TORONTO, June 20, 2006 The Catholic Civil Rights League congratulates its co-founder, Dr. Thomas Langan, and his wife, Dr. Janine Langan, who, with others being honoured by the diocese, today received Papal Honours for their outstanding contributions to the Church.
Professor Janine Langan was named Lady of St. Sylvester for her work as adjunct professor at St. Augustines Seminary and for her coordination of the Christianity and Culture program at the University of St. Michaels College. Professor Tom Langan became a Knight of St. Sylvester for his outstanding service as a Catholic educator, and for his long-term leadership of the Catholic Civil Rights League.
We know our entire membership joins us in congratulating Tom and Janine on this happy occasion, said Phil Horgan, President of CCRL. Tom and Janine are being recognized for truly being salt of the earth and light of the world. They are respected scholars, authors, and teachers, active in their faith community, role models for thousands whose lives they have touched over the years, mom and dad to their children, grandpa and grandma to their grandchildren, and of course husband and wife.
They can take credit for bringing thousands closer to Jesus Christ, and for helping many of us to have a deeper and richer knowledge and experience of the faith. It is only fitting that they be recognized by these papal honours. However, it is really recognition of how blessed we are to have Tom and Janine in our lives.
The words of the Magnificat are appropriate. Tom and Janine truly magnify the greatness and glory of God.
Tom Langan was part of the original steering committee that established CCRL in 1985. He served as president for many years, helping to guide the organization from a loosely organized group of volunteers to a professional organization with a full-time staff and national support base. He is now President Emeritus and writes a regular column in our newsletter Civil Rights.
Professor Tom Langan was on the faculty of philosophy of the University of Toronto from 1967 to 1994, with St. Michaels College from 1978 to 1994. Dr. Langan served as chairman of the Commission on the Family for the Archdiocese of Toronto, as a member of the Board of Regents at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, Wilcox, Sask, and as a Consultor for the World Organization for the Family, Vienna. He was chairman of the Spiritual Development Committee of Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Toronto, from 1981 to 1983. He is a graduate of St. Louis University and the Institut Catholique de Paris. Dr. Langan is the author of many books.
Professor Janine Langan is a member of the faculty of philosophy at the University of St. Michaels College, University of Toronto. She was the first person named to the William J. Bennett Chair in Christianity and Culture, which was established in 1999. She was coordinator of the Christianity and Culture Programme at St. Michaels from1979 to 1987. Dr. Langan has been guest lecturer at numerous conferences throughout North America. A native of France, she received her BA from Smith College, Northampton, MA, teaching certificates from Sorbonne and the University of Toronto, and PhD from the University of Toronto.
Dr. Langan was on the Denver, 1993 World Youth Day Committee for the Toronto archdiocese, and also organized the attendance of a group of students from the University of Toronto. She attended the event with them, sleeping on the floor when necessary and participating in numerous seminars.
The Langans are both active in the Communio movement, and contribute frequently to its journal and conferences. They live in Toronto, and have five children and 11 grandchildren.
About CCRL
Catholic Civil Rights League (www.ccrl.ca) assists in creating conditions within which Catholic teachings can be better understood, cooperates with other organizations in defending civil rights in Canada, and opposes defamation and discrimination against Catholics on the basis of their beliefs. CCRL was founded in 1985 as an independent lay organization. The Catholic Civil Rights League is a Canadian non-profit organization entirely supported by the generosity of its members.