church Life. In September he was appointed by the Rev. John I. Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, as co-chair of a new campus Task Force on Supporting the Choice for Life.

Cavadini earned a bachelor's degree at Wesleyan University, a master's degree at Marquette University, and a master's degree and doctoral degree at Yale University. He is the author or editor of several books.

Among those who have previously been honored with membership in the Order of the Knights of St. Gregory the Great: entertainer Bob Hope, actor Ricardo Montalban, media baron Rupert Murdock, Irish tenor Frank Patterson and publisher/philanthropist Walter Annenberg.