MANILA, Philippines – Fr Rolando de la Rosa, former rector of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, is set to head the Pontifical University of St Thomas in Rome, better known as the Angelicum.

UST said De la Rosa will become the Angelicum’s first Asian rector.

The Order of Preachers, the huge Catholic religious order also known as the Dominicans, announced this Saturday, May 28.

The Order of Preachers said in a Facebook post: “He will assume his new office on the 1st of September 2016. Thanks be to God!”

On its website, UST said De la Rosa will serve as Rector Magnificus of the Angelicum for 4 years, from September 1, 2016 to 2020.

School of Pope John Paul II

Like UST, Angelicum is a Dominican-run pontifical university in Rome. A pontifical university is a school under the direct supervision of the Holy See. 

One of the Angelicum’s famous alumni is the late Pope John Paul II.

Like the Angelicum, UST is also a pontifical university. De la Rosa served as UST rector for 3 terms.

At the Angelicum, De la Rosa is set to succeed Fr Miroslav Konštanc Adam, who served as its rector until May 4. Pope Francis appointed Adam to another post at the Vatican.

Before De la Rosa was named Angelicum rector, the Pope named another Filipino Dominican and gave him an important role in the Catholic Church.

That was Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner III, head of the Dominican Order in the Philippines, who became the 4th Filipino to join the International Theological Commission. – Rappler.com