St. Gregory’s University announced this week a new collaborative emphasis on its mission and identity – the Office of Faith, Integration, Development and Evangelization (FIDE), Latin for: for the faith. University officials said the initiative is in direct response to the Holy See’s call for renewed fidelity to the Roman Catholic character of its more than 400 colleges and universities around the world.

Father Nicholas Ast, O.S.B., SGU Vice President for Mission and Identity, said that as a Catholic University, St. Gregory’s, “…has a relationship to the Church that is essential to its institutional identity” (Ex corde Ecclesiae 27).  He said FIDE seeks to enhance that relationship and “promote the witness of Christ, who is the Word made flesh, as it permeates all aspects of the university.”

The opportunities for FIDE will center on collaboration with campus offices, with particular emphasis on recruitment of new students, and connecting with Church offices and with various external communities. The university’s ultimate goal for FIDE is to respond to the United States bishops’ call to look to the signs of the times and respond to the needs of the Church by meeting the needs of students in the world today and inspiring generations yet to come.

The office will be led by two SGU alumni from 2006: Br. Simeon Spitz, O.S.B., and Marvin Bennett. Fr. Nicholas said both are committed to an authentic witness of their faith and loyal to the Church and its service.

“Br. Simeon and Marvin will bring to FIDE energy, commitment and orthodoxy that fits with our traditions of faith and service,” Fr. Nicholas said. “FIDE presents a positive response to the challenge that Abbot Lawrence articulated in his homily during the Mass for Dr. Marker’s installation as president of St. Gregory’s University. In order to be true to our mission, our Catholic identity must inform everything we do as a university community.”

St. Gregory’s University is an authentically Roman Catholic University providing a liberal arts curriculum and professional programs to students in Shawnee, Tulsa and Oklahoma City.  Founded in 1875, St. Gregory’s is Oklahoma’s oldest institution of higher learning.  Further information regarding St. Gregory’s University can be found at www.stgregorys.edu or by calling 1-888-STGREGS.