New president to begin in July at Josephinum

The Pontifical College Josephinum, a Catholic seminary on Columbus’ Far North Side that trains priests to serve in dioceses around the world, has a new president.

The Rev. Steven P. Beseau, an assistant professor of moral theology at Cincinnati’s Athenaeum of Ohio, was appointed Tuesday as the 17th rector and president of the seminary, at 7625 N. High St.

Former Columbus Bishop Frederick Campbell, apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Columbus, announced the appointment, which was communicated through the Rev. Christophe Pierre, the pope’s ambassador to America, after he received a decree from Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Clergy in Rome.

“It is a great honor to be appointed by the Congregation for Clergy as the 17th president/rector of the Pontifical College Josephinum,” Beseau said at Tuesday’s announcement at the Josephinum. “Aware Beseau of its great history, its esteemed alumni and excellent faculty, I am grateful for and humbled by this appointment and ask for your prayers.”

Beseau was appointed after a search and interview process by a committee of the Josephinum’s board, according to a release from the college.

He replaces the Rev. Monsignor Christopher J. Schreck, who has been president since 2012 and will end his tenure June 30. He will be going on sabbatical.

Beseau will take over July 1, but celebrations will be hosted in the fall.

Beseau, a priest in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, was ordained in 1995 and attended the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Illinois as well as the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Before he came to Cincinnati in 2016, Beseau was director of a campus center, a high school chaplain and parish priest.

“It is a privilege to be a part of the formation of seminarians, equipping them to be men of faithfulness, generosity and service,” Beseau said.