Gianfranco Ghirlanda

Gianfranco Ghirlanda was born on 5 July 1942 in Rome.[1] Ghirlanda received a laurea in jurisprudence from the Sapienza University of Rome in 1966. He worked for Fiat while earning his degree and entered the Society of Jesus upon his graduation; he was ordained a priest in 1973. He earned a bachelor's degree in sacred theology from the Gregorian University the year of his ordination, and earned a licentiate in canon law in 1975. He also earned a doctorate in canon law summa cum laude in 1978.[1]

Ghirlanda has taught courses in canon law in various faculties of the Gregorian since 1975. In 1986 he became a full professor and served as Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law from 1995 to 2004. He has served the Holy See as a consultor of various congregations and councils, and has been a judge of the Court of Appeal in Vatican City from 1993 to 2003. He has published books on canon law, and approximately 110 articles in various publications.[1]

He was appointed rector of the Gregorian University on 1 September 2004 by Pope John Paul II.[1]

On 4 July 2014, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz and Archbishop Jose Rodriguez Carballo, respectively Prefect and Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life announced Ghirlanda's appointment as papal assistant to the Legion of Christ in its ongoing attempt to complete its renewal process.[2]