A doctoral thesis on Msgr Eleuterio F. Fortino

On Thursday, March 2, a doctoral thesis entitled "A Life at the Service of Christian Unity. Eleuterio Francesco Fortino (1938-2010)" was successfully defended at the Faculty of Theology (Ecumenical Section) of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas by Rev. Alex Talarico, Delegate for Ecumenism of the Eparchy of Lungro.

From 1965 until his death Msgr. Eleuterio Fortino served in the Secretariat/Pontifical Council for Promoting of Christian Unity, becoming its Under-Secretary in 1987.The thesis, the first scholarly research on Msgr. Fortino, presents his main theological and spiritual convictions, based principally on his numerous publications.

The defence was attended, among numerous friends and relatives of Msgr. Fortino, by Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, H.E. Msgr. Donato Oliverio, Bishop of Lungro, and H.E. Msgr. Brian Farrell, Secretary of the DPCU.

At the end of the defence, the Doctoral Commission composed of Prof. Dominik Jurczak (Chairman), Prof. Hyacinthe Destivelle (Thesis Moderator) and Prof. Dimitrios Keramidas (Censor), congratulating the candidate, assessed the research worthy of the academic degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology, a title that will be awarded after its publication.

Photo: Msgr. Fortino in 2008 at the presentation of "The Silver Rose of Saint Nicholas" by the Study Center of the Eastern Churches St. Nicholas.