St. John’s University Mourns the Passing of Pio Cardinal Laghi

St. John’s University Mourns the Passing of Pio Cardinal Laghi

St. John’s University mourns the passing of Pio Cardinal Laghi, Vatican Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Catholic Education, who died in Rome on January 10, 2009. Cardinal Laghi was a valued friend and supporter of St. John’s and was particularly instrumental in the establishment of the University’s Rome Graduate Center.  

The Center was first established in 1994 at the Pontifical Oratory of St. Peter, a site that was under his direct supervision. As President of the Oratory, he provided invaluable assistance to the fledgling program, helping to form the Board of Advisors for the campus, serving on the Board himself for 13 years, and working tirelessly to advance the University’s presence in Rome.

At a Special Convocation in November 2000, St. John’s paid tribute to his extraordinary accomplishments in shaping Catholic education as well as his great impact on the University itself by conferring two honors upon him simultaneously, only the second time in the institution’s history that this has occurred. Cardinal Laghi received the Doctor of Laws and the University’s Gold Medal.

In commenting upon Cardinal Laghi’s death, Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., called him “a treasured friend of the University and a loyal and humble servant of the Church. As a University and faith community, we are grateful for his life.”