A delegation from Antonine University (UA), composed of Fr. Michel Saghbiny, Rector, and Prof. Rony Darazi, Vice Rector for Cooperation and Internationalization, took part in the General Assembly of the Federation of European Catholic Universities (FUCE), held from June 4 to 6, 2025, in Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.

Hosted by KU Leuven and Université catholique de Louvain, the event brought together Catholic university leaders from Europe and Lebanon to reflect on common challenges and shared responsibilities in higher education.

This year’s assembly focused on contemporary issues facing Catholic institutions, under the overarching theme of Catholic identity in a rapidly changing world. Sessions addressed ecological and ethical responsibility, exploring how Catholic universities can respond to environmental degradation through the lens of integral ecology, as articulated in Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’.

They also tackled healthcare and resource allocation, emphasizing the moral tension between financial limitations and the ethical imperative to provide equitable, sustainable care. Lastly, the topic of student well-being and inclusion highlighted the importance of nurturing physical, mental, and spiritual health, with workshops on inclusive health practices, spiritual care, theological reflection, and even theological zoology as a means of rethinking humanity’s relationship with creation.

Through its participation, UA reaffirmed its commitment to integrating ecological awareness, inclusive care, and spiritual formation within its institutional and academic mission.

In addition to the thematic sessions, the General Assembly also marked a significant milestone for Lebanese Catholic institutions. Prof. Rony Darazi was appointed to the FUCE Board of Directors for the 2025–28 mandate, representing Lebanon’s Catholic universities on the international stage.