Br. Peter Bray, the Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University in the Holy Land, has received a prestigious Papal honor as he prepares to step down from his role at the end of the year. During a recent visit to Rome, Br. Peter was presented with the Papal Cross of Honor.
The New Zealand Bishops’ Conference issued a statement in which they said “Ka pai and warmest congratulations to our very own Br Peter Bray FSC – Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University – on being awarded the Papal Cross of Honor – officially the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (“For the Church and the Pope”) – one of the highest honours that the Pope can bestow upon the laity and religious. Br Peter received the award from Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, during a recent visit to the Vatican.” Read complete statement
Br. Peter, a member of the De La Salle teaching congregation, describes his 15 years at Bethlehem University as both an amazing blessing and the most challenging job of his career. He expresses gratitude for the opportunity to witness the spirit of God at work among the young people at the university.
Br. Peter’s tenure as Vice Chancellor was initially planned for five years but was extended multiple times, reaching a total of 15 years. Following a proposal by Brother Armin Altamirano Luistro, FSC, the Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers, Br. Hector Hernán Santos González, a native of Paraguay, has been nominated as the new Vice Chancellor, and he will be present for Bethlehem University’s 50th Jubilee celebrations on 1 October 2023, however he will assume full responsibility on 1 January 2024 as the ninth vice chancellor of Bethlehem University.