News: Ancy D’Souza Paladka
Daijiworld Media Network

Rome, Nov 13: A Capuchin priest from Karnataka Province Fr Valerian Fernandes received doctorate in Canon Law from the University of St Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum at a function in Angelicum, here on Thursday November 10.

He got the honour for defending his Doctoral Thesis in Canon Law titled: Juridical Understanding of the Vow of Poverty Today in the Proper Law of the Capuchins. The University of St Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum, here at Rome where Blessed John Paul II also obtained his doctorate for his work, “The Doctrine of Faith according to St. John of the Cross”.

The Angelicum University conferred on Fr Valerian Fernandes O F M. Cap., the doctoral degree amidst thumping applause. It was indeed a moment of pride to all the Capuchins of the Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka, India and to the Mangalorean fraternity world-wide that one of the sons of the Konkani soil earned his laurels with grace and style. A good many Capuchins from the International College of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Rome where Friar Valerian resided as a member during the past three years, friars from the Capuchin General Curia, Rome and a number of friends and relatives of Fr. Valerian gave him a standing ovation at the grand felicitation.

On behalf of Fr Vincent G Furtado, the Provincial Minister of Karnataka and on behalf of the Capuchin Fraternity of the International College in Rome, its Vice Rector, Fr Bona Marcel Rodrigues felicitated Fr Valerian with a bouquet of flowers. His good old friend Fr Denis Veigas has coveyed his wishes saying Bravo Fratello Valeriano!