The following comes from a Jan. 14 announcement on the website of the San Francisco Archdiocese.
The Archdiocese of San Francisco announces that the Most Reverend Robert Christian, O.P., auxiliary bishop of San Francisco, has been appointed rector-president of St. Patrick Seminary, effective January 14, 2019. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said, “I am excited that Bishop Christian, a man of deep love for the Church and extensive academic achievement, will be leading the seminary during its next phase of development and growth.”
Bishop Christian is a highly respected theologian and professor, holding teaching and administrative positions at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome over the past 35 years. From 1997 to 1999 he served as vicar provincial of the Western Dominican Province headquartered in Oakland, California, and in 1990 was a participant in the preparation for the Synod of Bishops on “The Formation of Priests in the Circumstances of the Present Day” and served as a peritus (expert) at that same Synod.
For the last several years Bishop Christian has served the Church as a member of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission and as a consultor to the Pontifical Commission for the Promotion of Christian Unity. During the three years before his ordination as a bishop in 2018, he served the Western Dominican Province as Student Master and as adjunct professor at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. He will continue to serve the archdiocese as auxiliary bishop, but with responsibilities accommodated to his role as seminary rector.
Archbishop Cordileone also thanked outgoing Rector-President Fr. George Schultze, S.J. “I wish to extend my deep gratitude for Fr. Schultze’s wonderful service as president-rector for the last year-and-a-half. He has done outstanding work in building up the spiritual life of the Seminary and in his leadership in stabilizing and strengthening it during this time of transition. He is and always has been a man of integrity, faithful to his Christian and priestly calling in his personal and ministerial life….”
I hope Christian Bishop Christian all the best in his new role. God knows, his people need better preachers.
OK, what is the story behind the story? Academic presidents/rectors/principals don’t typically resign or get fired during the academic year.
I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED AT FATHER SCHULTZE NO LONGER BEING THE RECTOR-PRESIDENT!
WHEN YOU HAVE THE BEST…..FORGET THE REST AS THEY SAY!! AND HE IS THE BEST.
Dont know Bishop Christian. Do know losing Rev Fr Schultze is a big loss to the Seminary. Ave Maria.
Wow. Excellent news. St Pat’s continues to strengthen …
That’s sad news. Fr Schultze is one of the finest!
God Bless Fr. Schultze for all the wonderful work he has done at St. Patrick’s. He was a true blessing! May the good Lord continue to bless and guide him in what ever is in store for him. He is the BEST!
There’s more going on here than is being officially reported. Previous press releases touted the now outgoing rector as wonderful. What changed in just over a year? As always, positive spin is put on church news that needs more explanation.
What are Fr. Schulze’s future plans? It would be nice to hear about his next assignment.
I highly doubt Fr. Schultze was “removed” nor did he resign under a cloud. I’m pretty sure his service was meant for the interim, until Bishop Christian was able to take on the task. Having a bishop as rector, especially one with his training and background, will strengthen the seminary as it continues to develop into one of the strongest formation and training institutions of the Church.
Jeff,
You are totally correct. Father Schultze knew he was only going to be there in charge for a short time.
Think of all the Seminarians he can administer to as a Spiritural Director!!! As I understand that is going to be one of his main ministries.
He got St. Patrick’s back on their moral feet and now God wants him to help the Church in other ways!
Fr. Schultze is so good at that too… one of the best. He has that aura about him that anyone he talks to knows he cares about them. Very down to earth.