Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne confirmed as president of JPII Institute for the Family

Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne, 65, was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Nanterre in 1988. He has authored numerous publications on moral theology, theological hermeneutics of the Second Vatican Council, and ecumenism.

From 2006 to 2011, he was head of the Theologicum, the faculty of theology in Paris, before being appointed dean of the Catholic Institute of Paris from 2011 to 2021. He has held the title of monsignor since he was appointed “chaplain to His Holiness” by Benedict XVI in 2011.

In 2015, he was appointed as an expert by Pope Francis during the Synod on the Family, and again in 2018 for the Synod on Young People. In 2023 and 2024, he also served as facilitator at the two Roman assemblies of the Synod on Synodality.

In 2021, the Vatican Publishing House published an essay by Bishop Bordeyne on the question of “fragile marital situations” in light of the apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia (2016). He is also the author of several other books on this subject.

In 2023, he published the book Familles en quête de Dieu (“Families in Search of God”). Drawing on both his personal experience as a priest who has accompanied young people and couples towards marriage, and on theological reflection linked to philosophy and the humanities, the French priest develops an analysis of the contemporary challenges of family ministry in the light of Pope Francis' teaching.

The Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family is a university department located within the Pontifical Lateran University, but with its own autonomy. It specializes in societal, theological, and bioethical issues concerning marriage and the family. Founded in 1981 by the Polish pontiff, the institution continues to explore his teachings on these issues and has borne his name since 2006.

In 2019, Pope Francis approved a change to the institute's statutes, which sparked controversy. Some accused the Argentine pontiff of disdaining his predecessor's legacy by dismissing certain professors and downplaying the importance of “theology of the body” — one of John Paul II's theological teachings, particularly concerning sexuality — in favor of the humanities. The Holy See defended itself, refuting any suggestion that it was distancing itself from the intuitions of the 264th pope, while acknowledging the need for new approaches.

Cardinal Baldassare Reina, Vicar General of Rome, was appointed Grand Chancellor on May 19. Having a common Grand Chancellor for the Lateran University and the John Paul II Institute will strengthen the link with the Diocese of Rome.

Contacted by I.MEDIA, Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne explained that this link with the diocese of the Italian capital is already evident in several programs. He mentioned in particular a series of eight courses open to all the faithful, and a training course on the theme of “Leadership and Synodality,” which will be offered in the fall to the entire network of universities linked to the Holy See.

The French priest also emphasized the “international dimension” brought by this institute, which has branches in five different countries, making it an attractive option for the Pontifical Lateran University. The John Paul II Institute, which offers graduate and postgraduate courses, will nevertheless retain its autonomy.