August 14, 2009

Vicar judicial receives Saint Meinrad Distinguished Alumnus Award

Msgr. Frederick Easton, archdiocesan vicar judicial, poses on Aug. 4 at Saint Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad while wearing the Distinguished Alumnus Award he received from the seminary during its 81st annual alumni reunion. (Photo courtesy of Saint Meinrad Archabbey)

Msgr. Frederick Easton, archdiocesan vicar judicial, poses on Aug. 4 at Saint Meinrad School of Theology in St. Meinrad while wearing the Distinguished Alumnus Award he received from the seminary during its 81st annual alumni reunion. (Photo courtesy of Saint Meinrad Archabbey)

Criterion staff report

Msgr. Frederick Easton, archdiocesan vicar judicial, received Saint Meinrad School of Theology’s Distinguished Alumnus Award at the 81st annual Saint Meinrad Alumni Reunion on Aug. 4 in St. Meinrad.

Msgr. Easton is a graduate of the former Saint Meinrad High School and College.

“When I was told that I was receiving the award, I was almost knocked off my chair,” said Msgr. Easton. “This is such a positive affirmation of what I’ve been able to do in service to the Church, and it’s coming from my alma mater, which had such a role in my formation.”

Ordained in 1966, Msgr. Easton has led the archdiocese’s Metropolitan Tribunal since 1980. He has also served as the secretary, vice president and president of the Canon Law Society of America (CLSA).

Msgr. Easton has been involved through the CLSA with numerous issues surrounding diocesan policies regarding sexual abuse. In 2003, he received the Role of Law Award given annually by the CLSA. He is also a member of the Canon Law Society of Great Britain and Ireland, and the author of several books.

In 1954, he became a student at Saint Meinrad High School. He attended Saint Meinrad College from 1958-60, before transferring to St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pa., where he earned a degree in scholastic philosophy.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore, Md. In 1969, he earned a licentiate in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome. †

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