Faculty appointments and transitions
We are pleased to announce the following appointments at St. Augustine’s Seminary:
Msgr. Anthony Robert Nusca has been appointed as President of St. Augustine’s Seminary by the Board of Governors, on the recommendation of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins. His appointment is effective June 29th, 2022.
Fr. Eric Rodrigues has been appointed as Director of Spiritual Formation for the seminary and will also continue as Director of Liturgy.
Fr. Michael Corpus has been appointed as Vice-Rector, beginning June 29th, 2022.
Fr. Charles Egbulefu has been appointed as Formator of the Pre-Theology program and will now reside at Serra House. Fr. Charles will continue to be part of the academic faculty.
The following faculty members, who have served the seminary with great commitment will be transitioning to various assignments:
Fr. Charles Anang has completed his 22-year term as Director of Spiritual Formation for the seminary. Since 2000, Fr. Charles has played a significant role in strengthening the spiritual formation program at St Augustine’s Seminary. His responsibilities have included planning and booking speakers for retreats, recollections, and house meetings, as well as advising and supporting seminary spiritual directors. The seminary is truly grateful to Fr. Charles for his humble service, tireless work, and prayerful witness. Fr. Charles will continue to serve as formator, spiritual director and professor of systematic theology.
Fr. Seamus Hogan has been appointed Pastor of Merciful Redeemer Parish, Mississauga. After the completion of his doctorate in Rome, Fr. Seamus joined the Formation Faculty of the seminary in 2013. His insights regarding priestly formation, Church history and spiritual direction have been greatly appreciated over the years and the parishioners of Merciful Redeemer Parish will be blessed to have Fr. Seamus as their shepherd.
Fr. Robert Barringer, C.S.B will complete his term as President on June 30th, 2022. The seminary is very grateful for Fr. Barringer’s service to the seminary, particularly his outstanding contributions to the Toronto School of Theology (TST). Fr. Barringer’s faithful and joyful presence at seminary liturgies and social gatherings will also be missed. We wish him all the best in the future.
“The faculty, students, and staff of the Seminary are indebted to him for the wonderful work he has done here,” says Msgr. Robert Nusca, who takes over the role of President from Fr. Barringer.
Fr. Barringer certainly brought to the position of President, and previously Dean, a wealth of academic and spiritual experience. He was ordained to the Congregation of St. Basil in 1974 and has taught at various universities across Canada, the U.S., and Colombia. He was Academic Dean at St. Augustine’s from 2010 to 2014 before moving to Medellín, Colombia, to oversee the Basilian Fathers House. He was preparing for retirement when he received a call from Cardinal Collins asking him if he would take over as President at the Seminary. In obedience, he put off his retirement and accepted it in 2020.
“Fr. Barringer has been a wonderful model for the formation of our future priests,” Msgr. Nusca continues. “In addition to being a brilliant professor, he has been a great example of what it is to be a wise and holy priest, a judicious mentor, and a spiritual guide.
St. Augustine’s Rector, Fr. Edwin Gonsalves, says Fr. Barringer always took a very personal approach, which endeared him to everyone at the Seminary.
“When he first came here, Fr. Barringer made it a point to get to know each of the Seminarians by name,” he recalls. “It has been such a joy and blessing to have him here at St. Augustine’s.”
In looking forward to retirement, Fr. Barringer says he has enjoyed every minute of his time at St. Augustine’s.
“I want to tell you how much I have enjoyed my time with you here at the Seminary and how much fun I have had since the first day of my arrival,” he says.
Always humble and kind, he is also thankful for the staff and faculty and their impact on his life at the Seminary.
“I have each and every one of you to thank for the great kindness and generosity you have shown me.”
In addition to his duties as Academic Dean and President, Fr. Barringer also served as Chair of the Senior Executive Council at the Toronto School of Theology and on other committees.
Fr. Barringer also played a key role in the successful completion of the accreditation visit of the Association of Theological Schools. He was also instrumental in the recent completion of the University of Toronto Quality Assurance Program report, and he subsequently signed the Memorandum of Agreement with the University.