(1/27/10)  St. Bede’s Hall, in Oxford, England, announced recently that Cardinal George Pell, the Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, has become a patron of the college.  St. Bede’s is an undergraduate Catholic institution that concentrates on providing a study abroad program for international students.  The Cardinal said, “I would be honoured to serve as an honorary patron of St. Bede’s Hall… I would be delighted to assist in any way that I can and look forward to visiting St. Bede’s Hall when next I am in Oxford.”  The Cardinal wished the academic community of St. Bede’s Hall “every good wish for the success of the work.”  The news of the patronage was warmly welcomed by the Board of St. Bede's Hall, according to a press release from the college. 

In related news, St. Bede’s has developed a “bi-lateral agreement” with Campion College in Australia, another Catholic institution promoted by Cardinal Pell.  The arrangement is part of St. Bede’s focus on serving international students.  St. Bede’s has also developed a partnership with Angelicum Great Books Program, an online distance learning college in the U.S.  Angelicum students may enter St. Bede’s directly after a successful completion of the four-year Great Books Program, which students can begin as early as 9th grade.

St. Bede’s Hall, Campion College, and Angelicum Great Books Program are all included in The Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College for their strong Catholic identities.  The Guide is available as a free online resource at TheNewmanGuide.com.  Source:St. Bede’s Hall