Notre Dame’s Vice Chancellor Emeritus receives Papal Knighthood

Dr Peter Tannock, Vice Chancellor Emeritus of The University of Notre Dame Australia has been awarded a papal knighthood in recognition of his lifelong work for Catholic education and the Catholic Church. The Papal Honour recognises a special bond with the Pope. It is one of five pontifical orders of Papal Honour in the Catholic Church, bestowed on Catholic men and women in recognition of their service to the Church, unusual labours, support of the Holy See and the good example set in their communities and country. Dr Peter Tannock, who was appointed a Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great, received his award at the University. In awarding the Knighthood, the Archbishop noted that Dr Tannock’s contribution to Australian society has been in university life as a Professor of Education at State level, in education policy formation at national level with the Australian government and in football administration. The Archbishop also noted that he was director of Catholic education for a number of years, during which time he guided ‘enormous expansion’ of the Catholic school system in WA, framed and implemented forward-looking policy for our schools, encouraged lay formation in Christian leadership for teachers and principals and protected and fostered the Catholicity of our education system. At national level he served as chairman of the National Catholic Education Commission and in more recent years as Vice Chancellor of Notre Dame in Fremantle, Broome and, ‘in record time’, Sydney. “His awesome contribution at all levels of education, primary, secondary and tertiary, including the theological education of our seminarians, has moved the Holy Father to honour Peter with the Papal Knighthood of membership of the Order of St Gregory, whose insignia and documents of admission I gladly present to him now with my heartfelt congratulations,” the Archbishop said. Dr Tannock said that he was surprised to receive the prestigious award, and that he has loved his work for the Church over a long period of time. Media contact: Michelle Ebbs 08 9433 0610, 0408 959 13