American College at Louvain honors U.S. Scripture scholar

Published: 2007-04-04

LEUVEN, Belgium (CNS) -- In ceremonies marking its 150th anniversary, the American College of the Catholic University of Louvain honored Father Raymond F. Collins, a noted U.S. Scripture scholar, for his contributions to the university and the American College. It gave him the Russell J. McVinney Medal, named after the Providence, R.I., bishop who was chiefly responsible for the reopening of the American College following its closure during World War II. Father Collins, who retired from The Catholic University of America last year after teaching New Testament studies there for 13 years, earned four degrees from the University of Louvain. He taught at Louvain for 25 years and was rector of the American College there from 1971 to 1978. The American College, originally founded in 1857 to form European priests for missionary work in the United States, is the oldest U.S. national seminary in Europe.

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .