Speaking about Fr Riu, to whom the unusual distinction was made of awarding an “Extraordinary” Prize, Councillor Maragall affirmed that this recognition “ought to have been given a long time ago,” and that “it is meant to be some reward not only for the management of an educational system, but for establishing a style of teaching.” The Councillor concluded: “Catalonia can be proud of a person like you.”
Francesc Riu became a Salesian in 1952; between 1973 and 1976 he was Vice Provincial of the Salesian “Spain-Barcellona” Province and in 1975 he was made responsible for ongoing formation at the Blanquerna University School; in this position he organised a study day on the role of Catholic education in the modern world, which led to the creation in 1977, of the Secretariat for the Christian School in Catalonia. Fr Riu held the role of Secretary of this institute until 2005, in the meantime promoting its transformation from a Secretariat to a Foundation.
In addition he has been a member of the General Committee for Catholic Education and of the Diocesan Pastoral Committee of the Archdiocese of Barcellona; General Delegate for Christian Education of the same archdiocese; and between 1995 and 2004, Director of the Inter-diocesan Secretariat for the teaching of the Catholic Religion in Catalonia.
At present he is the Superior of the Salesian community of Sarriá (Barcellona),
Director of International Relation of the Edebé Foundation and President of the Rinaldi Foundation. Finally Fr Riu is the author of over 20 publications connected with various areas of education.
Published 12/10/2009
