Jan Vokál
Encyclopedia
Jan Vokal is the current Bishop of Hradec Králové since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
on 3 March 2011. He had previously served as an official in the Secretariat of State.
Vokal was born in 1958 at Hlinsko (Hradec Kralove). He earned a degree in Engineering Cybernetics at the Technical University in Prague. In 1983 he was admitted to the College of Saint John Nepomuk in Rome and studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Lateran University
.
He was ordained
a priest
28 May 1989 for the diocese of Hradec Králové. He continued his education in the United States at St. Thomas University and worked as assistant priest in the Diocese of Peoria. In 1991 he began his service at the Secretariat of State (Section for General Affairs). From 1992 to 2005 he was personal secretary of Cardinal Corrado Bafile, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
.
In 2008 he obtained a doctorate in utroque iure, i.e. in both civil and canon law, from the Pontifical Lateran University
and in the following year a doctorate in civil law at the Charles University in Prague
. In 2005 he was appointed a coadjutor canon of the Chapter of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
.
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 3 March 2011. He had previously served as an official in the Secretariat of State.
Vokal was born in 1958 at Hlinsko (Hradec Kralove). He earned a degree in Engineering Cybernetics at the Technical University in Prague. In 1983 he was admitted to the College of Saint John Nepomuk in Rome and studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
.
He was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
28 May 1989 for the diocese of Hradec Králové. He continued his education in the United States at St. Thomas University and worked as assistant priest in the Diocese of Peoria. In 1991 he began his service at the Secretariat of State (Section for General Affairs). From 1992 to 2005 he was personal secretary of Cardinal Corrado Bafile, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
.
In 2008 he obtained a doctorate in utroque iure, i.e. in both civil and canon law, from the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
and in the following year a doctorate in civil law at the Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague
Charles University in Prague is the oldest and largest university in the Czech Republic. Founded in 1348, it was the first university in Central Europe and is also considered the earliest German university...
. In 2005 he was appointed a coadjutor canon of the Chapter of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major , known also by other names, is the largest Roman Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy.There are other churches in Rome dedicated to Mary, such as Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Santa Maria sopra Minerva, but the greater size of the...
.