St. Augustine’s Welcomes Back Msgr. Robert Nusca as its New President
It’s a role he is familiar with, having served as the Seminary’s President-Rector for 13 years, from 2001-2014, before being re-assigned to focus on parish ministry as well as teaching. He served as Pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Toronto from 2015-2021 and then at Merciful Redeemer Parish in Mississauga, where he received the call from Cardinal Collins asking him to return to the Seminary as President.
“It’s not something I expected,” says Msgr. Nusca. “Although it was a surprise, I am looking very much forward to working with everyone – the faculty, staff, and students. We have a wonderful faculty at St. Augustine’s, and I am honoured to return as President.”
When Msgr. Nusca last held the role, the position of President-Rector was one office. Since then, the duties have been separated. In 2014, Fr. Edwin Gonsalves became the Rector, a position he still holds. Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick was named President, a position he held until he was named Bishop of Antigonish, Nova Scotia in December of 2019. Fr. Robert Barringer, C.S.B., was appointed as President in December of 2020.
“By separating the two positions, the Rector has become responsible for the admissions and evaluations, as well as the day-to-day running of the Seminary,” Msgr. Nusca explains. “The President is responsible for academic formation and the various programs offered by the Seminary. One of the initial challenges will be to launch St. Augustine’s new Licentiate in Sacred Theology, a degree recently approved by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. The S.T.L. degree in Patristic Studies is scheduled to commence in the 2023-2024 academic year.”
“These are very exciting times,” says Msgr. Nusca. While he will miss serving as Pastor, he welcomes the opportunity to help guide St. Augustine’s in its mission.
Ordained a priest in 1988, Msgr. Nusca is an alumnus of St. Augustine’s and holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical Gregorian University (1998). He completed a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.) at the Pontifical Biblical Institute (1993) and has been an Associate Professor of New Testament Studies and a member of the Seminary’s Formation Faculty since 1996.
“Owing to the fact that I have continued to teach as well as to serve on a number of committees, in a way I never really left,” he says half-jokingly. “We’ve got a great program. So, I am pleased to do my part to keep things going in the right direction as we remain true to our mission.”
Msgr. Nusca has often stated that as long as Jesus Christ remains at the centre of the Seminary’s life and mission, “all will be well.”
On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Cardinal Collins presided over the Installation Mass of Msgr. Nusca. Here is an excerpt from his Homily:
“Today, as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist on the Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle, and Evangelist, Monsignor Nusca is formally installed into the role of President. As President, Monsignor Nusca will guide the academic programs at St. Augustine’s Seminary, which has recently been granted the status of a Pontifical Faculty of Theology. He will lead the implementation of the new Licentiate in Sacred Theology in Patristics, a degree recently approved by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. He will represent the Seminary in the broader academic community, especially in the context of St. Augustine’s membership in the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto.
Finally, as President, Monsignor Nusca is a valued member of the faculty, who work together in carrying out the primary mission of St. Augustine’s Seminary, a mission that has been carried out faithfully since 1913: the work of priestly formation and preparing men for ordained priesthood in the Catholic Church.”
At beginning of his term, our President made a Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity.